What Is a Traffic Calming Device? A Closer Look

Imagine driving through a quiet neighborhood, and suddenly, you need to slow down as you approach a small bump in the road or a curve. 

You may not give it much thought, but those little features are carefully placed to make the streets safer. These tools, known as traffic calming devices, help keep roads from becoming dangerous speedways. 

In this article, we’ll explain what a traffic calming device is and how it works to make streets more livable. Let’s begin.

Understanding What is a Traffic Calming Device

A traffic calming device is a tool for slowing down vehicles and controlling traffic on a neighborhood or busy street. 

You’ve probably seen them everywhere: speed bumps, narrowed lanes, or even those curvy roads that make you pump the brakes. These measures are especially common in areas with many pedestrians, like schools, parks, and residential streets.

The primary purpose is to slow drivers down and get them to pay more attention. Traffic calming devices do this by tweaking the road’s layout, naturally leading to safer driving. 

This means fewer accidents and makes walking or biking around town safer and more enjoyable. Even though they’re simple, these tools change how people use and feel about their streets.

Common Types of Traffic Calming Devices

There are different types of traffic calming devices; each of them serves a specific purpose, targeting different aspects of driver behavior and road safety:

Speed Bumps and Humps

These two are probably the most familiar traffic calming devices. 

Speed bumps are small, raised sections that cause drivers to slow almost to a halt. They are typically found in parking lots or private roads. 

Speed humps, on the other hand, are gentler but still effective. They stretch over a wider area and lower speeds to around 15-20 mph, making them perfect for residential areas or places where people are likely to walk and bike.

Speed Cushions

Speed cushions are like speed humps but with spaces that let larger vehicles, like emergency trucks, pass through without slowing down. 

For regular cars, though, they work just like humps, forcing drivers to slow down while keeping emergency response times unaffected. These are often used in neighborhoods where balancing safety and access is crucial.

Speed Tables

A speed table is similar to a hump but with a flat top, making the rise and fall more gradual; these are perfect for areas where pedestrian crossings are familiar, like near schools, parks, or intersections. 

Drivers still slow down, but the flat surface provides an easier route for cyclists and keeps things smooth for cars.

Rumble Strips

Rumble strips are grooves in the pavement that create vibration and noise when driven over. They are designed to alert drivers rather than physically slow them down. 

You often find these before sharp turns or pedestrian crossings, reminding drivers to pay extra attention and adjust their speed.

Chicanes

Chicanes are curbs or barriers that create an intentional winding path, forcing drivers to slow down as they navigate through. 

These are common in residential areas and serve two purposes: they slow traffic and add a bit of visual appeal to the street with their landscaping or design features.

Lane Narrowing

Lane narrowing involves reducing the width of a driving lane, either with road markings or physical structures.

This causes drivers to slow down naturally because the road feels tighter and demands more attention. Narrowing lanes with bike lanes or bollards is a common solution, making streets safer for cyclists and drivers alike.

Reflective Road Studs

Reflective road studs (or “cat’s eyes”) are those little raised markers you often see on roads, especially at night or in bad weather. 

They bounce your headlights back at you, making it easier to see lane lines, curves, and edges. While they mainly help guide traffic and improve visibility, they also act as a light form of traffic calming. 

The slight bump drivers feel when rolling over them is a gentle reminder to stay in their lane or slow down in tricky spots.

Benefits of Traffic Calming Devices

While they make streets safer, traffic calming devices also improve a neighborhood’s overall vibe and livability.

Let’s explore the top reasons why they’re so valuable:

Enhanced Safety

The most important benefit of these devices is increased safety; slower speeds give drivers more time to react to potential hazards, significantly reducing accidents. 

In areas with many pedestrians or cyclists, traffic calming devices often make the difference between a dangerous street and a safe one.

Noise Reduction

Cars traveling at lower speeds create less noise, which can be a big plus in residential areas. 

Noise pollution from speeding cars can disrupt a neighborhood’s peace, but traffic calming devices help keep things quieter and more pleasant for everyone.

Encourages Walking and Cycling

When traffic is slowed, walking and cycling become more appealing options.

These devices make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, promoting healthier lifestyles. They also reduce the community’s car needs, benefiting the planet and neighborhood connections.

Improved Livability

Streets that feel safe and calm make neighborhoods more enjoyable places to live.

People are more inclined to spend time outdoors, interact with their neighbors, and let their kids play outside. In short, traffic calming devices create a sense of community by making public spaces more accessible and inviting.

Environmental Benefits

Implementing traffic calming devices lowers emissions by slowing traffic and encouraging more walking and cycling. 

With reduced speeds, cars use less fuel, which leads to better air quality. These measures also make it easier for people to opt for greener, non-motorized ways of getting around.

Increased Property Values

Areas with effective traffic calming measures often increase property values and become more attractive to homebuyers. 

When streets are perceived as safe and walkable, the demand for homes in those neighborhoods increases, making it a smart long-term investment for communities.

What is a Traffic Calming Device’s Role in Urban Planning?

Traffic calming devices are essential when creating safe and walkable urban spaces. They ensure that streets work for pedestrians and cyclists while keeping traffic under control. 

Here’s how they’re used in urban planning.

• Improving Safety: These devices reduce speeds and accidents, creating safer streets for everyone, especially those on foot or bicycles.
• Encouraging Alternative Transportation: Creating safe streets for walking and biking helps lower car dependence. More people will likely walk, ride bikes, or choose public transport when roads feel safer.
• Promoting Sustainable Growth: Traffic calming reduces pollution and noise, helping foster sustainable growth, better air quality, and stronger community ties. It also attracts local businesses and makes neighborhoods more enjoyable to live in.

Build Safer Communities Through Traffic Calming

In the end, traffic calming devices are essential for creating safe, welcoming, and connected neighborhoods; their impact goes beyond just slowing down cars; they contribute to the overall sense of comfort and livability in our daily surroundings.

Phil Myrick LLC has been at the forefront of designing public spaces, prioritizing safety and community well-being. If you want to transform your streets into safer, more vibrant places, we’ll gladly guide you through solutions that work.