TRAFFIC ISLAND:-

What is a Traffic Island?

Traffic Island is physical structure or a painted object found on roads and

roadside. Traffic island serve various purposes depending it type. It is
usually seen as a raised area along the road for a better & orderly flow of
traffic or act as a stopping/ resting area for pedestrians. These may be
raised structures made up of concrete or a physical structure in form of
boards, barricades, traffic cones etc.

 
A traffic island which is much longer in length is called as traffic median. A
traffic median can be a few meters long and go upto few hundreds of
meters.
Use of Traffic Island

Other use of traffic islands include slowing down the vehicles especially at
the pedestrian crossings. The use of physical barriers along with the
painted or rubber markings/ surface of the road is much more effective
when used in combination.

Design and Geometrical Features of Traffic Islands

Since traffic island is a common name given to various road structure and
markings, these can be grouped based on the use, location, size,
construction type and material etc.

1. Shape and size: The shape & size of traffic island is determined on

the basis of function it is meant to serve. Like in case of median its
much longer in length than width because its function is to divide
the flow of traffic. In case of a channelizer the function of traffic
island is to channelized the flow of traffic in a particular direction.
These are sometimes elongated like in case of a channelizers. These
can also be round like in case or rotatory and round about which are
used for giving a larger manoeuvring space to drivers.

2. Location: Traffic island can be present on the side of road, across

the road or even in mid way along the road

3. Island type:  if the traffic volume is substantial, concrete structure is

generally used as it forces the user to follow it, painted lines work
where people are law-abiding and the flow of traffic is relatively less.

Classification and Types of Traffic Islands

There are three main classifications involved based on the purpose they
serve. The purposes served may be more than one depending on their
geometry, location, size and shape.
Channelizing Island: These go by the name and functions like a
channelizer which provides direction to the vehicles. The most prominent
use of this type is at the turning points, these allow smooth and easy
turning of traffic and prevents interference with the other straight moving
vehicles

Divisional Island: These are used along the roads. These are elongated
structures which can be considered as median or divider but used for the
traffic moving in the same direction. These also provide slip roads which
are meant to bypass the traffic signal for straight moving vehicles. These
are not meant to aid turning but helps in orderly movement of vehicles
and might form a part of channelizing island which further assist in
reducing conflict points.
Refuge Island: These are large in size and are meant for pedestrians
rather than the vehicles. These are provided to serve as a safe zones for
walkers and facilitates road crossings. These are raised structures large
enough for a person or a group of people to stand. These can be located
on a mid section of a road at point of pedestrian crossing as these provide
a safe and raised surface where driver can see them and remain alert.