Color Surface Treatments

Usage: Standard*

Color Surface Treatments (CST) are any treatment that alters the color of the roadway to visually delineate the roadway surface for designated uses and serve as a guide to all road users.

Generally, color surface treatments are used to delineate pedestrian areas, bike lanes, and bus lanes.

*These treatments are installed and maintained by DOT or DOT-approved contractors. All installations are subject to DOT oversight to ensure compliance with design and performance standards.

Pedestrian Areas

Groups of people crossing a street

Clinton Avenue and Fulton Street, Brooklyn

Painted pedestrian area

34th Avenue and 70th Street, Queens

Painted mural pedestrian area

Victory Boulevard and Corson Avenue, Staten Island

Bike Lanes

Crew painting a bike lane

Frankfort Street, Manhattan

cyclist riding in bike lane

9th Avenue, Manhattan

Crew painting a bike lane

West Village, Manhattan

Bus Lanes

bus lane installation

Queens

Picture of a bus lane

Riverside Drive, Manhattan

Painting bus lane

West Village, Manhattan

Benefits

  • These markings effectively mitigate conflicts, enhance efficiency, and bolster overall safety
  • Significantly enhance safety, mitigate congestion, and cultivate a more streamlined and effective transportation system
  • Functioning as visual indicators of road layout and potential dangers, they adeptly manage traffic flow and guide users
  • Play a pivotal role in protecting pedestrians and micro-mobility users by providing tailored areas that meet their needs and a safe journey for everyone

Considerations

  • Follow established industry standards and local regulations
  • Color Surface Treatments need to be durable and long-lasting, so they do not fade or wear away quickly

Application

  • See Color Surface Treatments Table for specific application guidance
  • Asphalt Art may be used in-lieu of Color Surface Treatments for pedestrian space based on approval by DOT Art and an engineering review. See DOT Art Program
  • Markings should be applied consistent with the MUTCD, unless otherwise approved by DOT

Design

Specification source: DOT Standard Specifications Section 6.44 CST

Detail source: DOT Typical Pavement Marking Details TBL-2, TBUS-1, and related

  • Follow established industry standards and local regulations

Maintenance

  • DOT generally maintains this material
  • Regular maintenance and inspection are necessary to ensure they remain visible, legible, and effective in guiding drivers and pedestrians

Color Surface Treatments Table

As of June 5, 2024

Spread-Applied Markings (methyl methacrylate) Spread-Applied Markings (epoxy gravel)
Ideal Application
  • Color surface treatment for bike or bus lanes
  • Color surface treatment for pedestrian areas, bike or bus lanes
Ideal Surface
  • Asphalt
  • Asphalt
Advantages
  • Quicker to apply than epoxy gravel
  • Long-Lasting
  • Can be a mix of several individual colors
Disadvantages
  • Waterblasting is always required
  • Not as long-lasting as epoxy gravel
  • Waterblasting is always required
  • Difficult to remove without resurfacing