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• Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

Lesson 20: Traffic Calming

Lesson Outline

• Need for traffic calming.
• Goals and objectives of traffic calming.
• Traffic calming issues.
• Types of traffic calming devices.

Need for Traffic Calming

• Cut-through traffic.
• Relatively high speeds in neighborhoods.
• Determine the source of the problem.

  –	Why do people cut through neighborhoods?

  • Traffic backup on main route.
  • More direct connection.

  –	Why do people speed?

  • Make up time due to delay on main route.

Need for Traffic Calming

Goals and Objectives of Traffic Calming

• Increase safety by slowing vehicle speeds.
• Improve street feel.
• Enhance aesthetics.
• Reduce crime.
• Provide a balance among modes.
• Slows vehicle speeds.
• Increases safety.
• Accommodates motor vehicles.

Traffic-Calming Issues

• Safety.
• Impact of traffic operations.
• Lack of proven design standards.
• Liability.
• Emergency/service vehicle access.
• Impacts on bicycling.

Traffic-Calming Treatments

Types of Traffic-Calming Devices

• Raised pavement areas.
• Reduced street area.
• Street closures.
• Traffic diversion.
• Texture and visual devices.
• Parking.

Combination Devices

• Woonerf.
• Entry treatments.
• Slow streets.
• Channelization.
• Traffic calming on major roads.
• Modified intersection design.

Lesson Summary

• Traffic calming is a viable alternative for having different types of transport share the street.
• There are many types of traffic-calming devices and strategies from which to choose.

FHWA-HRT-05-124