Traffic calming
Traffic calming measures such as speed humps and tables (raised traffic calming devices, for use on lower speed roads), speed bumps (tall, narrow strips, typically in parking lots), pedestrian center crossing islands, and roundabouts strategically modify the built environment to affect traffic speed and patterns1. Traffic calming measures can be implemented independently or as a component of larger efforts to improve streetscape design2. Traffic calming measures are used in urban, suburban, and rural areas3; in rural communities, such efforts often reduce speeds as drivers transition from high-speed roads into lower-speed zones4.
What could this strategy improve?
Expected Benefits
Our evidence rating is based on the likelihood of achieving these outcomes:
Reduced traffic speed
Potential Benefits
Our evidence rating is not based on these outcomes, but these benefits may also be possible:
Increased pedestrian and cyclist safety
Increased active transportation
Reduced crashes
What does the research say about effectiveness? This strategy is rated scientifically supported.
There is strong evidence that traffic calming measures reduce traffic speed and redistribute traffic5, 6, 7, 8. Traffic calming measures can also increase pedestrian and cyclist safety9 and increase bicycling and walking10, 11. Additional evidence is needed to determine which measures are most effective.
Traffic calming measures such as speed humps, single-lane roundabouts, and reduced speed limit zones reduce traffic speed5, 12. Speed humps are particularly effective ways to reduce pedestrian-vehicle crashes that involve children6. Single-lane roundabouts can reduce crashes and fatal crashes13, 14. Area-wide traffic calming measures have been shown to reduce traffic injuries, as well as the frequency and severity of crashes5, 7.
Traffic calming measures implemented with broader streetscape design efforts have been shown to reduce crashes8, 15. Pedestrian refuge islands, sidewalks, crosswalks, advanced yield signs and markings, exclusive pedestrian signal phasing8, 15, 16, and increased lighting8, 16, for example, can reduce the risk of pedestrian-vehicle crashes. Red light cameras and speed cameras have been shown to reduce casualty crashes12, 17.
Single-lane roundabouts can improve traffic performance (e.g., reduce intersection delay, queue lengths, and idling), which may reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions13. Midblock crosswalks enhanced with rectangular rapid flash beacons may increase the likelihood that drivers yield to pedestrians18.
Costs for infrastructure improvements vary significantly both by locale and type of improvement; for example, the median cost is $1,670 for a speed bump, $2,130 for a speed hump, $10,460 for a pedestrian refuge island, and $27,190 for a traffic circle/roundabout19.
How could this strategy impact health disparities? This strategy is rated no impact on disparities likely.
Implementation Examples
Traffic calming programs are in place in urban, suburban, and rural areas around the country2.
Implementation Resources
US DOT-Traffic calming - US Department of Transportation (US DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Safety: Traffic calming ePrimer.
PFPS-Traffic calming - Project for Public Spaces (PFPS). Traffic calming 101: Toolbox outlining how to alter streets and parking, add roundabouts/traffic circles/raised medians/speed humps, and create an environment friendly to people on foot.
UNC-Bushell 2013 - Bushell MA, Poole BW, Zegeer CV, Rodriguez DA. Costs for pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure improvements: A resource for researchers, engineers, planners, and the general public. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Highway Safety Research Center; 2013.
PALTA-Traffic calming - Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (PALTA). Conservationtools.org. Traffic calming: purpose, planning & approval process, and case studies.
WA DOT-Roundabout - Washington State Department of Transportation (WA DOT). What is a roundabout.
Footnotes
* Journal subscription may be required for access.
1 US DOT-PedSafe - US Department of Transportation (US DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). PedSafe. Pedestrian safety guide and countermeasure selection system: Countermeasures.
2 US DOT-Traffic calming - US Department of Transportation (US DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Safety: Traffic calming ePrimer.
3 Gulden 2016 - Gulden J, De La Garza J. Traffic calming. In: Pande A, Wolshon B, eds. Traffic Engineering Handbook. 7th ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc; 2016:501-540.
4 Hallmark 2013 - Hallmark SL, Knickerbocker S, Hawkins NR. Center island with raised curbing for rural traffic calming. Tech Transfer Summaries. Ames, IA: Center for Transportation Research and Education, Iowa State University; 2013.
5 Cochrane-Bunn 2003 - Bunn F, Collier T, Frost C, et al. Area-wide traffic calming for preventing traffic related injuries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2003;(1):CD003110.
6 Rothman 2015 - Rothman L, Macpherson A, Buliung R, et al. Installation of speed humps and pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions in Toronto, Canada: A quasi-experimental study. BMC Public Health. 2015;15(1):774.
7 Morrison 2003 - Morrison DS, Petticrew M, Thomson H. What are the most effective ways of improving population health through transport interventions? Evidence from systematic reviews. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 2003;57(5):327-33.
8 Retting 2003 - Retting RA, Ferguson SA, McCartt AT. A review of evidence-based traffic engineering measures designed to reduce pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes. American Journal of Public Health. 2003;93(9):1456-63.
9 CG-Physical activity - The Guide to Community Preventive Services (The Community Guide). Physical activity.
10 Winters 2010 - Winters M, Brauer M, Setton EM, Teschke K. Built environment influences on healthy transportation choices: Bicycling versus driving. Journal of Urban Health. 2010;87(6):969-993.
11 Morrison 2004 - Morrison DS, Thomson H, Petticrew M. Evaluation of the health effects of a neighbourhood traffic calming scheme. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 2004;58(10):837-840.
12 Mountain 2005 - Mountain LJ, Hirst WM, Maher MJ. Are speed enforcement cameras more effective than other speed management measures? The impact of speed management schemes on 30 mph roads. Accident Analysis & Prevention. 2005;37(4):742–54.
13 Hu 2014 - Hu W, McCartt AT, Jermakian JS, Mandavilli S. Public opinion, traffic performance, the environment, and safety after construction of double-lane roundabouts. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2014;2402:47-55.
14 Qin 2013 - Qin X, Bill A, Chitturi M, Noyce DA. Evaluation of roundabout safety. Transportation Research Board 92nd Annual Meeting. 2013.
15 Zegeer 2017 - Zegeer C, Lyon C, Srinivasan R, et al. Development of crash modification factors for uncontrolled pedestrian crossing treatments. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2017;2636:1-8.
16 Cochrane-Beyer 2009 - Beyer FR, Ker K. Street lighting for preventing road traffic injuries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009;(1):CD004728.
17 Cochrane-Aeron-Thomas 2005 - Aeron-Thomas A, Hess S. Red-light cameras for the prevention of road traffic crashes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2005;(2):CD003862.
18 Foster 2014a - Foster N, Monsere CM, Carlos K. Evaluating driver and pedestrian behaviors at enhanced, multilane, midblock pedestrian crossings. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2014;2464:59-66.
19 UNC-Bushell 2013 - Bushell MA, Poole BW, Zegeer CV, Rodriguez DA. Costs for pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure improvements: A resource for researchers, engineers, planners, and the general public. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Highway Safety Research Center; 2013.
Related What Works for Health Strategies
To see citations and implementation resources for this strategy, visit:
countyhealthrankings.org/take-action-to-improve-health/what-works-for-health/strategies/traffic-calming
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countyhealthrankings.org/whatworks