REFUGE ISLAND

A refuge island is an aid to pedestrians crossing a road, usually on a wider road or one with traffic in the opposite direction, mainly near a school or a low-traffic area. The first pedestrian refuge island was built in 1963 in the UK and was known as a 'safety zone' with two street lights on each side. In Hong Kong, where there is a large population, most streets are extremely narrow and there is a lot of traffic, the provision of safety islands in the middle of the road provides protection for pedestrians crossing the road. This is particularly important for people with special needs, such as elderly people with mobility problems, parents with prams or people with disabilities, etc. It is safer to cross the road in sections.