Urban sprawl and automobile dependency have resulted in significant traffic growth throughout the world. These trends in automobile travel can place considerable strain on the roadway network’s ability to safely accommodate all users within the public right-of-way. In many cases, a lack of arterial road capacity will cause motorists to choose collectors and local roads to bypass a congested turning movement, intersection or corridor. This inappropriate use of neighbourhood streets can have the negative effects such as:

1. Arterial road congestion can cause motorists to look for parallel or alternative routes to reach their destinations.These parallel/alternative roads then begin to take on greater traffic volumes and function in ways that were not intended at the time of planning. For example, a local road or collector becomes a mid-block arterial bypass.

2. Motorists operate vehicles at speeds which are not appropriate for the residential roadway and/or the roadside environment.

3. The safety of all road users is decreased due to volume, speed and other compliance issues.

In general, the above impacts typically occur in older established neighbourhoods next to busy traffic areas. Therefore it is required to have traffic calming measures in the neighbourhoods.The course material is based entirely on the FHWA report number FHWA-RD-00-104: The Effects of Traffic Calming Measures on Pedestrian and Motorist Behavior.

At the conclusion of this course, the learner will have a better understanding of the effects of traffic calming measures on pedestrian and motorist behavior as well as the following:

• Knowledge of various traffic calming measures
• Understanding various effects due to speed humps
• Knowledge of Bulbouts and average pedestrian wait time for crossing
• Knowledge of Raised Crosswalks
• Knowledge of Raised Intersections and Refuge Islands