Center island narrowings are raised islands located along the centerline of a street that narrow the travel lanes at that location. Placed at the entrance to a neighborhood, and often combined with textured pavement, they are often called “gateways". Fitted with a gap to allow pedestrians to walk through at a crosswalk, they are often called “pedestrian refuges”. They can also be landscaped to increase visual aesthetics.
The magnitude of reduction in speed is dependent of the spacing of center island narrowings between points that require drivers to slow. On average center island narrowings achieve a 7% reduction in speeds.
Advantages
- Can increase pedestrian safety.
- Aesthetic upgrades can have positive aesthetic value.
- Reduces traffic volumes if alternative routes are available.
Disadvantages
- Effect on vehicle speeds is limited by the absence of any vertical or horizontal deflection.
- Potential loss of on-street parking.
