Documentation was done on the effect of a raised median, signalized and redesigned intersections, curbs, and sidewalks on vehicle speed, pedestrian exposure risk, driver predictability, and vehicle volume along a four-lane suburban roadway in central New Jersey.
The results are that the 85th percentile vehicle speed fell by 2 mph and pedestrian exposure risk decreased by 28 percent. Also, the median allows pedestrians to cross one direction of traffic at a time and signals, curbs, median, redesigned intersections, and striping patterns work together to manage driver behavior. In regard to vehicles, it was found that vehicle volumes were not affected and that vehicle speeds acted independently of vehicle volumes. A collision analysis projected a savings of $1.7 million over the next three years in direct and indirect costs.
Source: Transportation Research Record 1828, Paper No. 03-3135 pp. 56-66
Published: 1982
