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CC-ACTION ITEM: Discussion and Direction Regarding the Usage of Green Pavement Markings for Bicycle Facilities.
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Meeting Date: March 9, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Thomas Check/Public Works Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5627
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Notification: E-Mail: Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/04/2026)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/City Engineer, (02/18/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding the usage of green pavement markings for bicycle facilities.
BACKGROUND
The color of pavement markings used on public roadways-including white and yellow lane lines, green bike lanes, and red bus lanes-is regulated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 23 CFR Part 655. Rather than specifying a discrete color, the FHWA specifies an acceptable area of the color spectrum-known as a color box- for each approved color. This approach allows for variations in the manufacturing process and accounts for in-service wear based on UV exposure and traffic, which can darken or fade colors over time. To remain compliant, colored pavement markings must stay within their defined color box throughout their service life. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that road markings, and the regulations that they convey, remain consistent nationwide and serve their intended purpose.
Since 2017, the City has used a darker shade of green for bicycle lane markings, referred to in this report as “deep green.” This shade is on the edge of the FHWA’s color box, but darker than what the public typically associates with green bicycle facilities. It was developed by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) in coordination with the film industry in response to concerns that a brighter shade would be more difficult to edit out during post-production.
DISCUSSION
Members of the City Council, Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Mobility Subcommittee, and active transportation community have raised concerns about the use of deep green for bicycle facilities. Concerns are primarily focused on how the color is not as visible, particularly at night, and potential non-compliance with FHWA specifications.
In response to these concerns, staff from the Public Works Department Mobility & Traffic Engineering Division researched the deep green color specification developed by a leading pavement marking manufacturer. The specification defines a significantly smaller color box that is largely constrained to the darkest portion of the color box defined by the FHWA, with a portion falling outside the FHWA color box entirely.
The FHWA first approved green pavement markings for bike lanes in 2011 and defined a color box accordingly. In 2016, the FHWA published an interpretation letter regarding the requirements for green pavement markings. Based on industry tests of several green pavement marking materials, the FHWA found that they initially produced colors within the 2011 color box, but that “their color gradually fell below the lower end of the published color box” after undergoing UV exposure testing.
Based on these findings, the FHWA expanded the limits of the approved color box for green pavement markings “in order to ensure that field installations of green-colored pavement are uniform throughout their service life.” The color box specification for deep green sits at the bottom of this expanded color box. Pavement markings installed in accordance with the deep green specification are likely to fall out of compliance shortly after installation.
Based on the analysis above, the specification for deep green is positioned at the lowest edge of the FHWA’s expanded color box and appears likely to fall outside of federal tolerance within 1-2 years after installation. Continued use of this specification may undermine the intended safety and visibility benefits of green pavement markings or increase the City’s costs due to the need for frequent reapplication to be consistent with the FHWA standard.
Staff is seeking Council direction regarding the color standard to use for green pavement markings moving forward.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this item. There may be a fiscal impact depending on Council’s direction.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
recommended motion
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
Discuss and provide direction regarding the usage of green pavement markings for bicycle facilities.