TRAFFIC CALMING: A REVIEW OF TECHNIQUES AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS

This article reviews various types of traffic calming methods currently in use and measurement of their effectiveness. Lower speed limits are not effective unless constantly policed. Traffic calming methods impose a self-enforcing action on drivers. Their aims include an increase in safety, reduction in traffic volumes, pollution reduction, improvement of quality of life, benefits for non-motorists and public services, and reduction of police control. Devices considered in this paper are principally humps, and chicanes and other road narrowing devices. Direct consequences of traffic calming are seen as reduction in accident levels and their gravity, and reductions in noise and gas emissions. Delay caused to emergency services vehicles is studied in terms of delay caused by different traffic calming measures. Effectiveness of measures is evaluated by various methods of analysis, which are discussed.