Traffic island

A traffic island is a solid or painted object in a road that channels traffic. It can also be a narrow strip of island between roads that intersect at an acute angle. If the island uses road markings only, without raised kerbs or other physical obstructions, it is called a painted island or (especially in the UK) ghost island. Traffic islands can be used to reduce the speed of cars driving through,[1] or to provide a central refuge to pedestrians crossing the road.

Not to be confused with phantom island.
A traffic island in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia

When traffic islands are longer, they are instead called traffic medians, a strip in the middle of a road, serving the divider function over a much longer distance.[2]

Some traffic islands may serve as refuge islands for pedestrians.[3] Traffic islands are often used at partially blind intersections on back-streets to prevent cars from cutting a corner with potentially dangerous results, or to prevent some movements totally, for traffic safety or traffic calming reasons.[4]

In certain areas of the United Kingdom, particularly in The Midlands, the term island is often used as a synonym for roundabout.[5]

See also

References
  1. Steven, Windass (19 October 2015). "When Should Ghost Islands Be Provided at Priority Junctions, and the Application of DMRB Standards on Local Roads in the UK". Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. UK Highways Agency. "Geometric Design of Major/Minor Priority Junctions" (PDF). HMSO. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 June 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  3. "What is a traffic island?". Islands of LA. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  4. "Traffic islands not vending zones - Post Courier". postcourier.com.pg. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  5. Elkes, Neil (25 August 2016). "Revealed: What is the most dangerous roundabout in Birmingham?". birminghammail. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2018.

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