3D Zebra Stripe Crosswalk in Iceland Slows Traffic with Stunning Optical Illusion

3d crosswalk in iceland creates an optical illusion

The use of illusion in art is nothing new, but a small town in Iceland is using the effect to help with public safety and traffic issues. In the small fishing village of Ísafjörður, a 3D pedestrian crossing was painted last month in an effort to slow traffic on a narrow street. The eye-popping illusion gives the effect of walking on air as pedestrians move from one side of the street to the other.

Environmental commissioner Ralf Trylla came up with the idea after seeing a similar project in New Delhi, India. Trylla was researching creative ideas on how to slow traffic when he stumbled upon the India project and came together with street painting company Vegmálun GÍH to create the effect. They experimented for several weeks before perfecting the technique and painting the crosswalk.

The visual effect is striking, as the optical illusion shifts depending on your perspective. From the air, the white stripes jump up, making them appear as a column of walls. While at ground level, the bars seem to hover just above the ground. Right now the project is experimental, with the town seeing what effect the creative zebra crossing will have before deciding if they'd like to roll out more in other areas of the village.

In Iceland, a 3D crosswalk is making the streets safer—and more fun to cross—by slowing down traffic.

3d crosswalk in iceland

aerial view of 3d zebra crossing in iceland

After weeks of practice, the optical illusion took shape on the road.

3d zebra crossing painting in progress

Photo: Ágúst G. Atlason


Environmental commissioner Ralf Trylla suggested the idea after discovering the success of a 3D crossing in New Dehli, India.

h/t: [swissmiss, this isn't happiness]

All images via Gústi Productions except where noted.

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Staff Editor and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book "Street Art Stories Roma" and most recently contributed to "Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini." You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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