Raised Refuge Islands

Purpose

Protect people crossing the street by slowing vehicle speeds, increasing pedestrian visibility, and providing a pedestrian waiting area.

Description

Raised refuge islands have a cut out area that is at least six feet wide for pedestrian and bicyclist refuge. Raised refuge islands ensure pedestrians have a safe place to wait if they cannot cross both directions of traffic at once. The crossing may be accompanied by additional signage to increase pedestrian visibility.

Also known as pedestrian refuge islands.

Safety Benefits

• Reduces time pedestrians are exposed to traffic.
• Allows pedestrians to cross the street one direction of travel or fewer lanes at a time at uncontrolled intersections or at the midblock.
• Provides a midway point for slower pedestrians (e.g., youth, older adults, and people with disabilities).
• May provide space for additional lighting at the crossing.
• May slow vehicle speeds going through or turning at the crosswalk.

View locations where this tool is installed in Arlington County

Street Types and Context

Applicable Street Types

Principal, Minor Arterial, and Local Principal streets in developed areas.

Other Location Guidance

Most beneficial at uncontrolled crossings, multi-lane roads, wide signalized crossings, or complex intersections. Other applicable locations include:

• Crossings at the midblock or at intersections.
• Roads with fewer gaps in traffic.
• Roads with high pedestrian crossing volumes.

Primary User Groups

Key Implementation Considerations

• The design must accommodate pedestrians with disabilities and should be part of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant pathway.
• Raised refuge islands at intersections may impact the ability of vehicles to make safe left turns. An analysis must be performed to determine the impacts to vehicles turning left and, in particular, the impacts to emergency vehicle access.
• Preferred width between 6 and 10 feet to accommodate bicyclists and larger volumes of pedestrians.
• Curb extensions can be built along with raised refuge islands to restrict onstreet parking and reduce crossing distance.
• Temporary refuge islands can be constructed with temporary curbing or flex posts.

Expected Crash Reduction

69% for vehicle-pedestrian crashes, 74% for all crashes, 71% for all injuries (Zegeer et al. 2017).

Cost

Refuge islands constructed with temporary materials are typically lower cost.

Timeline

Varies. Use of temporary materials or minimal roadway reconfiguration can speed implementation.

References

• Arlington County Marked Crosswalk Guidelines
• Arlington County Median Nose Guidelines
• Virginia Department of Transportation Road & Bridge Standards
• PEDSAFE Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System
• Chapter 8 of Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access: Part II of II: Best Practices Design Guide
• American Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities
• FHWA Guide for Improving Pedestrian Safety at Uncontrolled Crossing Locations
• FHWA Proven Safety Countermeasures: Medians and Pedestrian Crossing Islands in Urban and Suburban Areas