Guide to Auto Traffic Calming Practices

The highways, streets and roads which we drive can be a hazardous place to travel. With drivers possibly being distracted by cellphones and other electronic devices in the car, drivers traveling at a speed above the speed limit and drivers who operate vehicles when they are not in peak condition, it can be dangerous for other drivers and pedestrians. While law enforcement agencies and the governments have provided ways to stop these hazards, it is not 100% stopping these from occurring. There are still a substantial number of drivers who operate vehicles in an unsafe manner.

In the past couple of decades, engineers and other safety administrators have developed ways to slow down traffic.   These methods are known as traffic calming practices. Traffic calming is the use of curves, objects, design and other methods to slow traffic down to a safer pace. There are many different ways that civil engineers have devised for traffic to be slowed. They include the use of roundabouts, speed bumps, rumble strips, traffic circles and other physical ways to keep traffic flowing but at a slower pace.

Studies have shown that the implementation of these types of methods will slow traffic and prevent accidents involving other motorists and pedestrians. Communities that have implemented traffic calming methods have also seen an increase in visitors. What communities have found is that by slowing the traffic, they are finding time to look at the area and stop to investigate. In increase in safety and visitors have provided localities with a boost.

To learn more about traffic calming procedures, here is some additional information:

• Traffic Calming Definition - basic definition on what traffic calming involves.
• Definition of Traffic Calming - British website providing a definition and examples of typical traffic calming methods.
• Meaning of Traffic Calming - website describing the need for traffic calming and defining how this is accomplished.
• Types and Description of Traffic Calming Devices - useful resource showing various types of traffic calming methods along with a description.
• Traffic Calming Information - paper providing information on the benefits, costs and ultimate results of these efforts.
• Why Traffic Calming is Not Needed - information from a group that is opposed to traffic calming methods, and they provide information on why it is not needed.
• Traffic Calming Benefits - useful information outlining the benefits to communities of having traffic calming initiatives.
• Traffic Calming Fact Sheet - informative site providing a through overview of traffic calming including the reasons for needing them and the benefits.

Types of Traffic Calming Methods:

• Traffic Calming Methods - useful information on different ways that speed of automobiles can be managed.
• Traffic Calming Report - interesting report on the effects of the efforts of traffic calming in Brooklyn.
• Traffic Calming Study - site containing a study of the effects of traffic calming on a community.
• Traffic Calming Measures - information on different ways that governments can slow down traffic.
• Traffic Calming 101 - informative resource providing information and a description of different types of traffic calming methods.
• Traffic Calming Methods - helpful methods for traffic calming used to keep traffic flowing.
• Traffic Circles - one method used to slow traffic with the use of a circular pattern at intersections.
• What is a Roundabout? - helpful site explaining the difference between a roundabout and a traffic circle.
• Methods of Traffic Calming - information on methods that are used to slow traffic down to safer levels.
• Traffic Calming Resource Guide - resourceful article with information on ways to make all traffic safer.
• Speed Humps - information on how humps in the road can make traffic safer by slowing vehicles down.
• Information on Speed Humps - useful look at how speed humps are used as a traffic calming tool.
• Raised Medians and Traffic Safety - information on raised medians in roadways and other safety measures.
• Traffic and Street Designs - helpful page providing information on traffic designs for streets with an eye for safety.
• Traffic Calming History - information on the history of the various methods used for traffic safety.
• Traffic Diverters - useful page providing information on diagonal traffic diverters used for traffic calming.
• Traffic Calming Methods - helpful resource discussing the various ways that traffic can be managed safely.
• Traffic Diverters - resourceful site providing information on digital dividers in traffic safety.
• Rumble Strips and Traffic - useful site showing the way that using rumble strips can reduce traffic.
• Review of Traffic Calming Techniques - overview of techniques used in the United Kingdom to safely reduce traffic flow.
• Traffic Calming Measures - review of the methods available to keep traffic flowing safely.
• Economic Effects of Traffic Calming - informative site outlining the economic impact that traffic calming has on communities.