Create curb extensions (also called bulb outs) to reduce street crossing distances at intersections and mid-block crossings and improve sight lines for both pedestrians and drivers. Curb extensions are generally created where there is a parking lane but do not extend into or interfere with bicycle lanes.
Maximum Width
The preferred maximum crossing width for a pedestrian is two-lanes. Streets that are four lanes or more with a paved center left turn lane should be converted to two lanes in each direction with a raised median or refuge area (see next) at crosswalks to enhance pedestrian safety and comfort. This provides slower pedestrians with a place to wait should they need two signal crossing intervals to cross large streets.
Raised Median or Refuge Area
Provide a raised median or refuge area if there are more than two lanes of traffic in each direction and/or traffic speeds are high. This enables pedestrians of limited mobility to reach the median during one signal crossing interval and finish crossing the street in the second signal interval. To aid pedestrians, the minimum median width should be 5 feet (1.5m) with accessible ramps (see ADAAG guidelines), or a street-level cut-through between raised medians.
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