It’s an internationally recognized fact: colored intersections are safer. According to a study conducted by Sam Schwartz, a New York-based traffic research company, partially or fully painting intersections results in a 50% reduction in accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists, a 37% decrease in serious accidents, and a 27% increase in drivers yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks – which theoretically is already mandatory in Italy but is rarely observed.

Milan is also starting to conform to this practice, renewing its horizontal road signage, starting from the city center, around Corso Monforte, Via Visconti di Modrone, and Via San Damiano. However, this initial sign of change towards safer conditions for cyclists and pedestrians has sparked controversy despite the recent fatalities – 11 pedestrians and 5 cyclists dead. The intersection has been labeled as a “crazy intersection”, a “maze”, a “puzzle”, and a “Tetris”. The coloring has also changed the face of the crossings of the bicycle path in Corso Buenos Aires, which is the most symbolic one among the few implemented so far by the municipality.

In reality, painting asphalt is one of the best solutions recommended worldwide by traffic engineering to reduce road violence, and it was high time for a city like Milan to adopt it. It’s a small yet necessary change that has a profound impact on the quality of life for all residents and visitors of the city.

Cover image is courtesy of Babak Habibi on Unsplash.