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Pedestrian Crossing Islands

Definition

Located on the roadway between opposing lanes of traffic, pedestrian crossing islands separate pedestrians from vehicles at intersections or mid-block locations. They are typically raised medians or islands, though lower-cost versions can be made of pavement markings only. Crossing islands can also be referred to as center islands, refuge islands, or pedestrian islands.

Benefits

  • Reduces pedestrian crashes by up to 46% at marked crosswalksiFederal Highway Administration Office of Safety. Proven Safety Countermeasures. Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands in Urban and Suburban Areas.
  • Reduces motor vehicle crashes by up to 39% at unmarked crosswalksiFederal Highway Administration Office of Safety. Proven Safety Countermeasures. Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands in Urban and Suburban Areas.
  • Provides pedestrians a safe place to stop midway across the road
  • Increases visibility of pedestrian crossings, particularly at unsignalized crossingsiFederal Highway Administration Office of Safety. Proven Safety Countermeasures. Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands in Urban and Suburban Areas.
  • Provides a cost-effective option to curb extensions because drainage problems are not as common in the center of the roadway
  • Helps lower vehicle speeds approaching pedestrian crossings
  • Provides space for supplemental signage on multilane roadways

 

Considerations

  • Balancing competing needs within a limited roadway width
  • Crossing islands at intersections or near driveways may affect left-turn accessiFederal Highway Administration Office of Safety. Traffic Calming. 25: Crossing Islands.
  • Crossing islands may affect operations of wide-load vehiclesiFederal Highway Administration Office of Safety. Pedestrian Countermeasure Policy Best Practice Report.

Appropriate Contexts

  • Marked and unmarked crosswalks adjacent to transit stops, between pedestrian origins and destinations, and in areas with significant foot traffic
  • Areas with many school children, seniors, or other vulnerable pedestrians
  • Multilane roadways in urban and suburban areas
  • Intersections with significant numbers of pedestrian and vehicles traveling at high speeds

Professional Consensus

  • The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Safety includes medians and pedestrian crossing islands in their list of Proven Safety Countermeasures

Examples

The FHWA is promoting wide-spread integration of median and pedestrian crossing islands into state practices. States that have adopted the countermeasure include:iFederal Highway Administration Office of Safety. Pedestrian Countermeasure Policy Best Practice Report.

  • Florida DOT
  • New York DOT
  • Oregon DOT

Guidance

  • Provide pedestrian crossing islands through the crosswalk where medians are present or space exists
  • Build islands at least 4’ in width (preferably 8’) and of adequate length and width for the anticipated number of pedestriansiFederal Highway Administration Office of Safety. Proven Safety Countermeasures. Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands in Urban and Suburban Areas.
  • Design islands with level cut-through foot paths for ADA accessibility
  • Provide detectable warnings (truncated domes) at each edge of the island cutthrough area for ADA accessibility
  • Highlight islands with signs, striping, and reflector

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