- Statewide Raised Median Toolkit

Considering Raised Medians?

Follow this two-step process for collaborative decision-making.

Step 1: Collaborate with local government

What to Do

Identify a general concept for raised medians (corridor, location, etc.)
Gather the supporting materials (listed below)
Meet with local jurisdiction(s)
- Present raised median ideas and data and gather feedback
- Set the expectation for how feedback will be used
- Listen to input and incorporate suggestions to mitigate concerns
- Discuss next steps

People to Involve

Internal project lead
Internal leadership team
Local jurisdiction engineering staff members
Local jurisdiction leadership team

Supporting Materials

"Before" map, showing the corridor as it exists now
Conflict map
Raised median videos
National research
Assessment results

Ask yourself the following questions before moving to Step 2:

Have you worked with the local jurisdiction to present raised median idea and gather feedback?

Is the local jurisdiction supportive of moving forward?

If no, it’s ok to stop here and explore other solutions.

If yes, move forward to Step 2.

Step 2: Involve directly affected stakeholders and gather feedback

What to Do

Identify directly affected stakeholders
- Look at the businesses and homes nearby and determine who will be directly impacted by raised medians
Identify the level of flexibility that is available with each raised median location
Gather the supporting materials (listed below)
Meet with directly affected stakeholders
- Present raised median details specific to the area and gather feedback
- Set the expectation for how feedback will be used
- Listen to input and incorporate suggestions to mitigate concerns when possible
Accommodate stakeholder input and refine plans when possible
- Make every effort to address stakeholder issues before making formal decisions
- Possible accommodations/considerations may include:
  - Altering median openings to accommodate wider turning radii for trucks
  - Creating cross-access agreements
  - Allowing U-turns
- Discuss next steps
  - Outline what will happen next in the process, whether it’s another discussion or a decision to move forward with design

People to Involve

Project team lead
Local jurisdiction representatives
Property owners
Tenants

Supporting Materials

"Before” map, showing the corridor as it exists now
Figure of proposed corridor with safety issues identified
National research
Raised median videos
Assessment results

Ask yourself the following questions before making a decision to implement raised medians:

Have you met with directly affected property owners, identified their concerns and listened to their feedback?

Have you considered solutions that address these concerns?

Have you reported your outcome and decision to directly affected stakeholders?

Are the directly affected stakeholders comfortable moving forward?

If no, it’s ok to stop here and explore other solutions.

If yes, move forward with implementing raised medians.

Installing Raised Medians?

Follow this three-step process to design and install the most context-appropriate solution.

Step 1: Develop preliminary raised median designs and present them to the local jurisdiction for feedback

What to Do

Meet with the local jurisdiction to review designs and receive feedback
Support design with data and research
- The data and research that you’ve been using to justify the need for this raised median will be important when presenting an updated design
Develop and present Public Involvement Plan
- The Public Involvement Plan is a living document that is going to change many times throughout the course of your project and it’s important to keep the information updated as you go
- Present your Public Involvement Plan to the local jurisdiction and incorporate any suggestions/feedback for outreach

People to Involve

Internal project lead
Internal leadership team
Local jurisdiction engineering staff members
Local jurisdiction leadership team

Supporting Materials

Before and after maps
- Identify any specific stakeholder accommodations made during design
Future travel demand
Business access figures

Ask yourself the following questions before moving to Step 2:

Is the local jurisdiction supportive of moving forward?

If no, it’s ok to stop here and explore other solutions.

If yes, move forward to Step 2.

Step 2: Present design to directly impacted stakeholders

What to Do

Meet with key stakeholders to present the preliminary design that was developed based on feedback during the collaboration process
- Give the stakeholders an opportunity to review the preliminary design and answer any questions
Support design details with data and research
- Demonstrate why the design turned out the way that it did and clearly explain how you incorporated earlier feedback into the design
Provide business access, parking and circulation figures
- Provide visuals explaining how these elements might be managed after the median is implemented
Discuss next steps
- Identify what happens next in the process, whether it’s another design revision or moving forward with construction

People to Involve

Project team lead
Local jurisdiction representatives
Property owners
Tenants
Public involvement lead

Supporting Materials

Before and after maps
- Identify stakeholder accommodation
Future travel demand
Business access figures

Ask yourself the following questions before moving on to Step 3:

Have you reached a consensus with the directly impacted stakeholders regarding design plans?

If no, it’s ok to stop here and revise your design plans or explore other solutions.

If yes, move forward to Step 3.

Step 3: Inform the general public about proposed raised medians

What to Do

Present median plans to a broader audience
- Host public meetings, contact local news outlets, canvass adjacent areas to provide fliers/door hangers with project info, etc.
- Refer to Public Involvement Plan to execute these efforts

Who to Involve

Project manager
Project design team
Public involvement team
Local jurisdiction staff
Nearby businesses, residents, and drivers

Supporting Materials

Before and after maps
Future travel demand
Business access, parking, and circulation figures
Flyer / handout
Construction schedule