Various types of horizontal deflections (chicanes) have been used in traffic calming to reduce the speed of traffic. The results in terms of effectiveness and public acceptability have not always been successful. In order to provide advice to local highway authorities the Department of Transport has funded research into the design and effectiveness of chicanes. The report describes the results from trials held on the TRL test track, in February, 1994, into the performance of horizontal deflections (chicanes). Chicanes were constructed on the central area of the TRL test track using inter-locking plastic lane kerbing. A selection of cars and large vehicles, including coaches, buses, an articulated articulated lorry and a fire tender, were used in the trials. Relationships were established between the mean speed through the chicane and the chicane parameters: stagger length, free view width, lane width and visual restriction. (A)
Abstract