Five Positive Issues to Consider:
1. Enhanced Pedestrian Safety
One of the primary goals of traffic calming measures is to improve pedestrian safety. Tools like speed humps, raised crosswalks, and curb extensions slow down traffic, making it safer for pedestrians to cross streets. These measures create more pedestrian-friendly environments, particularly in school zones and residential areas.
- Effectiveness: Raised crosswalks, for example, increase driver awareness and encourage lower speeds, significantly reducing the likelihood of pedestrian accidents.
2. Reduction in Vehicle Speeds
Speed is a critical factor in accidents, and traffic calming strategies can effectively control it. Techniques like speed cushions, roundabouts, and chicanes cause drivers to naturally reduce their speed, leading to fewer accidents and less severe injuries.
- Effectiveness: According to studies, vehicle speeds have decreased by 10-15% in areas with effective traffic calming measures, contributing to safer neighborhoods.
3. Lower Traffic Volumes
Many traffic calming strategies, such as road narrowing and the introduction of one-way streets, can reduce the overall volume of traffic in a given area. By making certain routes less convenient for through traffic, these measures encourage drivers to use major arterial roads instead.
- Effectiveness: This can lead to a more peaceful atmosphere in residential zones and reduce congestion in the local area.
4. Noise and Air Pollution Reduction
Certain types of traffic calming strategies (i.e. chicane, choker, bumpout, and traffic circle) allow for slower and smoother traffic which can lead to lower noise levels and reduced vehicle emissions. The stop-and-go nature of speeding traffic, especially on residential streets, often leads to higher levels of noise and pollution. Traffic calming strategies can mitigate this by promoting a steady flow of vehicles at lower speeds.
- Effectiveness: This is particularly beneficial in urban settings, where air quality and noise pollution are serious concerns. However, some traffic calming strategies (i.e. speed hump, speed cushion, and speed table) can cause increased noise due to vehicle braking and accelerating.
5. Improved Livability and Community Well-being
Implementing traffic calming strategies often improves the overall livability of neighborhoods. With quieter, safer streets, people feel more comfortable walking, biking, and socializing outdoors. This creates a greater sense of community and encourages a healthier, more active lifestyle.
- Effectiveness: Studies have shown that well-implemented traffic calming measures can lead to increased physical activity, improved mental well-being, and higher property values.
Five Negative Issues to Consider:
1. Emergency Vehicle Delays
One of the significant drawbacks of traffic calming strategies is their potential to delay emergency vehicles. Speed humps, traffic circles, and other physical measures may slow down response times for ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles, which can have critical consequences in emergencies.
- Impact: Studies have found that certain traffic calming measures can increase response times by up to 10-15 seconds per obstacle, which, in life-threatening situations, could be significant.
2. Pedestrian and Large Vehicle Impacts
A roundabout can make crossing a street less convenient for pedestrians compared to stop signs or traffic lights. Traffic circles can cause issues for large vehicles such as trucks and transit buses to navigate based on the turning radius design constraints.
- Impact: May cause pedestrians to cross a roundabout dangerously to avoid the longer route. Buses and trucks may need to be rerouted if they are unable to traverse a traffic circle. Transit and freight routes should be considered along with design constraints for traffic circles or mini roundabouts.
3. Design Constraints
There may be design constraints regarding available space, driveways, on-street parking, lighting, and drainage that need to be considered. The type of roadway needs to be considered as some measures are only appropriate for local residential streets. Also, if the street is used for transit, emergency, and commercial access some measures are not applicable.
- Impact: The type of roadway, design constraints, and users need to be considered when determining which, if any, of the traffic calming strategies are appropriate and will be effective.
4. Community Opposition
Not all residents are on board with traffic calming measures. Some drivers feel inconvenienced by road changes and oppose the perceived intrusion of speed humps, road narrowing, or road diets. Furthermore, residents may argue about the placement of certain measures, creating conflicts between different interest groups.
- Impact: Public backlash can delay or block the implementation of traffic calming projects, especially if the community is not adequately involved in the planning process.
5. High Implementation and Maintenance Costs
Implementing traffic calming strategies can be expensive, both in initial costs and ongoing maintenance. Installing physical barriers like raised crosswalks, traffic circles, or speed humps requires significant upfront investment. Over time, maintenance of these measures can add further financial burdens on local municipalities.
- Impact: These high costs often force cities to prioritize which neighborhoods benefit from traffic calming, leaving others without needed safety improvements.
Conclusion
Traffic calming strategies play a vital role in enhancing road safety and livability in urban and suburban environments. While they bring numerous benefits such as improved pedestrian safety, reduced traffic speeds, and lower pollution, they also present challenges like increased emergency response times, design constraints, and potential community opposition. Finding the right balance and addressing these challenges with careful planning and community involvement is essential for the success of traffic calming initiatives.
