Using the Transport Research Laboratory TRL driving simulator to evaluate traffic calming measures. Prepared for Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions DETR, Driver Information Traffic Management Division DITM.

The report describes a pilot study which investigated the potential for using the TRL driving simulator to assess the effectiveness of traffic calming measures. The entrances to three real villages have been reproduced on the simulator. All the villages had traffic calming measures, in the form of signs and markings. Sixteen members of the public drove through the simulated villages, both with and without the traffic calming present. The speeds they drove at were compared with observations of sppeds made before and after the introduction of measures at the real villages. The result was that speeds and speed changes observed in the simulator were broadly comparable with those observed in real life. This suggests that the simulator could provide a useful means of assessing the effectiveness of traffic calming features involving signs and markings. Some chicanes and humps were also simulated and behaviour at these was also broadly comparable with that observed on the public roads. Aspects of trial design were investigated. (A)