Web site offers traffic calming research, resources
Finding reliable information on traffic calming techniques and implementations will be easier, thanks to a new Web site sponsored by the Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB). The site, "Traffic Calming in Minnesota", offers a searchable database of projects in Minnesota and downloadable reports from LRRB-funded research projects.
The term "traffic calming" covers a range of techniques designed to curb undesirable driver behaviors such as speeding and cutting through residential neighborhoods, as well as to increase safety for pedestrians, motorists, and other road users. Although numerous projects have been implemented across the U.S., traffic calming is relatively new in this country, so there are few available standard references for communities and researchers to consult.
Research reports by researchers from the University of Minnesota and Mn/DOT are available on the site. The reports offer a range of perspectives on traffic calming, including design principles and examinations of the psychological effects of various traffic calming measures on drivers.
The site also offers guidelines for collecting data on the effects of traffic calming implementations. Better data collection practices should lead to improved decision-making capability for engineers and policymakers who are interested in applying traffic calming techniques.
"Traffic Calming in Minnesota" is a welcome addition to the available resources on this important traffic management tool. For more information on the site, or if you are a city/county engineer who would like to add a project to the implementation database, contact info@mn-traffic-calming.org.