Median Barriers This device is used on arterial streets to prevent cut - through traffic on local <br /> streets or to control turning direction into or out of a neighborhood. Medians may also be used <br /> within a residential neighborhood to prevent non -local through traffic movements. As such, <br /> median barriers are used to control traffic volumes, rather than traffic speeds. Medians can be <br /> effectively used in combination with other techniques, such as forced turn channelization and <br /> turning prohibitions, to control traffic movements. <br /> * *INSERT PHOTO ** <br />