Research shows that crossing islands help reduce vehicle speeds in intersections and provide refuge space for pedestrians to cross halfway, wait for a break in the traffic, and then continue across.
"Center island narrowings are raised islands located on the centerline of a street that narrow the travel lanes at that location. They are also called mid-block medians, median slow points, or median chokers. They often are nicely landscaped to provide visual amenity and neighborhood identity."
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Traffic Calming: State of the Practice
Case Study
Mid-block Crosswalks: City Place, West Palm Beach, FL West Palm Beach, FL
City Place has one of the nation's most attractive crossings, with lots of pavers, palm trees and other architectural details. Chicanes on both sides of the road create a tropical island for crossing pedestrians.
Case Study
Crosswalks: Toucan Crossings, Tucson, AZ Tucson, AZ
At these half-signal concept Toucan Crossings in Tucson, AZ, motorists stop for short periods to allow bicyclists and pedestrians highly efficient crossings. A pedestrian island, sometimes covered, forces cars to turn right, while allowing safe crossing for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Case Study
Intersection: Brighton, Michigan Brighton, MI
Large intersection with medians, pork chop islands. New design reduced crashes 60%.
"An island is a defined area between traffic lanes used for control of vehicle movements, Islands also provide an area for pedestrian refuge and traffic control device. Within an intersection, a median or an outer separation is also considered an island. This definition makes it evident that an island is no single physical type. It may range from an area delineated by raised curb to a pavement area marked out by paint . . . Where traffic entering an intersection is directed into definite paths, this design feature is termed a channelized intersection."
