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Techniques For Mitigating Urban Sprawl
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Strategy: Alternative Mode Support Strategies  - Facility and Systems Improvements
Policy Action: Traffic Calming
Definition:

Traffic calming includes a variety of techniques designed to balance the needs of all road users. Techniques for keeping cars moving at speeds that are safe for other road users include T-intersections, on-street parking, brick paving, zig-zag curves, narrowings, raised crosswalks, speed humps, chokers, diverters, median islands, channelization islands, chicanes, stop signs, neotraditional street design, street trees etc. For example, Gainesville, Florida has installed mini-traffic circles in its neighborhoods, and closed many residential streets to outside traffic. Source/Reference: Ewing, 1997, pp. 68-69; Victoria Transport Policy Institute


Texas Applications

Houston, Texas The city of Houston has developed a two-fold traffic calming approach: Neighborhood Traffic Projects and a Speed Hump Program. The ordinance for the first provides a codified nine-step process while the speed hump installation and removal manual provides the guidelines for the second. As of 1997, the city of Houston had completed 13 projects as part of Neighborhood Traffic Projects (NTP), most of which were emergency access gates and was designing 8 more. As part of the speed hump program, the city of Houston had overseen the construction of more than 700 speed humps on about 200 street segments. Article XV. Neighborhood Traffic Projects, Chapter 45 Traffic, Code of Ordinances, City of Houston Traffic Calming in Texas
http://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/traffic/docs/humps.pdf
http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=10123&sid=43

City of Austin, Texas

“The City of Austin Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program uses a variety of devices to reduce speeding on local streets and neighborhood collector streets. Traffic Calming Projects may also use devices that reduce traffic volumes and make the street a friendlier environment for pedestrians and bicyclists.”


Reports and Studies


Links

Institute Transportation Engineers web links
http://www.ite.org/traffic/documents/AHA97G76.pdf
http://www.ite.org/traffic/search.asp?=&keywords=&terms=118


Page References

Traffic Calming Resources — State to State links, etc.


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