A physical structure or painted exclusion zone placed within a roadway to channel vehicle paths, reduce crossing distances for pedestrians, or provide space for traffic signals. Hard islands are usually built with concrete curbs, while painted islands use hatch markings to achieve a similar traffic-calming effect without physical barriers.
Heard on the job
The new design adds a pedestrian traffic island halfway across the arterial so people don't have to sprint across six lanes.
Also heard as
- refuge island