As urban populations swell and traffic congestion becomes an increasing concern, cities around the world are turning to traffic calming measures to enhance safety and improve quality of life for their residents. These measures, which range from speed humps to chicanes, aim to reduce vehicle speeds and encourage safer driving behaviors. However, implementing traffic calming in large urban areas presents unique challenges that require thoughtful planning, extensive data collection, and innovative design solutions. At Buchart Horn (BH), we have extensive experience in developing and executing traffic calming projects in various cities, and we have learned valuable lessons about the complexities involved in these initiatives.
Understanding the Complexities of Urban Traffic Management
Traffic calming measures in big cities face several hurdles, including:
High Traffic Volumes: Many urban corridors experience high volumes of traffic, along with significant pedestrian and bicycle usage, making it challenging to implement measures that can enhance user safety without causing significant disruptions. During our work under for the City of Pittsburgh’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, for example, BH developed traffic management construction plans for eight priority corridors identified by the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) staff through the Neighborhood Traffic Calming program. Each corridor required a tailored approach to address specific safety issues while maintaining smooth traffic flow.
Diverse Stakeholder Interests: Balancing the needs and concerns of residents, businesses, emergency services, and city officials is crucial, as each group may have different priorities regarding traffic management. In Memphis, BH conducted traffic studies at 71 sites to evaluate the potential effectiveness of various traffic calming measures. Our approach included speed and volume studies, data collection, and traffic analysis. Based on these studies, we prepared preliminary design plans for feasible locations, incorporating speed humps and signage to slow traffic and enhance safety. This project underscored the importance of thorough data collection and analysis in determining the most appropriate measures for each unique location.
Limited Space: Urban environments often have limited space for physical modifications, necessitating creative solutions that can fit within existing roadways and infrastructure. BH’s experience with developing five traffic calming construction plans for DOMI demonstrates our ability to design within spatial constraints. Each corridor, approximately 2,500 linear feet in length, incorporated measures such as chicanes, speed humps, pavement striping, and residential intersection traffic circles. By utilizing detailed MicroStation base plans and DOMI’s planning documents, we ensured that our traffic calming solutions were both effective and feasible within the urban environment.
Key Elements of Effective Traffic Calming
Data-Driven Design
Accurate data is the foundation of any successful traffic calming project. At BH, we conduct extensive data collection and analysis to understand traffic patterns, speeds, and volumes. This information informs our design decisions, ensuring that the selected measures effectively address the specific issues identified. Our comprehensive traffic studies in Memphis are a prime example of how data-driven design leads to effective traffic calming solutions. The studies included speed and volume analyses, device placement assessments, and petition packages to gauge community support.
Community Involvement
Engaging with the community is essential for the success of traffic calming projects. In Memphis, for example, we prepared petition packages to gather input and support from local residents. This collaborative approach helps build consensus and ensures that the measures implemented reflect the community’s needs and preferences. Our work with DOMI also involved close coordination with neighborhood stakeholders to ensure that the traffic calming measures were well-received and addressed the specific concerns of the residents.
Flexible and Adaptive Solutions
Urban environments are dynamic, and traffic management measures must be adaptable to changing conditions. As such, BH’s designs incorporate flexible elements such as pavement markings and vertical delineation features that can be adjusted or modified as needed. This adaptability ensures that the measures remain effective over time. For instance, our designs for DOMI included chicanes, speed humps, traffic circles, and flexposts, all of which can be adjusted based on ongoing traffic studies and community feedback.
Comprehensive Project Management
Effective project management is crucial for coordinating the various aspects of traffic calming projects. At BH, we manage all stages of the project, from initial data collection to final construction plans. Our experience with multi-faceted projects enables us to navigate the complexities of urban traffic management and deliver successful outcomes.
Key Takeaways
While traffic calming in big cities is challenging, it is an essential endeavor to improve safety and quality of life for urban residents. Buchart Horn’s extensive experience with these projects demonstrates our ability to develop and implement effective solutions that address the unique challenges of urban environments. Through data-driven design, community involvement, flexible solutions, and comprehensive project management, we help cities create safer, more livable streets for all.
By sharing our insights and experiences, we hope to contribute to the broader conversation about traffic calming and inspire other cities to take proactive steps towards safer urban environments.
Contact Mark Karolski at mkarolski@bucharthorn.com today if you’d like to learn more about BH’s traffic calming strategies.