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].
Traffic calming measures
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].
• - Facilitate alternative forms of mobility to the automobile: walkability and cyclability must be complete throughout the city, with straight and safe trajectories. Public transport must be frequent and faster and cheaper than the car.
Traffic calming strategies
Introduction
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].
Traffic calming measures
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].
• - Raised pedestrian crossings, which indicate that the priority is pedestrian, it is the vehicle and not the pedestrian that changes height.
• - Use median islands for pedestrians, reducing the width of the road at pedestrian crossings.
• - Curb extensions"), generating wider sidewalks on curves and forcing vehicles to slow down when having to take them.
• - Shared spaces, such as residential or pedestrian streets in which the priority is pedestrian or cyclist, causing vehicles to adapt to the speed of other users.
• - Elimination of pedestrian "protection" fences, which reverse responsibility for accidents, causing pedestrians to have to take a greater detour in order to "be protected" from high-speed vehicles against which traffic calming measures are not applied.
• - Bollards, so that in a collision it is the car that suffers the damage and not the pedestrians, but allowing pedestrian crossability along the street.
• - Guarantee the permeability "Permeability (transport)") of pedestrians, bicycles and public transport with direct routes, and reduce that of private vehicles with detours.
• - Conversion of traffic lanes into bus lanes or cycle lanes, offering other modes of mobility.
• - Increase the cognitive load of driving, that is, driving a car must be difficult and require high attention.
• - Increase the number of obstructions and stopping times for cars, giving traffic light priority to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.
• - Reduce the supply for private vehicles, such as eliminating parking at destinations, increasing their price or eliminating circulation lanes.
• - Increase the discomfort of passengers in private vehicles and even ensure that it is the car, and not other road users, that suffers damage in the event of an accident.
• - Speed bumps with a slope and design that make them uncomfortable for medium and high speeds.
• - Change of material or texture of the surface and rumble strips") that generate uncomfortable sounds and vibrations for drivers.
• - Chicanes and chokes that reduce the width of the road and make it sinuous in some places. This can be generated by alternating the side of the street where the parking spaces are located every few meters, so that circulation is no longer linear.
• - Road thinning, reducing the width of traffic lanes, so that, having less room for maneuver in the event of collisions, speed is unconsciously reduced.
• - Use of trees and other urban furniture near vehicles, making the view appear narrower.
• - Convert one-way streets into two-way streets, or include the possibility of bicycle circulation in the opposite direction, making vehicles more narrow and slowing down.
• - Modal filters that prevent the passage of private vehicles, but not other forms of mobility.
• - Barriers that only allow the passage of certain vehicles, such as public transportation or bicycles.
• - Median diverters that make vehicles make a greater detour to reach their destination.
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].
• - Reduction of the maximum speed limit.
• - Sign correctly, both vertically and horizontally.
• - Signs that are activated by vehicles, which indicate the speed of the vehicle and whether or not it is complying with the limits.
• - Smart crossings that indicate the proximity of pedestrians or cyclists.
• - Intelligent speed reducers that increase their height the higher the speed of the vehicle.
• - Intelligent traffic lights that turn red at high speeds.
• - Reduction of speed limits near schools and hospitals, and even vehicle-free school streets during arrival and departure times.
• - Traffic closures on main streets during holidays.
• - Information and education campaigns.
Compliance
To guarantee adequate compliance with traffic calming:[7][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].
• - Speed control radar, especially in places with the highest risk of accidents.
• - Police on duty, since the mere presence of authorities induces better behavior behind the wheel.
• - Fines that ensure that violations are not repeated.
• - Congestion pricing, in which it is necessary to pay to enter certain areas during the days of greatest congestion, encouraging fewer people to use their vehicle.
Among the urban planning measures that allow traffic calming are:[7][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17].
• - Facilitate alternative forms of mobility to the automobile: walkability and cyclability must be complete throughout the city, with straight and safe trajectories. Public transport must be frequent and faster and cheaper than the car.
• - Raised pedestrian crossings, which indicate that the priority is pedestrian, it is the vehicle and not the pedestrian that changes height.
• - Use median islands for pedestrians, reducing the width of the road at pedestrian crossings.
• - Curb extensions"), generating wider sidewalks on curves and forcing vehicles to slow down when having to take them.
• - Shared spaces, such as residential or pedestrian streets in which the priority is pedestrian or cyclist, causing vehicles to adapt to the speed of other users.
• - Elimination of pedestrian "protection" fences, which reverse responsibility for accidents, causing pedestrians to have to take a greater detour in order to "be protected" from high-speed vehicles against which traffic calming measures are not applied.
• - Bollards, so that in a collision it is the car that suffers the damage and not the pedestrians, but allowing pedestrian crossability along the street.
• - Guarantee the permeability "Permeability (transport)") of pedestrians, bicycles and public transport with direct routes, and reduce that of private vehicles with detours.
• - Conversion of traffic lanes into bus lanes or cycle lanes, offering other modes of mobility.
• - Increase the cognitive load of driving, that is, driving a car must be difficult and require high attention.
• - Increase the number of obstructions and stopping times for cars, giving traffic light priority to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.
• - Reduce the supply for private vehicles, such as eliminating parking at destinations, increasing their price or eliminating circulation lanes.
• - Increase the discomfort of passengers in private vehicles and even ensure that it is the car, and not other road users, that suffers damage in the event of an accident.
• - Speed bumps with a slope and design that make them uncomfortable for medium and high speeds.
• - Change of material or texture of the surface and rumble strips") that generate uncomfortable sounds and vibrations for drivers.
• - Chicanes and chokes that reduce the width of the road and make it sinuous in some places. This can be generated by alternating the side of the street where the parking spaces are located every few meters, so that circulation is no longer linear.
• - Road thinning, reducing the width of traffic lanes, so that, having less room for maneuver in the event of collisions, speed is unconsciously reduced.
• - Use of trees and other urban furniture near vehicles, making the view appear narrower.
• - Convert one-way streets into two-way streets, or include the possibility of bicycle circulation in the opposite direction, making vehicles more narrow and slowing down.
• - Modal filters that prevent the passage of private vehicles, but not other forms of mobility.
• - Barriers that only allow the passage of certain vehicles, such as public transportation or bicycles.
• - Median diverters that make vehicles make a greater detour to reach their destination.
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].
• - Reduction of the maximum speed limit.
• - Sign correctly, both vertically and horizontally.
• - Signs that are activated by vehicles, which indicate the speed of the vehicle and whether or not it is complying with the limits.
• - Smart crossings that indicate the proximity of pedestrians or cyclists.
• - Intelligent speed reducers that increase their height the higher the speed of the vehicle.
• - Intelligent traffic lights that turn red at high speeds.
• - Reduction of speed limits near schools and hospitals, and even vehicle-free school streets during arrival and departure times.
• - Traffic closures on main streets during holidays.
• - Information and education campaigns.
Compliance
To guarantee adequate compliance with traffic calming:[7][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].
• - Speed control radar, especially in places with the highest risk of accidents.
• - Police on duty, since the mere presence of authorities induces better behavior behind the wheel.
• - Fines that ensure that violations are not repeated.
• - Congestion pricing, in which it is necessary to pay to enter certain areas during the days of greatest congestion, encouraging fewer people to use their vehicle.