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Traffic calming measures explained (plus photos)

Traffic engineers look at engineering, education and enforcement when designing traffic environments. In this article we’ll show you many of the different ways in which traffic engineers make roads safer by using measures to slow drivers down where there might be danger, for example, if there are pedestrians around.

Vertical

These mainly consist of speed bumps of which there are several kinds. They are usually indicated by a sign such as the one below warning that road humps are ahead.

humps in the road sign

This speed table shows a short rise just before a crossroads and a long elevated part through the crossroads, then back down again.

junction traffic calming measures road table

This raised pedestrian crossing acts as a speed table and is situated just before a junction on a one-way street.

raised pedestrian crossing

Road cushions are spaced speed bumps that allow wider heavy vehicles and emergency vehicles to pass through the gaps without going over a bump, but cars (which usually have a width of 1.5-1.9m) will have to have at least one wheel going over a speed bump.

Road cushions

Horizontal

Slow zones warn drivers that conditions may not be suitable for speed. They do not enforce a compulsory speed limit, but drivers are expected to observe a slower driving speed.

Slow zone

Chicanes force drivers to slow down and pay attention to oncoming traffic.

chicane grey lynn

Chokers temporarily narrow the road or restrict parking. They can be short, like this one, or longer and restrict the sense of space in the road for road users.

choker2

Surface change can also help make road users aware of danger. Sometimes it might provide a different driving feeling, for example a cobblestone-style surface can impart a vibration through the wheels that makes drivers slow down, or it can be more grippy road surfaces such as the red surface seen below on this speed table at an intersection, which is often also seen just before busy pedestrian crossings, especially those on a steeper hill.

speed table road surface change intersection

Restriction

Roads can be blocked off or diverted to reduce access. The image below shows a road that has been blocked off to form a cul-de-sac.

chevrons cul de sac

Narrowing

Lanes may be narrowed to  make traffic more aware of a hazard. In the photo below the lane on the right (coming towards us) is narrowed by the median strip.

lanes narrow with median

Enforcement

Speed cameras and red light cameras are designed to encourage road users to comply with laws, such as this red light camera watching across the top of Union St, Auckland

red light camera

Speed cameras can either be fixed, like the one shown below, or mobile.

Newer speed cameras are less conspicuous than the old style, and don’t rely on film

 

Education

School zones are active around the specific times that children are travelling to and from school. They will flash a restricted speed limit (40kph) when in operation.

School zone speed limit sign

Home-made signs are made where residents feel that certain road users might be at risk, and this ranges from children to baby ducklings.

home made sign children

Vehicle activated sign

These signs are usually solar-powered and are activated when a vehicle approaches. They can warn of speed, children, a curve, etc.

 

vehicle-activated sign 1 vehicle-activated sign 2

Shared zone

Shared zones are areas where pedestrians have priority, but vehicles can use them, too. The speed limit in a shared zone is 10kph.

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Darren has written over 3000 articles about driving and vehicles, plus almost 500 vehicle reviews and numerous driving courses. Connect with him on LinkedIn by clicking the name above

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