Raised intersections are flat raised areas covering an entire intersection, with ramps on all approaches and often with brick or other textured materials on the flat section. They usually raise to the level of the sidewalk, or slightly below to provide a "lip" that is detectable by the visually imparied. By modifying the level of the intersection, the crosswalks are more readily perceived by motorists to be "pedestrian territory".

Raised intersections are good for intersections with substantial pedestrian activity, and areas where other traffic calming measures would be unacceptable because they take away scarce parking spaces.

Advantages:

• Raised Intersections improve safety for both pedestrians and vehicles
• If desinged well, they can have positive aesthetic value
• They can calm two streets at once

Disadvantages:

• They tend to be expensive, varying by materials used
• Their impact to drainage needs to be considered
• They are less effective in reducing speeds than Speed Humps, Speed Tables, or Raised Crosswalks

Effectiveness:

• Average of 1% decrease in the 85th percentile travel speeds, or from an average of 34.6 to 34.3 miles per hour; (from a sample of 3 sites).

Similar Measures:

• By raising only a single crosswalk, you have a Raised Crosswalk
• By raising only a short section to a flat level (without a crosswalk), you have a Speed Table
• By raising an even shorter section and constructing it without a flat top, you have a Speed Hump

Cost Estimate(s):

• $12,500 (Sarasota, FL)