Brussels, Belgium – The municipality of Saint-Gilles has unveiled a striking new initiative to improve road safety near one of its busiest hubs.
Bright blue and yellow circles now adorn the Chaussée de Waterloo at the entrance to the bustling Parvis of Saint-Gilles, aiming to encourage motorists to slow down in the pedestrian-heavy zone. However, experts and residents remain uncertain about its long-term effectiveness.
As a designated “meeting zone,” the Parvis allows pedestrians to use the entire public roadway, crossing freely to reach landmarks such as the church.
Road users must adhere to a strict 20 km/h speed limit in this area, but compliance has been inconsistent. The municipality hopes the eye-catching polka-dot pattern will serve as a visual cue, prompting drivers to be more cautious.
“This has been an old project since the renovation of the Parvis,” Saint-Gilles Mayor Jean Spinette (PS) told The Brussels Times.
“Unfortunately, standard signage isn’t always respected. We needed something more noticeable to remind everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists—that they share this space.”
The road surface was recently repaired after sustaining damage from buses, and once this work was completed, Saint-Gilles Deputy Mayor for Mobility and Public Spaces Catherine Morenville (Ecolo) and her team implemented the painted design.
Spinette noted that the choice of yellow and blue reflects the colours of the municipality, the Brussels region, and the local football club, Union Saint-Gilloise.
The Science Behind ‘Nudging’
The concept behind the polka-dot design aligns with traffic psychology principles known as “nudging,” which use visual elements to subtly influence driver behaviour.
Similar approaches, such as 3D pedestrian crossings, have been used to make roads appear less predictable, thereby prompting motorists to slow down.
Stef Willems, a spokesperson for road safety institute Vias, noted that while such initiatives can be effective initially, their impact tends to diminish over time.
“These methods often cause drivers to reduce speed at first, but once they become familiar with the markings, the effect wears off,” Willems explained.
He added that asphalt art projects have been linked to fewer accidents, though not necessarily to reduced speeds.
“The key question is whether these yellow and blue circles will be enough to make a lasting difference,” Willems said. “Such interventions work best when used sparingly—if every street had similar markings, drivers would quickly become desensitised.”
Mixed Reactions and Additional Measures
Since the project’s announcement, social media reactions have been divided. Some residents have praised the initiative, hoping it will enhance safety and bring vibrancy to the area. Others argue that authorities should prioritise fixing road conditions and addressing broader security concerns instead.
Regardless of public opinion, Saint-Gilles officials maintain that the polka-dot intervention is just one step in a broader strategy to improve road safety.
The municipality has confirmed plans to install speed cameras in the Parvis area to complement the visual markings, ensuring stricter enforcement of speed limits.
With the initiative now in place, the coming weeks will reveal whether this unconventional approach makes a lasting impact on driver behaviour—or if it simply fades into the urban landscape, both literally and figuratively.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
