City of Oxnard - Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Appendices

Appendix A | Design Guidelines
A.8.13. Pedestrian Refuge Islands
Design Summary
• Pedestrian refuge islands should be installed at
intersections where a pedestrian has to cross streets
with four or more lanes, with traffic volumes higher
7,500 vehicles per day (VPD), and speeds greater than
35 mph.
• At street crossing locations with vehicle speeds higher
than 35 mph and traffic volumes more than 15,000 VPD,
“corral-style” pedestrian refuge islands should be offset
so that pedestrians must face opposing traffic before
crossing the second half of the street.
• Refuge islands should be a minimum of four feet wide
by eight feet long. This is an absolute minimum and
should not be used at multi-use trail crossings or other
locations where bicycle traffic may be anticipated.
• Pedestrian refuge islands should be well illuminated.
• A vertical element should be provided on the island
including trees, landscape features, bollards, or sign
posts.
• Pedestrian refuge islands must be ADA compliant;
where it is not possible to include ramps and waiting
pads, waiting areas should be at-grade with the
roadway.
Preferred Design
Pedestrian refuge island at an intersection
Discussion
Pedestrian refuges in wide or busy streets improve safety for
pedestrians and vehicles. They are defined as areas within an
intersection or between lanes of traffic where pedestrians may
safely wait until vehicular traffic clears, allowing them to cross a
street. These islands are particularly helpful for seniors, the
disabled, and children who may be unable to cross the street
during the available signal time. Another benefit to pedestrians is
that it can significantly reduce delay in crossing un-signalized
intersections since the pedestrian need only search for vehicles in
one direction at a time.
Guidance
Intersections with high vehicular traffic volumes and pedestrian
traffic.
Wide roadways where a two legged crossing will increase ability
of pedestrians to cross roadways taking advantage of traffic gaps,
without modifications to adjacent intersection signal timing.
Multi-use trail crossings of multi-lane roadways.
Mid-block “corral-style” pedestrian refuge island
A-70 | Alta Planning + Design