The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), the international association that represents traffic engineers, transportation planners and similar professionals who plan and design roads and neighborhoods, has defined traffic calming as “changes in street alignment, installation of barriers, and other physical measures to reduce traffic speeds and or cut-through volumes, in the interest of street safety, livability, and other public purposes.”  

 

Traffic calming may also be known as neighborhood traffic management, traffic abatement or neighborhood traffic control.  Definitions of traffic calming vary, but they all share the goal of reducing vehicle speeds, improving safety and enhancing quality of life.  Some include all three “E’s,” traffic education, enforcement and engineering. 

 

This course will discuss the issue of traffic calming as it relates to traffic studies and plan design.  The history of traffic calming and various traffic calming measures and their effectiveness will be presented.  Advantages and disadvantages of the traffic calming measures will be included.

The student will understand:

 

Definition of traffic calming according to the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

 

Objectives of traffic calming which include promoting safety through the use of speed reduction and crashes

 

History of traffic calming as it has evolved from the late 1960’s to now with increased traffic having to be balanced with pedestrian/bicyclist usage

 

Traffic calming measures and their effectiveness can provide speed and/or volume control for collector and local streets

 

Comparison of traffic calming measures to determine which can be implemented at a relatively low cost while still achieving maximum safety