|
BULBOUTS
Bulbouts are extensions to the curb located at intersections, which result in a narrower curb-to-curb roadway width. Costs range from $2,000 for simple designs to $50,000 for highly aesthetic versions. These are often used with plantings and street furniture to enhance the area and make the restricted width more conspicuous.
Their primary purpose is to "pedestrianize" intersections by shortening crossing distances. Vehicle turn speeds can be reduced providing increased pedestrian safety.
Bulbouts are sometimes called nubs, neck-downs, knuckles, intersection narrowing, corner bulges or safe crosses
|
Temporary Installation
Culver City, CA
|
Permanent Installation
Burbank, CA
|
PROS
1. Creates more pedestrian friendly intersection.
2. Reduces pedestrian crossing distances.
3. Reduces speeds at location if travel lanes reduced sufficiently.
4. Widely used traffic calming measure.
|
CONS
1. Can be expensive if landscaped.
2. May affect buses or larger vehicles if intersection radii are tightened.
3. Require maintenance.
4. Tend to collect or trap trash.
5. Interfere with established drainage patterns.
6. Place pedestrians close to travel way.
|
Summary of Effectiveness
|
Volume Reduction
|
Possible
|
|
Speed Reduction
|
Possible
|
|
Safety Improvement
|
Yes
|
|
-
|
-
|
|
Streets to Use On Collector, Local
|
Local/Collector
|
|
Use on Bus Route
|
Yes
|
|
Use with Curbs and Gutters
|
Yes
|
|
Spot or Area-wide Use
|
Spot
|
|
-
|
-
|
|
Emergency Service Access Issues
|
Tight radii
|
|
Impacts on Arterials
|
Possible
|
|
Change in % Trucks
|
Unknown
|
|
Environmental Changes
|
Unknown
|
|
-
|
-
|
|
Dependence on Enforcement
|
None
|
|
Level of Violation
|
Self Enforced
|
|
-
|
-
|
|
Aesthetics and Landscaping
|
Landscaping
|
|
