Streetcar Safety Island

Because streetcars could not pull over to the curb, like a bus can, safety zones were created in the street next to the track at intersections. The streetcar would pick up and discharge its passengers only at these safety zones.

A streetcar safety zone is described as: The area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and protected or so marked by adequate signs or authorized pavement markings as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.

Many state laws specified that car and truck drivers were prohibited from passing a streetcar taking on or discharging passengers unless a designated safety zone was present.

The Chicago solution was to have a large cast concrete block, painted yellow, at the traffic flow end of the safety zone. It had a yellow pole with two alternately flashing amber lights, the left one high and the right one low. This was called a "Safety Island." For a good photo of one see RPWRHS photo C036-022.

Streetcar Safety Islands

by Hank Morris

The Historian, Winter, 2012, Vol. 28 No. 1, page 10.

Anyone remember when Chicago had streetcars and streetcar safety islands?

Because streetcars ran on tracks, they could not pull over to the curb to board and discharge passengers. Only buses can be so accommodating.

Since standing in the street waiting for a streetcar was a fairly dangerous proposition, streetcar safety zones, also known as streetcar safety islands, were established. Streetcars would pick up and discharge passengers only at these locations.

A streetcar safety zone is described as “the area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and protected or so marked by adequate signs or authorized pavement markings as to be plainly visible at all times.”

Many state laws specified that car and truck drivers were prohibited from passing a streetcar that was boarding or discharging passengers unless a designated safety zone was present.

The Chicago solution was to have a large, heavy, cast concrete block painted yellow at the traffic flow end of the safety zone. It had a yellow pole with two alternately flashing amber lights, the left one high and the right one low.

Photos

RPWRHS photo R044-8001 shows a Streetcar Safety Island at Devon Avenue and Western in 1934. Southeast corner is in the background.