Traffic Calming
| Traffic
calming is a system
of road design and
management approaches
that balances vehicular
traffic on streets
with other uses. It
reinforces the idea
that streets should
create and preserve
a sense of place instead
of solely facilitating
vehicles passing through
at the greatest allowable
speed. Through design
solutions, traffic
calming helps lower
vehicle speeds and
creates an environment
that is friendly to
people on foot. Proper
use of traffic |
Speed
humps and speed
bumps force traffic
to slow down. |
calming principles will significantly
reduce collisions (up to
40 percent reduction) and
injuries for pedestrians,
cyclists and motorists, as
well as increasing the quality
of life for citizens. Traffic
calming can be applied quickly,
inexpensively and flexibly.
It can be accomplished just
by painting lines, colors
and patterns; using planters,
bollards and other removable
barriers; eliminating or
adding parking; or installing
curb extensions or similar
structures with temporary
materials.
Prescriptions
NJFIT supports
the use of traffic calming
techniques that fit the framework
of the neighborhood and
community. A variety of
techniques can be applied
to slow traffic and improve
road safety:
- Narrow traffic lanes
Reducing the width of the
road can give more room
to pedestrians and cyclists
and encourages cars to
slow down. Conventional
traffic engineering calls
for lane widths of 12
to 13 feet, but new evidence
shows that lanes as narrow
as nine feet can still
be safe for low volume
roads.
- Two-way streets
Many communities are converting
to one-way streets to
two-way to reduce car
speeds and shorten distances
between destinations,
cutting down the total
amount of traffic on
the road.
- Raised crosswalks
Raised crosswalks provide
pedestrians with a level
street crossing making
them more visible to
approaching motorists.
They are a good option
when pedestrian crossings
occur at haphazard locations
and vehicle speeds are
excessive.
- Speed humps
Speed bumps, humps and
tables force cars to
slow down. They work
in locations where very
low speeds are desired
and reasonable.
- Center islands
When landscaped, they can
be visually attractive,
as well as serve as a
place of safety for pedestrians
crossing the street.
Center islands are good
for entrances to residential
areas and wide streets
where pedestrians need
to cross.
- Use visual cues to influence
driver actions
Posting a speed limit does
not necessarily slow down
cars. Making roads and
lanes more narrow with
crosswalks, sidewalks,
signage and close buildings
act as visual cues from
a driver's perspective
and do slow down traffic.
Case studies:
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