Medians provide effective access control and act as buffers between vehicles moving in opposing traffic lanes. The median strip divides the pavement into two separate roadways. These roadways may be treated independently of each other within limits. The grades of each roadway should be adjusted to reduce excessive crossfall and adverse superelevation and should be warped to meet varying conditions.
Medians provide refuge for pedestrians crossing wide streets, strategic locations for traffic signs and signal installations, and areas on which piers for structures can be located. They also provide space for disabled vehicles and a lane for emergency vehicles.
Medians of sufficient width provide protection for vehicles stopped within a median opening. This is very effective for vehicles making U-turns at intersections and for vehicles crossing the highways.
Where intersections are at grade and left turns are permitted, these median openings are also used for left-turn movements. See Section E 664 Median Left-Turn Lanes (Pockets). Where possible, installing landscaping in addition to or in lieu of pavement will enhance the appearance of the street and the area.
City streets in the highly urbanized areas of Los Angeles present few opportunities for the use of medians. They have been used on a few limited-access streets, on major and secondary streets, and on some extra-wide streets. The main opportunity for their use at present has been in the utilization of the abandoned railroad right of way strips that are generally located along the centers of streets. Some short strips are used at or near strategic intersections to protect traffic signals, signs, pedestrians, etc. Their future use is anticipated as major and secondary highways are widened and as highways are built through the relatively undeveloped mountainous areas.
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