Unified Methodology for Estimating Efficiency of Traffic Calming Measures – Example of Estonia

Authors

  • Juri Ess Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
  • Dago Antov Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3846/bjrbe.2016.30

Keywords:

efficiency, Estonia, Global Navigation Satellite System, methodology, traffic calming, traffic calming measures, traffic safety, traffic study.

Abstract

Traffic calming is an integral part of contemporary traffic planning and traffic management being used for fulfilling different tasks such as reducing vehicle speed and traffic volume, and in final terms reducing number of accidents. Traffic calming measures are notstandardized internationally and have significant differences in geometric shape and layout in different countries, as well as in Estonia. At the same time impacts of different calming measures are unstudied well, and often the surveys are incomparable to each other. There are also no certain recommendation which measures should be implemented under different conditions. One of the reasons for that is lack of tested methodology for estimating the effectiveness of calming measures. This paper describes research that aimed at developing such a methodology and conducting a pilot study to test it. Effectiveness of traffic calming measures is estimated from the perspectives of vehicle speed and public acceptance. The new methodology assumes conducting an experiment. It allows comparing efficiency of two or more measures of the same type. The pilot study was conducted in Tallinn with a sample of 30 drivers. Results of this study proved that the new methodology is suitable for estimating effectiveness of traffic calming measures.

References

Ariën, C.; Brijs, K.; Brijs, T.; Ceulemans, W.; Vanroelen, G.; Jongena, E. M. M., Stijn, D.; Wets, G. 2014. Does the Effect of Traffic Calming Measures Endure over Time? – A Simulator Study on the Influence of Gates, Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour 22: 63–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2013.10.010

Ariën, C.; Jongen, E. M. M.; Brijs, K.; Brijs, T.; Stijn, D.; Wetsa, G. 2013. A Simulator Study on the Impact of Traffic Calming Measures in Urban Areas on Driving Behavior and Workload, Accident Analysis and Prevention 61: 43–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2012.12.044

Banister, D. 2009. Traffic Calming in the United Kingdom: the Implications for the Local Economy. Firenze University Press. 47 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.13128/Aestimum-7251

Berthod, C. 2011. Traffic Calming – Speed Humps and Speed Cushions, Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture 7(4): 456–465.

Corkle, J.; Giese, J. L.; Marti, M. M. 2002. Investigating the Effectiveness of Traffic Calming Strategies on Driver Behavior, Traffic Flow and Speed. Report No. MN/RC –2002-02. Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB). 107 p.

Čygaitė, L.; Lingytė, I.; Strumskys, M. 2014. Analysis of Vertical Traffic Calming Measures in Impacts on Road Safety and Environment in Lithuania State Roads, in Proc. of the 9th International Conference “Environmental Engineering”. Ed. by D. Čygas; T. Tollazzi, 22–23 May, 2014, Vilnius, Lithuania. https://doi.org/10.3846/enviro.2014.150

El-Basyouny, K.; El-Bassiouni, Y. M. 2013. Modeling and Analyzing Traffic Safety Perceptions: an Application to the Speed Limit Reduction Pilot Project in Edmonton, Alberta, Accident Analysis and Prevention 51: 156–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2012.11.009

Garrod, G. D.; Scarpa, R.; Willis, K. G. 2002. Estimating the Benefits of Traffic Calming on through Routes: a Choice Experiment Approach, Journal of Transport Economics and Policy 36(2): 211–231.

Granà, A.; Giuffrè, T.; Guerrieri, M. 2010. Exploring Effects of Area-Wide Traffic Calming Measures on Urban Road Sustainable Safety, Journal of Sustainable Development 3(4): 38–49. https://doi.org/10.5539/jsd.v3n4p38

Huang, F. H.; Cynecki, M. J. 2001. The Effects of Traffic Calming Measures on Pedestrian and Motorist Behavior. Report No. FHWA-RD-00-104. Highway Safety Research Center. University of North Carolina. 30 p.

Jazcilevich, A.; Vázquez, J. M. M.; Ramírez, P. L.; Pérez, I. R. 2015. Economic-Environmental Analysis of Traffic-Calming Devices, Transportation Research Part D 36: 86–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2015.02.010

Langdon, P. 2003. Calming Rural Roads: How Traffic Calming and Context-Sensitive Design Can Improve Small Towns Bisected by State Routes, Planning 69(5): 30–33.

Lee, G.; Joo, S.; Oh, C.; Choi, K. 2013. An Evaluation Framework for Traffic Calming Measures in Residential Areas, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment 25: 68–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2013.08.002

Mountain, L. J.; Hirst, W. M.; Maher, M. J. 2005. Are Speed Enforcement Cameras More Effective than other Speed Management Measures? The Impact of Speed Management Schemes on 30 mph Roads, Accident Analysis and Prevention 37(4): 742–754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2005.03.017

Pau, M.; Angius, S. 2001. Do Speed Bumps Really Decrease Traffic Speed? An Italian Experience, Accident Analysis and Prevention 33(5): 585–597. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-4575(00)00070-1

Pinkerton, B.; Rosu, A.; Janssen, I.; Pickett, W. 2013. Active Transportation Safety Features Around Schools in Canada, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 10: 5711–5725. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10115711

Downloads

Published

27.12.2016

How to Cite

Ess, J., & Antov, D. (2016). Unified Methodology for Estimating Efficiency of Traffic Calming Measures – Example of Estonia. The Baltic Journal of Road and Bridge Engineering, 11(4), 259–265. https://doi.org/10.3846/bjrbe.2016.30