Provide a space, usually within a kerbed median island, for pedestrians to wait in the centre of a road so they can cross one direction of traffic at a time.
Benefits
- Improves safety and amenity for vulnerable pedestrians
- Breaks the crossing task up so pedestrians only have to find a gap in one direction of traffic at a time
Considerations
- Not a regulatory device, so pedestrians still have to find a gap in traffic to cross the street
- Does not necessarily slow traffic speed unless specifically designed to do so
Australian Standard
AS 1742.10 Manual of uniform traffic control devices, Part 10: Pedestrian control and protection
Example
This pedestrian refuge was installed at a mid-block desire line on Cooma's main street which is also the Snowy Mountains Highway. Kerb extensions combine with the refuge to reduce the crossing distance and enhance sight lines for safety. Trees are planted on the departure side of each direction and low vegetation on the approach side to maintain sight lines.
Details
Location:
Sharp Street, Cooma between Vale Street and Bombala Street
Agency responsible:
TfNSW
Application
| Local streets | Main streets | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential lane |  | Destination high street |  |
| Residential way |  | Transit street | |
| Yield street | | Connector avenue | |
| Neighbourhood street | | Arterial high street |  |
| Connector street | | Transit arterial | |
| Urban centre street | | ||
| Enterprise street | | ||
| Main roads | Civic spaces | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Transit only corridor | | Civic high street | |
| Rural link | | Transit mall | |
| Rural highway | | Civic lane | |
| Secondary arterial | | Service lane | |
| Principal arterial | | ||
| Motorway | | ||
Legend
| Appropriate treatment |
| Use with caution |
| Inappropriate treatment |
| Not applicable |