March 2024
Los Angeles, California, Reaffirms Commitment to Bike Safety with Next-Generation Road Coatings
ENNIS-FLINT® by PPG MMAX® Extended Season Area Markings Transforms Bike Lanes with Uniquely Colored, Long-Lasting Markings
With palm-lined boulevards, glamorous neighborhoods and iconic landmarks, the City of Los Angeles is also notorious for congested roadways and poor traffic conditions. Consider the numbers: 7.6 million registered cars, 650 miles of freeways and nearly 6 million parking spots. The infamous gridlock in the world’s entertainment capital has pushed more commuters towards eco-friendly transportation options, including bicycles.
To relieve traffic congestion and improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians, the city committed to the expansion of bike lanes and dedicated pathways in several metropolitan areas. As part of that effort, Los Angeles made a strategic choice when it came to pavement markings by tapping into an innovative material solution that is engineered for enhanced visibility and durability.
Engineered for Durability
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation specified ENNIS-FLINT® by PPG MMAX® Extended Season area markings for the project. Crews applied the area markings to a 2.9-mile stretch of bike lanes between Victory Boulevard in the south and Parthenia Street in the north. Application began in late 2023. Crews completed the transformation of the bike lanes within six weeks. MMAX Extended Season area markings use methyl methacrylate resins and colorfast pigments, resulting in a durable coating that will last for several years.
This innovative material, which provided a high-visibility, skid-resistant coating, was applied on a quick timeline, vital for the congested city. Thanks to MMAX Extended Season area markings being capable of application to pavement surfaces as hot as 150°F (66°C), crews had an easy time applying the coating to the roadway. Additionally, the product offered applicators triple the working time of other MMA products on surfaces at 110°F (43°C) or more, which allowed enough time for proper squeegee and back roll application for a skid-resistant texture.
“MMAX Extended Season area markings are a multifaceted investment to help improve bicyclist safety that delivers long-term value,” said Maria Wang, PPG director, product management – liquid coatings, Traffic Solutions. “Because it can be applied on a quick timeline and when the thermometer is running high, MMAX Extended Season area markings are the ideal fit for municipalities in warmer climates and high traffic zones, making this the perfect solution for Los Angeles.”
Film-Friendly Looks
With Los Angeles being the global hub of the entertainment industry, city planners were under pressure to consider how road coatings might impact the film and television production. They learned that the typical shade of green used in other cities would interfere with the visual aesthetics sought by film crews.
The city worked closely with PPG to specify MMAX Extended Season area markings in a custom shade of green that would be friendlier to the camera lens.
Dubbed “Hollywood Green,” the dark green coating color struck the necessary balance between commuter visibility and the needs of the city’s most famous industry.
Much-Needed Safety Benefits
Given that more than 85% of the city’s bicycle fatalities have occurred on roads without dedicated bike lanes, the changes implemented by the City of Los Angeles are a welcome addition to longtime residents who navigate the city by bicycle. Thanks to the use of MMAX Extended Season pavement markings, bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists will benefit from a long-lasting, non-slip coating that can easily withstand high-traffic environments. Ultimately, the city is expected to realize a long-term return on its investment in keeping pedestrians, motorists and cyclists safer.
