ORLANDO, Fla. — New murals are showing up at intersections in downtown Orlando that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also serve a purpose.

What You Need To Know

  • The city of Orlando is adding art to intersections, curb extensions and crosswalks in the downtown area

  • Local artist Justin "SKIP" Skipper is designing the artwork to draw attention to the pavement

  • A Bloomberg Philanthropies study found asphalt art resulted in a 50% drop in the rate of crashes involving pedestrians

  • City of Orlando plans to study the effectiveness of the asphalt art before adding more

At Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard, the intersection shows two swans, which are iconic symbols for the City Beautiful.

The designs are the brainchild of local artist Justin "SKIP" Skipper.

“I don’t know if looking out at traffic while you’re driving is probably the most advisable thing to do but maybe the collective everyone slowing down a little bit and being able to appreciate what’s there will allow them all to be driving a little, maybe less recklessly,” said Skipper, who owns A Pivotal Character Artworks and Design. “Maybe paying attention hopefully to what they’re doing at the same time they’re driving.”

Skipper is also creating artwork for painted curb extensions and crosswalks.

Laura Hardwicke, Orlando's safe mobility manager, said highly visible intersections, crossings, and curb extensions alert drivers to pedestrian locations.

She said that’s why the city of Orlando gave the go-ahead for the intersection mural project.

“It draws your attention to the roadway,” Hardwicke said. “It takes us out of our sort of auto pilot world when we see something new and colorful on the roadway, and that increases what we call driver engagement. So, it just activates your brain a little differently and it makes you aware of your surroundings.”

Bloomberg Philanthropies conducted a study in 2022 that found municipalities that installed asphalt art saw a 50% year-over-year drop of in the rate of crashes involving pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. The study also found that when there is a crash involving a pedestrian, there was a 37% decrease in injuries where art asphalt was installed.

“Everybody will be able to benefit,” said Skipper. “Whether you’re walking or whether you’re using a bus downtown, or one of the many scooter options.”

Some local municipalities have been hesitant to install asphalt art, but updates late last year to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices — the guidelines most states and cities follow — permit colored pavement.

The city of Orlando plans to study the effectiveness of the asphalt art before adding more.