Traffic calming portfolio

Although there continues to be a high demand for the installation of traffic calming measures, there is an increasing awareness of some of the disadvantages to traffic calming, in particular horizontal (chicanes & build outs) and vertical features (humps & bumps). There has been a great deal of publicity in recent years, particularly about humps, bumps and vertical deflections and their suitability. This portfolio aims to increase understanding of the different tools available today by incorporating traffic calming on the highway to ensure a safer environment, achieve appropriate speeds and are appropriate for the circumstances.

An incremental policy to any traffic-calming proposal should be adopted when considering how best to reach the correct type of measure. Invariably, there is usually more than one traffic-calming option available that may be effective in dealing with a specific problem. The approach explained in this portfolio would therefore minimise the need for obtrusive horizontal or vertical schemes, which should only be recommended as a last resort.

The key to successful traffic calming is its acceptance by both the local community and other road users. The full support of all residents for measures in their road is rare, and residents who support a scheme in principle may oppose a measure once they realise it may be placed outside their house. It is therefore essential to build active support and cooperation from the majority who support the scheme, before and after its introduction.

Every form of traffic calming will have associated pros and cons that need to be considered before a measure is agreed. No measure will prove to be 100% effective and a balance between type, cost, suitability, location, benefits and drawbacks has to be made to come to a solution that is fit for the purpose.