Medians are:
- Horizontal speed control measures.
- Elevated islands installed on the centerline of a two-way road reducing
the overall width of each lane.
- Also referred to as center island narrowings, midblock medians,
median slowpoints, and median chokers.
- Able to provide a pedestrian refuge.
- Ideal for residential applications, commercial areas, and business
districts.
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Typical Design:
- Design varies significantly depending on the installation location.
- The Institute of Transportation Engineers has design recommendations.(2)
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Placement Issues:
- Many times medians are installed on curves to discourage speeding
and encourage vehicles to remain in the appropriate lane of travel.
- Medians are also usually effective in slowing traffic when installed
downstream of an intersection.
- Medians can provide a pedestrian refuge and be integrated with crosswalks.
- Medians can be installed as a gateway to a community.
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Approximate Cost:
- Installation costs of medians start around $1,500 and increase depending
on the length and width, landscaping, and drainage issues.(3)
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Comments:
- Medians can be landscaped.
- Medians can be integrated with other traffic calming measures like
chokers, neckdowns, speed humps, and raised cross walks.
- When designing a median, considerable attention should be given to
aesthetics.
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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- Low cost
- Can reduce vehicle speed
- Can encourage a safer pedestrian environment
- Can improve the aesthetics of a neighborhood when landscaped
tastefully.
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- On-street parking may need to be eliminated around the median.
- The potential exists for an increase in vehicle/bicycle accidents
and vehicle/pedestrian accidents as vehicles may be deflected
into a bicycle's or pedestrian's path.
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