Traffic speeds can be reduced through measures such as horizontal and vertical deflections, and street width reductions. There are a variety of traffic calming measures that can be utilized, individually or together, to combat both of these issues: Speed Reduction Measures Residential neighborhoods have two primary concerns regarding traffic calming: reducing traffic speeds and cut-throughs. A study by The American Journal of Public Health found that children who lived within a block of a speed hump, a popular traffic calming method, had significantly reduced odds of being hit by a vehicle. This is essential for residential neighborhoods, which unlike urban centres and major arterials, may have a high density of children and vulnerable roadway users who are not expecting sudden, high-speed vehicles. The primary benefit of traffic calming is increased safety and better-quality travel conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists. Traffic calming has a range of proven benefits, including: speed reduction, lower fatality rates, decrease in injury severity, reduced traffic noise, better conditions for non-motorists, and improved street aesthetics. Environmental adjustments, such as physical barriers and speed humps, force motorists to pay attention to their surroundings and alter their driving behaviors, resulting in lower speeds and safer driving. Traffic calming aims to prevent high-speed, rushed driving by ‘calming’ motorists through increased sensory awareness. This is particularly important in areas, such as residential neighborhoods, with increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic, where high-speed, unfocused driving can be fatal. Traffic calming is a system that utilizes design strategy and physical adjustments to reduce traffic speeds for the sake of safety and accessibility. Now, as complete streets and Vision Zero goals are gaining support and priority, traffic calming methods are being utilized to slow drivers down and minimize residential cut-through traffic. This has led to higher speeds and increased traffic on roads designed for much lower traffic volumes, creating more dangerous conditions for residents and pedestrians. Mobile apps have inadvertently contributed to an increase of motorists cutting through residential neighborhoods to save time and avoid traffic. Roadway planning in the United States and Canada has long held motor vehicle speed and ease as a top priority, leading to a network of high-speed roads and impatient drivers.
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