Summary of Traffic Calming Devices

Speed Humps/Bumps

Description - Gradual rise and fall in pavement surface over a varied distance

Objective - Reduce vehicle speed by the change in vertical movement of the vehicle

Constraint - May not reduce the speed of all vehicles; some discomfort to occupants of vehicles at all speeds across the device

Speed Dip/Swale

Description - Gradual depression in the pavement surface over a varied distance

Objective - Reduce vehicle speed by the change in vertical movement of the vehicle

Constraint - May not reduce the speed of all vehicles; some discomfort to occupants of vehicles at all speeds across the device

Traffic Circles

Description - Raised island placed generally in the middle of an intersection

Objective- Reduce vehicle speed and provide predictable traffic flows

Constraint - May not reduce the speed of all vehicles. Can force traffic closure to adjacent properties if installed as a retrofit

Bulbouts

Description - Extension of curb into the paved roadway to narrow the street, generally into the parking area

Objective - Increase pedestrian safety by reducing distance to cross street, slow traffic and increase awareness of neighborhood environment

Constraint - Reduce parking in an area, may impact turning movements; may impact drainage of the street

Chicanes

Description - Artificial curving of the street by installation of offset curb bulbs or by offset curb parking

Objective - Reduce traffic speed

Constraint - Reduces parking, may not slow down all vehicles, may increase speed of some motorists

Channelization / Diverters

Description - Raised curbs or other means at intersection approaches to force or prohibit certain traffic movements. Can also be accomplished by adopting and enforcing certain regulations such as no left or right turns, one-way streets, etc.

Objective - Reduce traffic volume by diverting traffic

Constraint - Changes traffic patterns and diverts traffic onto other streets

Cul-de-sac

Description - Closing roads at mid block to create block that has traffic ingress and ingress at one end(s) only

Objective - Reduce traffic volume and traffic speed on the specific block

Constraint - Changes traffic patterns and diverts traffic onto other streets

Entry Gates

Description - Partial narrowing of a street at an intersection by the fencing of a portion of the road

Objective - Slow traffic and increase awareness of neighborhood environment

Constraint - May not slow all vehicles; may make turning into the street more difficult

Neighborhood Signs

Description - Installation of signs to make motorists aware that they are entering residential streets. Usually used in conjunction with other devices such as entry gates

Objective - Increase awareness of motorists of the neighborhood environment

Constraint - Effect may diminish over time and affect can also be diminished by overuse of the signs

F:\USERS\ADMIN\Board of Supervisors\June 4, 2002\Summary of Traffic Calming Devices Attachment May 6.doc