Traffic Calming ePrimer

The Traffic Calming ePrimer is a free, online resource openly available for public use. The ePrimer presents a thorough review of current traffic calming practice and contains the information needed to understand this complex field. The ePrimer is presented in eight distinct modules developed to allow the reader to move between each to find the desired information, without a cover-to-cover reading. The ePrimer presents:

• a definition of traffic calming, its purpose, and its relationship to other transportation initiatives (like complete streets and context sensitive solutions);
• illustrations and photographs of 22 different types of traffic calming measures;
• considerations for their appropriate application, including effects and design and installation specifics;
• research on the effects of traffic calming measures on mobility and safety for passenger vehicles; emergency response, public transit, and waste collection vehicles; and pedestrians and bicyclists;
• examples and case studies of both comprehensive traffic calming programs and neighborhood-specific traffic calming plans;
• case studies that cover effective processes used to plan and define a local traffic calming program or project and assessments of the effects of individual and series of traffic calming measures.

Traffic Calming ePrimer Table of Contents: to view a module, click its plus button .

Click to expand and view modules

Module 1

Purpose and Organization of ePrimer
 

• 1.1 What is the Traffic Calming ePrimer?
• 1.2 Traffic Calming Measures Included in ePrimer
• 1.3 Measures Not Included in ePrimer
• 1.4 Terminology
• 1.5 Organization of ePrimer

Module 2

Traffic Calming Basics
 

• 2.1 Traffic Calming Definition
• 2.2 Purpose of Traffic Calming
• 2.3 Importance of Traffic Calming
• 2.4 Integration with Pedestrian System
• 2.5 Relationship to Other Initiatives
• 2.6 Challenges to Finding a Balance
• 2.7 Legal Issues
• 2.8 Related/Complementary Reference Resources
• 2.9 Referenced Resources – 19

Module 3

Toolbox of Individual Traffic Calming Measures
 

• 3.1 Applicability and Acceptability of Individual Traffic Calming Measures
• 3.2 Cost of Individual Traffic Calming Measures
• 3.3 Temporary Versus Permanent Installation
• 3.4 Lateral Shift
• 3.5 Chicane
• 3.6 Realigned Intersection
• 3.7 Traffic Circle (Not Roundabout)
• 3.8 Small Modern Roundabout and Mini-Roundabout (Not Traffic Circle)
• 3.9 Roundabout
• 3.10 Speed Hump
• 3.11 Speed Cushion
• 3.12 Speed Table
• 3.13 Offset Speed Table
• 3.14 Raised Crosswalk
• 3.15 Raised Intersection
• 3.16 Corner Extension/Bulbout – 116
• 3.17 Choker
• 3.18 Median Island
• 3.19 On-Street Parking
• 3.20 Road Diet
• 3.21 Diagonal Diverter
• 3.22 Full Closure
• 3.23 Half Closure
• 3.24 Median Barrier and Forced Turn Island

Module 4

Effects of Traffic Calming Measures on Motor Vehicle Speed and Volume

• 4.1 Speed Hump and Speed Cushion
• 4.2 Speed Table, Raised Crosswalk, and Offset Speed Table
• 4.3 Chicane
• 4.4 Traffic Circle

Module 5

Effects of Traffic Calming Measures on Non-Personal Passenger Vehicles

• 5.1 Definition of Non-Personal Passenger Vehicles
• 5.2 Emergency Services – Fire
• 5.3 Traffic Calming Measures Developed to Address Emergency Service Vehicle Delay Issues
• 5.4 Emergency Services – Ambulance
• 5.5 Emergency Services – Police
• 5.6 Large Vehicles – Transit
• 5.7 Large Vehicles – Waste Removal
• 5.8 Large Vehicles – Snow Removal
• 5.9 Brief History of Relationship of Traffic Calming and Emergency Vehicles
• 5.10 Process for Coordination with Needs of Emergency Services

Module 6

Effects of Traffic Calming Measures on Non-Motorized Users

• 6.1 Bicyclists – Routing Restriction Measures
• 6.2 Bicyclists – Vertical Deflection Measures
• 6.3 Bicyclists – Horizontal Deflection and Street Width Reduction Measures
• 6.4 Pedestrians

Module 7

Traffic Calming Programs and Planning Processes

• 7.1 Public Participation
• 7.2 Identification of Problem
• 7.3 Quantification of Problem 220
• 7.4 Plan Development
• 7.5 Approval
• 7.6 Implementation
• 7.7 Evaluation

Module 8

Traffic Calming Case Studies