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Traffic Calming 1.6‐1
SECTION 1, CHAPTER 6
Traffic Calming
6.1 Introduction
6.1.1 What is Traffic Calming?
Trafficcalmingdealswithneighborhoodtrafficissuescomprehensivelyusingthe“threeE’s,”Education,Enforcement,andEngineering,tosloworreducemotorvehicletrafficandimprovesafetyforpedestriansandbicyclists.Afourth“E,”enhancement,isusedtoimproveareaaestheticsandsoftenthelookofphysicalinstallations.Educationprovidesneighborswithinformationabouthowtheyasmotoristscanhelptoeasetrafficimpactsintheircommunitythroughchangesinbehaviorandattitudes,andinformsthemaboutneighborhoodtrafficmanagementactivitiesandopportunities.EnforcementenliststheassistanceofthePoliceDepartmenttofocusenforcementeffortsinkeyareas.Engineeringandplanningencompassesbothtraditionaltrafficmanagementmeasuresaswellasnewerapproaches,suchastrafficcalming.Allthreeareimportantcomponentsindealingeffectivelywithneighborhoodandcommunity‐widetrafficissues.Moderntrafficcalmingbeganasagrassrootsmovementinthelate1960’swhichstartedwiththeWoonerfdevelopmentsintheCityofDelft,theNetherlands.Woonerven,or“livingstreets,”areresidentialstreetswherespeedsaredrasticallyreducedthroughreconstructionandspaceissharedbetweenvehiclesandpedestrians.
According to the Institute of Transportation Engineers, traffic calming is the “combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non‐motorized street users.”
1.6‐2 Traffic Calming
IntheUnitedStates,Seattle,Washingtonwasanearlypioneerinarea‐widetrafficcalmingwithneighborhood‐widedemonstrationsintheearly1970’s.Berkeley,CA,wasoneofthefirstcommunitiestoestablishacomprehensivearea‐wideprogramoftrafficcalming,whenitadoptedacitywidetrafficmanagementplanin1975.TheCityofNorwalkhasimplementedtrafficcalmingmeasuresinseveralneighborhoodsthroughouttheCityinrecentyears.Usinglessonslearnedfromtheseprojects,atrafficcalmingprogramwasdevelopedaspartoftheCity‐WideTrafficManagementPlan(TMP)toprovideaprocessforselectingappropriatetrafficcalmingmeasuresandprioritizingprojectfunding.Thetrafficcalmingprogramisaresident‐drivenprocessthatensuressafetyandlivabilityforallroadusers.TheNorwalkTrafficCalmingProgramisdiscussedinSection2‐3.
6.1.2 Goals and Benefits
Themaingoaloftrafficcalmingistoreducevehiclespeedsandcut‐throughvolumesthroughresidentialneighborhoods,providinglivableenvironmentsthataresafeforpedestriansandbicyclists.Reducedvehiclespeedscanmeanfewer,lessseverecollisions,especiallywhenanincidentinvolvesapedestrian.Desiredspeedstypicallyrangefrom15to30milesperhourinresidentialsettingsand20to35milesperhourincommercialsettings,withanappropriatedesignspeedselectedforeachlocationbasedonexistingoperatingspeedsandthedesiredcharacteristicsoftheroadwayenvironment.Whilethenegativeeffectsofautomobiletrafficcannotbecompletelyeliminated,trafficcalmingcanencourageautomobiledriverstooperatesafelyandwithincreasedconsiderationforotherroadusers.Benefitstopedestriansandbicyclistsinclude: Increaseddriverattentivenesstothepresenceofpedestriansandbicyclists
Increasedspaceforbicyclelanesandpedestrianfacilities
Bufferingfrommotorvehicletrafficbyuseoftrees,landscaping,parkedvehiclesandbicyclelanes.
Feweropportunitiesforpedestrian/vehicleconflictsInadditiontothebenefitsforroadusers,trafficcalminghastheaddedadvantageofreducednoiseandairpollution.
Section 1 – Chapter 6
Traffic Calming 1.6‐3
6.1.3 How to Use the Traffic Calming Toolbox
Trafficcalmingisarelativelynewconcept,andmanypeopledonotknowaboutthewidevarietyoftoolsandstrategiesthatareavailabletotheircommunities.Thischapterservesasaresourceforresidentsandneighborhoodgroupsseekingtoeffectchangeintheircommunities.Itisalsointendedforusebydevelopersinordertosupporttheestablishmentofmorelivable,walkablecommunitiesinNorwalk.NorwalkresidentsandneighborhoodgroupsmayusetheTrafficCalmingToolboxtolearnaboutthevarioustrafficcalmingtoolsandresources,beginthinkingabouttheroadwayclassificationandcharacteristicsoftheirneighborhood,andcreateaplanforgarneringsupportfortrafficcalmingintheirneighborhood.ThestepsinvolvedintheNorwalkTrafficCalmingProgramarediscussedindetailinSection2,Chapter3.TheTrafficCalmingToolboxisaresourcefordevelopersseekingtocreatestreetswhicharelivableandaccessibletoallresidentsandtenants.ThematrixinAppendixisaquickreferencefordeterminingwhichtrafficcalmingmeasuresmaybeappropriateforagivenlocation,andtheStandardSpecificationsandDetailsintheAppendixareprovidedtoassistindesigningtrafficcalmingmeasures.
6.2 Traffic Calming Toolbox (The Nuts and Bolts)
ThefollowingpresentsasummaryofthevariousTier1andTier2trafficcalmingmeasureswhichmaybeimplementedintheCityofNorwalk.Atrafficcalmingsummarymatrixoutliningthecost,bestuseandotherconsiderationsforthesetoolsisprovidedinAppendix.
6.2.1 Tier 1 Measures
ThefollowingTier1implementationmeasuresarelowcosttools,intendedtorespondquicklytoneighborhoodtrafficconcerns.Theyconsistofprimarilyeducation,enforcementandsomeengineeringmeasures.
6.2.1.1 Education
Theprimarypurposeofeducationinitiativesistoprovideinformationthatincreasesdriverawarenessandmotivatespeopletoaltertheirbehavior.
Pros::Inexpensive,somewhateffectiveonhigh‐volumecollectorsandarterials~wheretraditionalengineeringmeasuresarerestrictive.Cons::Littleevidencethatlong‐termbenefitscanbeachieved.
1.6‐4 Traffic Calming
6.2.1.2 Neighborhood Newsletter
Thismailercontainsinformationabouttheneighborhood’ssafetyconcerns,explainstheresultsofspeedandvolumestudiesandrecommendswaystoslowtrafficintheneighborhood.Inaddition,trafficandpedestriansafetybasicsarecovered.
Pros::inexpensive,cantargetspecificresidents.Cons::Doesnotreachnon‐localtravelers,limitedevidencethatthisapproachcanbeeffective.
6.2.1.3 Radar Speed Display Sign
Thesesigns,whichmaybeportable,useradartoprovidemotoristswithanelectronicdisplay,alertingthemiftheyareexceedingacceptablespeeds.
Pros::speedscanbereducedbyupto25%1whenusedinshortperiodsoftimeandonlowvolumeroadways.Goodpublicrelationsforneighborhoods.Educationaltoolformotorists.Cons::Residualeffectsofspeedsignplacementarenegligiblewhenremoved.Long‐termplacementhasbeenmetwithmixedresults.
6.2.1.4 Signage
SignsmaybeinstalledwhereappropriateandinaccordancewiththeManualofUniformTrafficControlDevices(MUTCD).TheMUTCDhasestablishedspecificwarrantsforinstallationofStopSigns,includingmulti‐wayStopSigns.TheCityofNorwalkdoesnotinstall“Stop”signsforspeedcontrol.Speedlimitsignsareinstalledforschoolzones(20milesperhour)andatpointswheredriverstendtoenterneighborhoods.Thespeedlimitonresidentialstreetsis25milesperhour.Pedestriancrossing,schoolcrossing,andbikeroutesignsmayalsobeusedtowarnmotoristsofbicycleorpedestrianactivityandcanhelptoreducevehiclespeeds.
Pros::inexpensive,whencoupledwithEnforcement(seebelow),canbeeffectiveovertime.Increasesdriverawarenessalongcertainstreets.Cons::Unwarrantedand/orunjustifiedsignagecanleadtonon‐complianceandcreatesafetychallenges.Signageisnot‘self‐enforcing’.
6.2.1.5 Enforcement
Whenappropriate,theDPWwillworkwiththeNorwalkPoliceDepartmenttotargetspecificareasidentifiedduringthedatacollectionprocesstoenforcespeedlimitsand
1 T. Mazzella and D. Godfrey, “Building and Testing a customer Responsive Neighborhood Traffic Control Program”, in 1995 Compendium of Technical
Papers, ITE, Washington DC, 1995.
Section 1 – Chapter 6
Traffic Calming 1.6‐5
othertrafficlawsinneighborhoods.Bysharingkeytrafficdata,officerscanfocustheirpatrolsonthetimesandplaceswherespeedingmostoftenoccurs.
Pros::Long‐termperiodicdaytimespeedenforcementoncertainproblemcorridorsmayresultindriverchangesovertime;Canbeusedinareasthatdonotqualifyforengineeringsolutionstotrafficchallenges;Targetsviolatorswithoutunnecessarilyimpactingnormaltrafficflow.Cons::Withoutlong‐termdedicationoflawenforcementpersonneltoaspecificcorridor,targetedenforcementhasbeenshowntobedisappointing.
6.2.1.6 Striping and On‐street Parking
Widetravellanesallowforfastervehiclespeeds.Narrowingthetravellanethroughtheuseofpavementmarkingscancreateasubtletrafficcalmingeffectwithoutintroducingphysicalbarriersthatmayslowdownemergencyresponsevehicles.Narrowinglanesthroughtheuseofpavementmarkingsmaybeachievedbycreatingwidershouldersorstripingforon‐streetparkingononeorbothsidesoftheroad.
Pros::Inexpensive.Easytoinstallandmodify,asneeded.Someexperienceshaveindicatedthatmodestspeedreductionscanbeachieved.Canalsoprovideforimprovedbicycleandpedestriansafety,ifproperlyimplemented.Cons::Studieshaveshownthatbybetterdefiningtravellanessometimeshasthereverseimpactandmayincreasespeedsoncertaincorridors.Mayreduceon‐streetparking.
6.2.1.7 Landscaping
Landscapingmaybeusedinconjunctionwithothertrafficcalmingmeasuressuchasmediansandislands,chicanes,andgatewayareastoenhancethepedestrianenvironmentwhilehelpingtoprovideaneighborhoodidentity.
Pros::Generallywellreceivedbythepublicinresidentialneighborhoods.Can,andshould,beusedinconjunctionwithothertrafficcalmingelementstosoftentheirappearance.Cons::Long‐termmaintenancecostsneedtobeconsidered.Carefulconsiderationtosightlinesandothersafetyelementsshouldalsobeplanned.
6.2.2 Tier 2 Measures
Whenpossible,theaimofTier2measuresshouldbetoinherentlyalterthestreetenvironmentinawaythatmakeslowerspeedsmorecomfortablefordriversand
1.6‐6 Traffic Calming
increasestheirawarenessofthepresenceofbicyclistsandpedestrians.Onlywhereothermeasuresarenotfeasibleshouldmoreintrusivedevicessuchasspeedhumpsandroadclosuresbeused.
6.2.2.1 Textured and Colored Pavement
Texturedandcoloredpavementsmaybeusedtoannounceentryintoatrafficcalmedarea.Materialssuchasbrick,cobbles,stampedconcreteandconcretepaversmaybeusedalongtheentireroadway,inlimitedsections,oralongthepavementedgestosignaltodriversthattheyareinapedestrianzone.
Pros::Changesthedriverperspectiveandcanbeeffectiveinalertingdriverstochangeinsetting.Texturedpavementcanslowdriversdown,muchlikecobblestoneswould.Cons::Long‐termmaintenancecostsneedtobeconsidered.Texturedpavementmaypresentdifficultiesforpedestrianandbicyclists,particularlyinwetconditions.
6.2.2.2 Traffic Circle
Raisedcircularislandsconstructedinthecenterofintersections.Thisdesignrequiresvehiclestokeeprightandtravelthroughtheintersectioninacounter‐clockwisedirectionaroundtheisland.Trafficcirclescanbeplacedatbothfour‐wayandthree‐wayintersections.
Pros::Slowstrafficasdriversapproachcircle;Improvesaccessfromsidestreet;Breaksupsightlinesonstraightstreets;changesthecontextofthestreetandcanmakethecorridormoreaestheticallypleasinginneighborhoodsettings.Cons::Introducespossibledriverconfusionastowhohastheright‐of‐way.Possibleimpactstolargevehiclesturningleft;Couldpotentiallyimpactemergencyresponsetimes;bicyclistsmustmergewithtrafficaroundtrafficcircle.
6.2.2.3 Modern Roundabout
Amodernroundaboutisalargeraisedcircularislandinstalledinthecenterofanintersection.Thedesignrequiresvehiclestoslowdownandnavigatearoundtheislandinacounter‐clockwisedirection.Unlikeatraditionaltrafficcircle,amodernroundaboutrequiresvehiclestoyieldtovehiclesalreadyinthe
Section 1 – Chapter 6
Traffic Calming 1.6‐7
roundaboutandthegeometryisspecificallydesignedtorestrictspeeds.Modernroundaboutsmaybeusedinplaceoftrafficsignalsathighervolumeroads.
Pros::Slowstrafficasdriversapproachcircle;Improvesaccessfromsidestreet;Breaksupsightlinesonstraightstreets;changesthecontextofthestreetandcanmakethecorridormoreaestheticallypleasinginneighborhoodsettings.Cons::Mayrequirerightofwayfromadjacentproperties;Introducespossibledriverconfusionastowhohastheright‐of‐way;Couldpotentiallyimpactemergencyresponsetimes;bicyclistsmustmergewithtrafficaroundtrafficcircle.
6.2.2.4 Curb Extension
Alsoknownasbulb‐outs,curbextensionsextendthesidewalkorcurblineoutintotheparkingcrossingsbyreducingthepedestriancrossingdistance,visuallyandphysicallynarrowingtheroadway,improvingtheabilityofpedestriansandmotoriststoseeeachother,andreducingthetimethatpedestriansareinthestreet.
Pros::Pedestriancrossingdistancesarereduced;Narrowedroadwaysectioncancontributetoreducedspeeds;Breaksupdriversightlines;Introducesopportunityforlandscapingandvisualenhancementsfortheneighborhood.Cons::Mayreducevisibilityforbicyclists;Mayrequirelossofon‐streetparking;Expensivetoconstruct;Mayincreaseemergencyresponsetimes;caninterferewithsnowremovaloperations;Mayimpactdrainagealonggutterlines.
6.2.2.5 Edge Treatment
Edgetreatments,suchasraisedcurbs,provideuniformcrosssectionswithidentifiableedgesalonganentirecorridor.Theyoftensignalalowerdesignspeedtodrivers.Raisedcurbsalsoallowplacingroadsideobjectssuchastreesandstreetfurnitureclosertotheroadway,producingatrafficcalmingeffect.Wherecurbsareimpractical,pavementmarkingsorchangesinpavementtexturemaybeusedtocreateasimilareffect.
Pros::Mayslowtrafficalongcertaincorridors;Easytoinstall;Mayhavepositiveimpactonstormwatermanagement.Cons::Notself‐enforcing;Mayhavenegativeimpactonutilitiesandstormwatermanagementifnotproperlyconsidered.
6.2.2.6 Median Island
Raisedislandsplacedinthecenterofaroadwaytoseparateopposingtraffic.Theycanbeplacedmid‐blockoratentrancesintoneighborhoods.Mediansnarrowtheroadway,displacingavehicletotherightwhichtendstoslowtraffic.Thesecanbeovalor
1.6‐8 Traffic Calming
ellipticalshaped.Thoseislandsusedatacrosswalktoprovideapedestrianrefugeincreasepedestriansafetybyallowingpedestrianstocrossonedirectionoftrafficflowatatime.Typically,mediansarelandscapedtoprovidevisualenhancement.
Pros::Narrowedlanescanslowvehiclespeeds;Providesshorterdistancesincertaininstancesforpedestrianstocross;Opportunityforlandscapingandvisualenhancementstoneighborhood.Cons::MayinterruptdrivewayaccessandresultinU‐turnsattheendofmedians;Possiblelossofon‐streetparking;highcosttoconstruct;possibleimpacttostormwatermanagement;mayinterferewithsnowremovaloperations.
6.2.2.7 Gateway Treatment
Agatewayisaphysicalorgeometriclandmarkthatindicatesachangeinenvironmentfromahigherspeedarterialorcollectorroadtoalowerspeedresidentialorcommercialdistrict.Theyoftenplaceahigheremphasisonaestheticsandarefrequentlyusedtoidentifyneighborhoodandcommercialareaswithinalargerurbansetting.Gatewaysmaybeacombinationofstreetnarrowing,medians,signing,archways,roundabouts,orotheridentifiablefeatures.Gatewaysshouldsendaclearmessagetomotoriststhattheyhavereachedaspecificplaceandmustreducespeeds.
Pros::Alertsdriverstothetransitionfromhigh‐speedroadwaystolower‐speedsettings;Canbeaestheticallypleasingandbetterdefineneighborhoods.Mosteffectiveoninfrequentusersofthecorridor.Cons::Long‐termmaintenancecostsforlandscapingshouldbeconsidered;mayonlybeeffectiveinslowingdriversastheytransitionintoneighborhood;notshowntobeeffectiveforfrequentcommuters.
6.2.2.8 Chicane
Chicanesconsistofaseriesofcurbextensionsthatnarrowthestreetatselectedpointsandforcemotoriststoslowdowntomaneuverbetweenthem.TheyalternatefromonesideofthestreettotheothertoformS‐shapedcurves.Chicanescreateapark‐likeenvironmentandencourageadditionalgreeneryandplantings,butmustbedesignedcarefullytoavoiddriversfromdeviatingoutoftheappropriatelane.
Section 1 – Chapter 6
Traffic Calming 1.6‐9
Pros::Mayslowdriversandreducecut‐throughtraffic;Changesthelookofthestreet;Hasminimalimpactonemergencyresponse.Cons::Requiresdesignandexpensiveimplementation;Likelytorequiremodificationstostormwaterdrainage;mayimpacton‐streetparking;mayimpactsnowremovaloperations;Withoutproperplanning,canhavelittletonoimpactoncut‐throughtraffic.
6.2.2.9 Choker or Neckdown
Chokersaresimilartocurbextensionsthatnarrowastreetbycreatingamid‐blockpinchpointalongthestreet.Chokerscanbecreatedbybringingbothcurbsin,orbyinstallingplantingstrips.Theycanbedonemoredramaticallybywideningonesideatamid‐blocklocation.Theycanalsobeusedatintersections,creatingagatewayeffectwhenenteringastreet.
Pros::Narrowedlanescanslowvehiclespeeds;Breaksupdriversightlines;Increasespedestrianandmotoristvisibility.Cons::Possiblelossofon‐streetparking;Narrowlanesdirectbicyclistsintovehiculartravellanes;Impactstostormwaterdrainage;highcosttoconstruct;mayimpactsnowremovaloperations.
6.2.2.10 Diverter or Partial Closure
Adiverterisanislandbuiltataresidentialstreetintersectionthatpreventscertainthroughand/orturningmovements.Partiallyorfullyclosingaccesstoaneighborhoodstreetwillcertainlyincreasetrafficonsurroundingstreets.Theseshouldbeusedasmeasuresoflastresortandonlyconsideredifotherlessrestrictivephysicalmeasureshavefailed.
Pros::Reducescut‐throughtraffic;Channelstrafficflow,thuseliminatingvehicularconflictsatsomeintersections;canbedesignedtoaccommodateemergency
1.6‐10 Traffic Calming
vehicles;presentsopportunitiesforlandscapingandvisualenhancementstoaneighborhoodsetting.Cons::Willredirecttraffictootherlocalstreets;causesincreasedtraveltimesforlocalresidents;highcosttoconstruct;isapermanentmeasurethatmayonlyaddressproblemsduringcertaintimesoftheday;mayrequireremovalofon‐streetparking;needssignificantwarningandguidancesignage;mayaffectsnowremovaloperations.
6.2.2.11 Reduced Corner Radii
Reducingthecurbradiiatanintersectionforcesdriverstoslowdowntomaketighterturns.Careshouldbetakenwhenusingthistrafficcalmingapproachasreducedradiicanlimittheturningmovementsoftrucks,busesandemergencyresponsevehicles.
Pros::Selfenforcing;potentiallyreducesthecrossingdistanceforpedestrians.Cons::Maynegativelyimpacttheabilityoflargevehiclestonegotiateturns;mayimpactemergencyresponsetimes.
Section 1 – Chapter 6
Traffic Calming 1.6‐11
6.2.2.12 Roadway Closure
Afullroadwayclosurecompletelycutsofftraffictothroughvehicles,leavingonlypedestrianandbicycleaccess.Theseclosuresaretypicallyusedonlyasalastresortafterothertrafficcalmingmethodstoreducecut‐throughtraffichavefailed.Astreetmaybeclosedatanintersectionormid‐blockthroughtheuseofwalls,bollards,landscapedislands,orgatesthatallowemergencyvehicleaccess.
Pros::Selfenforcing;Restrictsallthroughtraffic;Effectiveatvolumeandspeedcontrol;MayImprovetheaestheticqualityofthestreet;Canallowforcontinuedpedestrianandbicycleflow,Cons::Mayredirectdriverstootherstreets;Highcosttoconstructandmaintain;couldresultinrightofwaytakingsastheabilityforvehiclestoturn‐aroundneedstobeprovided;Mayincreasetriplengthsfordrivers;mayimpacton‐streetparking;Impactstoemergencyresponseroutes.
6.2.2.13 Turn Restriction
Turnrestrictionscaninsomecasesbealow‐costmethodofreducingcut‐throughtraffic,buttheyrequireenforcement.
Pros::Inexpensive.Reducescutthroughtraffic;Effectiveatvolumeandspeedcontrol.Cons::Mayredirectdriverstootherstreets;Mayincreasetriplengthsfordrivers;
6.2.2.14 Speed Hump
Speedhumpsareraisedsectionsintheroadwayapproximately3incheshighattheircenterandextendingthefullwidthofthestreet,taperingnearthedrainguttertoallowunimpededbicycletravel.Thetraditionalhumprangesfrom14feetto22feetinlength.Thelongerhumps,alsoknownasspeedtables,aremuchgentlerforlargervehicles.Speedhumpsaretypicallyplaced200to600feetapart.Speedhumpsaredifferentthanspeedbumps,whicharecommonlyseeninparkinglotsoronprivatestreets.TheCityofNorwalkdoesnotallowspeedbumpsonpublicstreets.Speedhumpscanhelpcontrolspeedingandcutthroughtrafficonlocalneighborhoodstreets.
1.6‐12 Traffic Calming
Unliketraditionalpoliceenforcement,speedhumpsprovidecontinuousservice.Speedhumpsaremostusefulwhenspeedsareinexcessof35mphintheimmediatevicinityofthespeedhump.Theyarelesseffective,however,inbetweeninstallations.Speedhumpscanbeveryeffectiveifusedappropriately.Thereare,however,somenegativeimpactstheymayhave: Residentslivingnearspeedhumpsmusttolerateincreasednoiselevelsasvehicles
traversespeedhumpsdayandnight.
Vehiclesmaydriveonsidewalksorthroughfrontyardstoavoidspeedhumps.
Trafficmaybedivertedtootherstreetsintheneighborhood.
Police,fireandemergencymedicalserviceresponsetimessuffer.
Motorizedstreetsweepingequipmentcannotbeusedatspeedhumplocations.
Speedhumpsinterferewithstreetrepaving,decreasingtheeffectivenessofboththespeedhumpandthenewpavementsurface.
Speedhumpsblocktheflowofdrainagewateronsomestreetsandcancausefloodingproblems.
Speedhumpsrequiresigningandstriping,whichsomeresidentsconsiderunattractive.
Pros::Selfenforcing;Maydecreasetrafficvolumes;requiresminimalmaintenance.Cons::Likelytoincreasenoiseinthevicinityofthehump;potentialtoimpactdrainage;mayincreaseemergencyresponsetimes;difficulttoreplace.
6.2.2.15 Raised Intersection
Araisedintersectionisessentiallyaspeedtablefortheentireintersection.Constructioninvolvesprovidingrampsoneachvehicleapproach,whichelevatestheentireintersectiontothelevelofthesidewalk.Theycanbebuiltwithavarietyofmaterials,includingasphalt,concrete,stampedconcrete,orpavers.Thecrosswalksoneachapproacharealsoelevatedaspartofthetreatmenttoenablepedestrianstocrosstheroadatthesamelevelasthesidewalk,eliminatingtheneedforcurbramps.
Pros::Selfenforcing;Providesclearcrossinglocationforpedestrians;Increasesdriverawareness.Cons::Likelytoincreasenoiseinthevicinityoftheintersection;potentialtoimpactdrainage;mayincreaseemergencyresponsetimes;difficulttoreplace;mayimpactsnowremovaloperations.
Section 1 – Chapter 6
Traffic Calming 1.6‐13
6.2.2.16 Raised Crosswalk
Araisedpedestriancrossingisalsoessentiallyaspeedtable,withaflatportionthewidthofacrosswalk,usually10to15ft.Raisedintersectionsandcrosswalksencouragemotoriststoyield.
Pros::Selfenforcing;Maydecreasetrafficvolumes;requiresminimalmaintenance.Cons::Likelytoincreasenoiseinthevicinityofthecrosswalk;potentialtoimpactdrainage;mayincreaseemergencyresponsetimes;difficulttoreplace;mayimpactsnowremovaloperations.