United States Department of Transportation

FHWA Highway Safety Programs

Lesson 11: Traffic Calming

Objectives:

Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

Cite the goals and objectives of traffic calming.
Describe the issues related to traffic calming.
List several types of traffic-calming devices, along with some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with each.

Pre-Instruction:

Components	Activities
Motivation	Ask the class to present the results of their search to locate a local example of traffic calming. Ask them to report on the details they collected about the device (e.g., a dimensioned sketch) and give their critique of the device's effectiveness.
Objectives	Present and explain the three lesson goals listed above (V-11-1).

Information Presentation:

Components	Activities
Information Sequence	Outline the presentation of the lecture (V-11-2).
Information	Discuss the need for traffic calming. List and describe the goals and objectives of traffic calming (V-11-3 and V-11-4). Discuss the issues related to traffic calming (V-11-5). Discuss the different types of traffic-calming devices and the advantages and disadvantages of each (V-11-5 through V-11-8).
Example(s)	Show examples (e.g., slides, videotape) of the different types of traffic-calming devices.

Student Participation:

Components	Activities
Practice	Use one of the activities provided in the Student's Guide.
Feedback	Provide comment and feedback to the class as appropriate.

Follow-Up:

Components	Activities
Enrichment	Assign reading for Lesson 12. Have the students review and critique the latest version of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as it relates to accommodating pedestrians and bicyclists in work areas.
Review	Provide a summary of Lesson 11 (V-11-9).
Exercise	Ask the students to complete the exercise at the end of Lesson 9 in their workbooks. This exercise is reprinted below for your convenience. 11.5 Exercise Do one of the following exercises Choose a site-specific location (such as two to three blocks of a local street) where fast traffic or short cuts are a problem. Conduct a site analysis to determine problems. Prepare a detailed site solution that incorporates several traffic-calming devices. Illustrate with drawings and describe the anticipated changes in traffic speed. Prepare a traffic-calming solution for an entire neighborhood or downtown area that illustrates an area-wide approach to slowing traffic. Conduct a site analysis to determine problem areas. Illustrate your solutions and describe the anticipated changes in traffic speed and flow.

Lesson Objectives:

Cite the goals and objectives of traffic calming
Describe issues related to traffic calming
List types of traffic-calming devices and their advantages and disadvantages

Lesson Outline:

Need for traffic calming
Goals and objectives of traffic calming
Traffic-calming issues
Types of traffic-calming devices

Goals and Objectives of Traffic Calming:

Improved street "feel"
Enhanced aesthetics
Reduced crime
Balance among modes

Goals and Objectives of Traffic Calming (continued):

Increased safety
Improved air quality and noise reduction
Decreased fuel consumption
Accommodation of motor vehicles

Traffic-Calming Issues:

Safety
Impact of traffic operations
Lack of proven design standards
Liability
Emergency/Service vehicle access
Impacts on bicycling

Types of Traffic Calming Devices:

Raised pavement areas
Reduced street area
Street closures
Traffic diversion
Texture and visual devices
Parking

Combination Devices:

Woonerf
Entry treatments
Shared surfaces
Bicycle boulevards

Combination Devices (continued):

Slow streets
Channelization
Traffic calming on major roads
Modified intersection design

Lesson Summary:

Traffic calming is a viable alternative for having different types of transport share the street
There are many types of traffic-calming devices and strategies from which to choose