Traffic calming is the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users.

-The Institute of Transportation Engineers

Traffic calming is a set of street designs and traffic rules that slow and reduce traffic while encouraging walkers and cyclists to share the street. Behind traffic calming is the belief that streets are valuable public spaces that should be shared equally by all users. Traffic calming devices are simple, inexpensive, self-enforcing, and easily modified to accommodate emergency vehicles, garbage trucks, and buses.

Traffic calming reduces traffic accidents, increases the safety and convenience for pedestrians and other non-motorists, gives more space for children to play, eliminates noise and pollution, improves scenery, provides neighborhood revitalization and stability, and reduces crime.

Goals of Traffic Calming

Fewer traffic accidents.
Safety and convenience for pedestrians and other non-motorists.
More space for children's play.
Elimination of noise and pollution.
Improved scenery.
Neighborhood revitalization and stability.
Less crime.

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How is Traffic Calming Done?

Raising the surface of the street in certain spots-- for example, by installing speed humps.
Adding fixtures that motorists must drive around-- such as landscaped islands in the middle of intersections.
Narrowing the street, to give drivers the feeling that they're in a crowded place, which help make them slow down.
Totally or partially closing a street-- for example, by blocking half the entrance to a side street so drivers cannot turn in, but can still come out.

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Why Traffic Calming?

Traffic calming devices are physically self-enforcing-drivers are forced to slow down to avoid an uncomfortable ride, and possible damage to their cars.

Traffic calming devices can also be designed to achieve a desired speed-e.g. 15 mph-which drivers are physically compelled to meet.

Speed humps only cost around $2000, and traffic circles about $4000, and both require little maintenance.

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Why Not a Traffic Light or a Stop Sign?

Traffic lights and stop signs are designed to control the flow of traffic, not as speed controls or pedestrian safety devices.

Traffic lights and stop signs can exacerbate already existing speeding problems. Drivers will speed up to make it through a traffic light, and will often ignore a stop sign in a new location. Must have continual police enforcement to be effective.

Traffic lights cost $40,000 each, are expensive to install and need regular maintenance and a continuous flow of electricity.

Below are some traffic calming devices that can now be used in NYC neighborhoods because of the NYC Slow Speed and Traffic Calming law.

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Speed Humps...
--Are a modern cousin to the speed bump, but are more attractive and effective.
--Can be adjusted in size and shape in order to achieve a desired speed.
--Are inexpensive, yet their effects can be profound.

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Mini Traffic Circles...
--Are small round-abouts placed in the middle of an intersection.
--Can replace traffic lights and stop signs at intersections, improve intersection safety and decrease speeds.

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Sidewalk Extensions (a.k.a. neckdowns or bulbouts)…
--Bring the curb out into the parking lane at the intersection, shortening the crossing distance for pedestrians.
--Force drivers to turn more sharply, thus more slowly.
--Eliminate the ability for aggressive drivers to use the parking lane to pass other drivers at lights.
--Can serve as a 'gateway,' informing motorists that they've gone from one kind of street to another.

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Raised Crosswalks…
--Are speed humps at a crosswalk location and provide both speed control and greater pedestrian protection.
--Warn drivers that special care must be taken at intersections for pedestrian safety.

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Medians…
--Can be placed in the center of an arterial to reduce the crossing distance, reduce speeds and give pedestrians a refuge area in the middle of a wide arterial
--Arterials can even be turned into boulevards by designing wider medians that include landscaping, and recreational and relaxation opportunities (e.g. play areas and park benches)

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The NYC Traffic Calming Law

Text of the New York State Traffic Calming Law

Amendment to Title 8, Article 39, Section 1642 of the NY State Vehicle and Traffic Law. It was signed into law by Governor Pataki on September 28, 1999.

The impetus for the law was that the previously mandated minimum speed limit and street design speed of 30 mph severely limited traffic calming measures that could be employed.

The NYC Traffic Calming Law permits NYC to use traffic calming measures -- defined as 'any physical engineering measure or measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users such as pedestrians and bicyclists'--to design streets for speeds as low as 15 mph.

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Examples of Potential Uses of the Traffic Calming Law

Dangerous intersections on major arterial streets like Queens Boulevard or the Grand Concourse can receive sidewalk extensions and elevated crosswalks that provide speed control and greater pedestrian protection.

Residential neighborhoods that suffer from speeding and dangerous driving can get speed humps, mini traffic circles or medians-- devices that slow down or discourage traffic.

Neighborhoods that are inundated by traffic could implement 20 mph slow speed zones, reversals of street direction, and multiple speed humps as part of an area-wide traffic calming plan.

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