TRAFFIC CALMING - EARLY SCHEMES IN BRITAIN

This chapter describes Britain's first traffic calming scheme at Burnthouse Lane in Devon and the development of traffic calming guidelines. Known as an Environmental Traffic and Accident Prevention Scheme (ETAPS) the objective in Burnthouse Lane was to reduce traffic speed and the number of accidents that had occurred in the area. The scheme included building flat top humps, a cycle lane, sheltered parking, extended footways, a cycle track, a narrowed roadway, improved lighting, and the realignment of junctions along what was a wide straight road built in the 1930s. Th success of the scheme led to further traffic calming schemes and the development of 'Traffic Calming Guidelines' in 1991. Also tested in Devon were a variety of 'gateways'. The role of traffic calming in improving urban road safety is discussed. For the covering abstract see IRRD 877091.