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<br />MEDIANS AND GATEWAYS <br /> <br />DESCRIPTION: A median is a raised island in the center of the roadway with one-way traffic <br />on each side. A gateway consists of an architectural or roadway feature on each side and/or in the <br />center of a roadway used primarily to indicate to drivers that they are entering a special area. In <br />the case of traffic calming, it is usually a residential neighborhood or commercial district. <br /> <br />APPLICATION: Medians are used on wide streets to narrow each direction of travel and to <br />interrupt sight lines down the center of long straight streets. Hence, medians are more effective <br />when properly landscaped. Neighborhood gateways can include a median island to identify entry <br />into a neighborhood. If the gateway were narrow, it would reduce speeds at that point and could <br />reduce through traffic. The most effective gateways include vertical elements such as trees or <br />columns. Gateways may be formed by curb bulb-outs, fences, poles, signs, artwork, and other <br />features that can be combined with each other. Medians may be extended for longer stretches <br />through intersections to preclude left turns. Medians may be effective in reducing speeds through <br />sweeping curves by discouraging motorists from cutting the comer and crossing over the <br />centerline. Medians can also reduce the occurrence of head-on collisions by separating two- <br />directional traffic. Medians can be used in conjunction with crosswalks, with the median serving <br />as a pedestrian refuge. Speed reduction depends on the amount of horizontal deflection and the <br />width of the travel lanes. Traffic diversion is expected to be minimal. <br /> <br />LIMITATIONS: Long medians may adversely impact emergency vehicle access and <br />operations. Medians may also disrupt driveway access. To accommodate a median, it may be <br />necessary to remove on-street parking and/or narrow travel lanes. Since medians tend to narrow <br />travel lanes, it may force bicyclists and motor vehicles to share the same space. If this is being <br />considered on a major bikeway, d,esign consideration should be made to accommodate the <br />bicyclist, however this usually negates the effectiveness of reducing vehicle speeds. <br /> <br />ADVANTAGES: <br />. May be slightly effective in reducing vehicle speed <br />· May provide an opportunity for enhanced landscaping or decorative hardscaping <br />. Can be used to control access and turning movements <br /> <br />DISADVANTAGES: <br />. May reduce emergency vehicle access <br />. May require on-street parking removal <br />. May disrupt driveway access <br /> <br />TYPICAL COSTS: Costs range greatly depending upon the length and design of the median. A <br />typical 40-foot median may cost $25,000 for construction and annual maintenance cost is $100. <br /> <br />~I; <br />~~ <br /> <br />... .L... <br /> <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />? ~.b lr,'! g <br />f-"'~I <br />L~bt <br /> <br /> <br />..-...-.. ~) <br />............ <br /> <br />~~tqIH <br /> <br />a::::m <br /> <br />... I <br /> <br />~l <br />I: 10 . <br /> <br />~ I.~ P'ge 16 of23 <br />'~_~~_~''-:'~ EIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM <br />