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12 - Traffic calming
Traffic calming is the term used to describe physical features provided
along a road to encourage drivers to reduce speed.These features are
introduced for the safety of all road users,particularly pedestrians
and cyclists. Traffic calming schemes can employ a variety of measures,
including road humps and narrowings. Warning signs often indicate
the type of measure to be expected. There may be an entry sign at
the boundary of an area that has traffic calming features
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Entrance
to a traffic-calmed area. The name of the area may be shown.
The sign may also be used in advance of the area and show a
distance. Where the traffic-calmed area is reached by turning
into a side road, the sign will include an arrow |
Road
humps
Road humps may have a flat or round top, extending across the width
of the road or covering a whole junction. They may also be in the
form of a "cushion", covering only part of a traffic lane and designed
to allow buses and large emergency vehicles to straddle them, whilst
slowing other vehicles. Except in a 20 mph zone, warning signs are
erected at the beginning of the road where a hump or series of humps
is installed.
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Road
humps for distance shown. May be varied to "Hump" with distance
omitted
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Road
humps for distance shown and in direction indicated
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Road
hump for distance shown and in direction indicated
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A
road hump is normally marked with white triangle and edge line
markings. |
| Zebra
and signal-controlled pedestrian crossings are sometimes located
on flat-top humps. These maybe indicated by advance warning |
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Road narrowings
Roads may be reduced in width by the use of build-outs on oneor both
sides. When placed on both sides, they may be oppositeeach other or
staggered. Priority through the narrowing may becontrolled by signs
and "give way" markings. It is essential thatyou obey signsindicating
priorityto vehicles comingfrom the opposite direction.
If priority is not given to either direction at a road narrowing,
youshould ensure that you can pass through without endangeringoccupants
in vehicles approaching from the other direction. Donot accelerate
on the approach to a narrowing, but maintain aslow steady speed and
be prepared to give way to approachingtraffic. Let any cyclists proceed
ahead of you.
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Road
narrows on left (right if symbol reversed)
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Road
narrow son both sidesHome
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Warning
signs indicatingwhich side the narrowingoccurs may be used inadvance,
especially wherepriority signs and markingsare not provided. |
Zone20 mph zones
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Some
traffic-calmed areas are indicated by the 20 mph zone entry
sign. This sign, aswell as indicating a 20 mph speed limit,
warns drivers that they are entering an area withtraffic calming
features, suchas road humps and road narrowings. These features
may not be individually signed, nor are there likely to be 20
mph speed limit repeater signs. In these areas, it is important
that you adopt a steady low speed and avoid repeated acceleration
and deceleration. |
Home Zones
Home Zones are residential areas with streets designed to be places
for people aswell as for motor traffic. The road space is shared among
drivers and other road users. People could be using the Entrance to
a Home Zone 20 mph zones Some traffic-calmed areas are indicated by
the 20 mph zone entry sign. This sign, aswell as indicating a 20 mph
speed limit, warns drivers that they are entering an area with traffic
calming features, such as road humps and road narrowings. These features
may not be individually signed, nor are there likely to be 20 mph
speed limit repeater signs. In these areas, it is important that you
adopt a steady low speed and avoid repeated acceleration and deceleration.
Entrance to a 20 mph zone End of 20 mph zone and start of 30 mph speed
limit 75 whole of the space for a range of activities. You should
drive slowly and carefully and be prepared to stop to allow people
extra time to make room for you to pass them in safety.
Quiet
Lanes
Some minor rural roads may be designated as Quiet Lanes.These are
appropriate for shared use by walkers, cyclists, horseriders and
motorvehicles. You shoulddrive slowly and carefullyand be prepared
to stopto allow people extratime to make room foryou to pass them
insafety.
Other
features
Rumble devices acrossthe road, either in theform of strips or
largerareas, may be used toprovide a visual, audibleand vibratory
effect, oftenin rural locations. Theintention is to alertdrivers
to a hazardahead, usually a bendor road junction, andencourage
them toreduce speed. A warning sign may be used in association
with arumble device to identify the hazard, but the device itself
is notthe hazard and is not usually specifically signed.
Gateways into villages may be formed from the combination ofspeed
limit signs, yellow backing boards and village name plates.Central
hatched markings or islands may also be used toseparate opposing
traffic. Drivers approaching the gateway sshould reduce speed
and observe the speed limit all the waythrough the village.
Some parts of the carriageway may have a coloured surface toemphasise
the road markings.
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