SUITABILITY OF EXISTING TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES FOR USE ON SOME HIGHWAYS IN EGYPT

The most common traffic calming measures on roadway network in Egypt are speed humps and cat-eye reflectors; the second one was investigated in previous study and found ineffective as traffic calming device on highways. This research examines the suitability of the existing speed humps on a major highway in Egypt for use, Cairo-Aswan agricultural highway was selected for this study, it is two-way two-lane highway, 140 km of it passing through Minia governorate and the posted speed limit is 90 km/h reduced to 60 km/h at dwelling zones. More than 150 speed humps exist on this highway in Minia region, located at intersections and entrance of towns and villages existing around that highway. Field measurements of speed, speed humps geometry, distance between humps, and in-depth interviews with different driver groups were used to assess the suitability of existing speed humps for use. The results show that most of speed humps are too high and some of them reach 25 cm height, low ground clearance vehicle' drivers complain that they cannot traverse without maneuvering speed humps, all drivers complain from rarity of signage, painting, and precautions which indicates the presence of speed humps, that led to traffic safety problems. Due to speed humps geometry, density of speed humps, and volume of traffic, much of delay and fuel consumption as well as damage of vehicles parts happen. The findings indicate that existing traffic calming measures are unsuitable for use in this class of highway.