Traffic calming or traffic calming is the process and effect of motorized vehicles circulating at low speeds and the number of private vehicles being reduced.[1]​.

Among the objectives are to increase the safety of all users, achieve high quality urban spaces, reduce the health impacts of accidents, atmospheric and noise pollution, develop the urban vitality of these areas, diversify means of transport to reduce energy consumption, promote healthier "Habit (health sciences)") habits or generate greater social cohesion and integration.[2]​[3]​[4]​[5]​.

Contenido

Para conseguir que el calmado del tráfico sea efectivo son necesarios tres enfoques: el propio diseño urbanístico, la educación comunitaria y la vigilancia de su cumplimiento.[6]​.

urban design

The speed of vehicles is directly related to the width of the roads and the path they describe. Thus, more width and more straight paths promote higher speeds. Likewise, narrow roads and winding roads promote lower speeds.[7]​.

On the other hand, behavior in choosing the means of transport is based on induced demand. That is to say, an urban design in which most of the public space is dedicated to cars and there are numerous parking spaces at origin and destination will promote the use of private vehicles. In the same way, an urban design with pedestrian and bicycle paths that cover the entire space, with frequent bus lines and where the supply of car parking is reduced will discourage the use of cars.[8]​.

Furthermore, these measures are not based on the idea of ​​​​criminalizing drivers, but on the fact that errors occur with potentially fatal consequences. Therefore, a correct design must minimize the possibility of making these errors and, if they are made, personal injury is minimized.[9]​.

Among the urban planning measures that allow traffic calming are:[7]​[10]​[11]​[12]​[13]​[14]​[15]​[16]​[17]​.

Community education

Education measures are designed to ensure that the population has information about traffic rules and the benefits of traffic calming:[7]​[10]​[11]​[12]​[13]​[14]​[15]​[16]​.

Compliance

To guarantee adequate compliance with traffic calming:[7]​[10]​[11]​[12]​[13]​[14]​[15]​[16]​.