This paper describes traffic calming at the local, traffic route, and metropolitan levels, discusses theories and practices at each level, and gives some examples of how it is or could be implemented in Australia. Such practice can be transferred elsewhere. The goals and principal objectives of traffic calming at all these levels are stated. Except where a traffic calming measure is applied to a very specific identified safety issue, and is unlikely to redistribute traffic, a local area traffic management (LATM) study requires public participation, which is often extensive. The most popular LATM devices include: (1) roundabouts; (2) speed humps; (3) slow points, where streets are narrowed for a short distance; narrowed for a short distance; and (4) single-lane devices. Traffic calming on traffic routes is usually introduced by: (1) adopting some sort of road classification; and (2) altering the management of arterial roads along the route, in relation to levels of traffic conflict and adjacent land uses. Approaches to metropolitan traffic calming include: (1) segmentation of supply; (2) demand reduction; (3) pricing policies; (4) reduced road supply; (5) improved public transport; (6) travel restriction policies; and (7) urban planning policy and land use control.
Samenvatting