A Cognitive Review of Urban Traffic Calming Measures
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4025/actascitechnol.v48i1.70944Resumo
Urban roads have always facilitated traffic movement between different regions, serving as the main road systems for metropolitan transportation networks. In developing nations, vehicles with varying physical and dynamic attributes share the same road space, unlike in developed countries where cars and heavy vehicles dominate the entire traffic. Over-speeding has turned out to be a key contributor in majority of road fatalities, significantly influencing the severity of injuries in an accident. Traffic calming is effective particularly in areas where speeds are either excessive or unsuitable for the road’s function and usage. Such measures include speed humps, speed tables, chicanes, speed bumps, rumble strips, and roundabouts to reduce vehicle speeds, lower accident rates, and create safer spaces where vulnerable road users such as children and the elderly are at higher risk. It not only improves traffic safety but also fosters a more pleasant urban environment, directly supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. Critically, while these measures offer significant benefits, their success depends on context-sensitive design and community involvement. The optimal performance of traffic calming strategies can only be achieved with rigorous planning, consistent design principles, and public consultation to ensure that the interventions do not inadvertently create traffic problems. The continuous vandalism of speed bumps, large variations in geometric styles, inconsistent and unsafe design, reporting of major accidents at these measures led to the need of understanding various aspects of traffic calming. The current study reveals several key aspects, namely, scientific aspect, design aspect, cognitive aspect, planning aspect and the area-wise aspect of traffic calming schemes that were researched through a comprehensive literature review. The results have shown that perception is a significant predictor of the driver's compliance and credibility of traffic calming, and by considering it, policymakers can improve the effectiveness of speed-reducing measures that meet the requirements of all road users.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Kshitij Jassal, Umesh Sharma (Autor)
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