Median Barriers
Description:
A median barrier is a concrete curb or island that is located on
the centerline of a street and continues through the street's intersection with
a given cross street.
|
Purpose:
Strategically located median barriers reduce
traffic volumes on a street. Median barriers prevent left turns from the
through street and left turns and through moves from the cross
street.
Effectiveness:
Median barriers are very effective in
reducing volumes. |
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|
Separate opposing vehicle travel lane
Prevent vehicle from passing other vehicles
Depending on location, may improve safety through access
limitations
Can be designed with breaks in the landscaping to
provide pedestrian refuge
May visually enhance the street through
landscaping |
May require major parking removal
Prohibit or limit access and movement (from
driveways)
May have a negative impact on emergency services because
of access limitations |
Cost:
Median barriers cost approximately $10,000-20,000.
Parking Impacts:
Medians may not significantly affect curbside parking
opportunities, but sometimes parking would be prohibited to accommodate the
remaining turning movements or to make room for a wider median barrier.
Transit Service Impacts:
Median barriers would prevent transit service on the blocked
street.
Emergency Services Impacts:
The turn restrictions imposed by a median barrier would apply to
emergency vehicles and are not typically used to block a primary fire response
route.
Noise Impacts:
None.
Other Considerations:
Median barriers apply to all drivers, including local residents.
Very special care must be taken to consider the availability, capacity, and
appropriateness of the alternative routes drivers might use if a semi-diverter
is constructed.
Provision should be made to make median barriers passable for
pedestrians and bicyclists.
Examples In Portland:
SE 20th at Harrison Street. SE 20th at Ankeny Street.