Shanghai's streets will become a little more colorful this year, as the city has decided to pave red asphalt on some roads to differentiate between special lanes, such as those reserved for buses or cyclists, and regular lanes.

After a series of tests, traffic experts decided that red is the most noticeable color for dividing traffic lanes.

"A colorful road surface will be easier to identify and thus can keep traffic in better order," said Zhang Xiaopan of the Shanghai Engineering Administrative Bureau.

He said the bureau hasn't decided where it will first use the colorful asphalt, but it will likely by used first to mark out bus-only lanes. Zhang said the city is still selecting the appropriate construction material to pave road surface in addition to asphalt.

According to Zhu Minqiang, a road construction expert, colored roads have become quite popular in several Western countries, such as Britain, Germany and the Netherlands.

"The different road colors can better divide lanes for vehicles, public buses and cyclists," said Zhu.

He said the new technology will help keep local traffic in better order.

Not everyone is happy with the colorful plan.

"This will definitely take a long time, making the city's traffic situation even worse," said taxi driver Huang Youfu.

(Shanghai Daily April 18, 2006)