​ Traffic Calming | The City of Lakewood, Ohio

Traffic Calming


What is Traffic Calming?

 Traffic calming is the use of physical solutions to reduce traffic speeds and/or cut-through traffic with the goal of making streets safer and more accessible for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. It has been proven as an effective way to reduce speeding on residential streets, avoid traffic crashes, and prevent needless fatalities.

There are many strategies for traffic calming including speed humps or tables, emergency-friendly speed cushions, lane narrowing, traffic circles, and improved bicycle access with designated bike lanes. These solutions are used to create more complete streets that offer safe access to all users.

Traffic calming has been shown to: 

  • Reduce speeding
  • Improve speed limit compliance
  • Decrease injury severity when crashes occur
  • Lower fatality rates
  • Encourage varied transportation modes
  • Improve street aesthetics
  • Increase property value
  • Reduce crime

  

Woodward Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio (Photos at street level and from above)

Chicanes designating bump outs and alternating sides of the street for parking.  Naturally slows traffic because visually it narrows the street for the driver causing the driver to slow down and take caution.  The chicanes pictured have been replaced with curbs and plantings as a more permanent feature. (Seen from Above)

Examples of other options for traffic calming:

 

Speed Awareness Signs

 

3D Crosswalks

 

Speed Bumps with Pinch Points

 

Traffic Speed Tables

 

Traffic Circles