ATSSA: Improving Driver Behavior with Infrastructure Safety Countermeasures

15 American Traffic Safety Services Association • www.atssa.com CASE 9: Pedestrian Refuge Islands and Bump-Outs P edestrian refuge Islands located in roadway medians provide positive guidance to both pedestrians and drivers and reduce the potential for pedestrian-vehicle collisions. In addition to identifying an appropriate crossing location, these islands reduce the complexity of the task and decision-making effort required by pedestrians to allow them to cross one direction of traffic at a time. The refuge island and the associated crosswalk markings provide guidance to drivers and enhance the visibility of and expectation for a pedestrian in the roadway. Flexible channelizing devices and RRFBs can also enhance the visibility of pedestrian refuge islands and provide further guidance to drivers regarding the presence of pedestrians. After installation of refuge islands and flashing beacons along State Route 92 in Florida, 85 percent of drivers yielded to pedestrians present in the crosswalks. National experience suggests refuge islands may reduce pedestrian crashes by 46 percent and motor vehicle crashes by up to 39 percent. Curb extensions are another infrastructure treatment that provides positive guidance to both pedestrians and drivers and reduces the potential for pedestrian-vehicle collisions. By extending the sidewalk into the parking lane at corner and mid-block pedestrian crossing locations, this treatment enhances the visibility of pedestrians for drivers and encourages drivers to decrease speed. Like the refuge islands, curb extensions help to channel pedestrians to appropriate, safe crossing locations. ■ Figure 25. An Asheville, N.C., mid-block pedestrian crossing with a pedestrian refuge island (Image: Lyubov Zuyeva) Figure 26. Reflective material on the concrete curb below the sign and its post alerts motorists there is a curb on the roadway (Image: Professional Pavement Products, Inc.)