Pedestrian Refuge Island

Pedestrian Refuge Islands are typically raised medians in the center of roadways and are intended to assist pedestrians crossing wide or busy streets.  Islands can usually not be driven over and as such they provide an area for pedestrians to stand safe from traffic.  They are intended to allow pedestrians to cross half of the street at a time, thus reducing the number of lanes to cross at one time and simplifying the crossing action.  They are usually installed mid-block with a marked crosswalk and should be installed only where pedestrian crossings are frequent.  Islands may include fencing to help channelize pedestrians and additional signs and roadway markings to alert drivers.  Because vehicles cannot drive over them, caution should be used in locating islands near driveways or in the path of left turning vehicles.

    Photo courtesy of ADOT