Traffic Calming

General Description:

Traffic calming is a concept that seeks a more harmonious relationship between vehicular traffic and people.  Physical, visual, and other innovative techniques are used to manipulate traffic flow to reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users. 

Effects of Solution:

¨ Increase Passenger Throughput

¨ Increase Roadway Capacity

¨ Manage System Efficiency

þ Reduce Local Demand (Discourages speeding and usage)

Examples of Implementation:

No specific examples available at the time of publication.

Cost/Financial Information:

Sources: Traffic Calming for Communities, available at http://www.ite.org/traffic/index.html and United States Department of Transportation Intelligent Transportation Systems ITS Benefits, Costs and Lessons Learned Databases.  Available at http://www.benefitcost.its.dot.gov

(Cost/financial information is estimated, and will vary based on size and scope of project, number of units, etc.)

Typical Traffic Calming Costs:		Unit Costs
	Asphalt walkway	$30-40/lineal foot (5-foot width)
	Bike lanes	$6.50/sq. ft.
	Center medians	$15,000-20,000/100 feet
	Chicanes	$5,000-15,000
	Chokers	$7,000-$10,000
	Curb bulbs	$10,000-20,000/bulb
	Curb ramps	$1,500/ramp
	Marked crosswalk	$100-300 for painted crosswalks, $3,000 for patterned concrete
	Pedestrian refuge island	$6,000-9,000
	Raised intersection	$15,000-50,000/intersection
	Speed humps	$2,000/hump
	Street closures	$3,000-35,000
	Traffic circles	$4,000-15,000
	Traffic signals	$95,000-115,000/signal
	Traffic signs	$200/sign

Additional Resources:

Traffic Calming Benefits, Costs and Equity Impacts.  By Todd Litman of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute. http://www.vtpi.org/calming.pdf

http://www.trafficcalming.org/

Traffic Calming Toolbox, available at: http://www.ite.org/traffic/index.html

Federal Highway Administration: Flexibility in Highway Design

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/flexibility/index.cfm

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