9. Traffic Calming Measures for Safer Pedestrian Movement

Traffic calming helps protect vulnerable users like those with disabilities by reducing vehicle speeds.

Traffic calming refers to design strategies that help reduce the speed of traffic in areas where pedestrians are present. This is especially important for protecting vulnerable pedestrians, such as individuals with disabilities, by providing them with safer environments to move. When vehicle speeds are lower, the likelihood of accidents decreases, and it also becomes easier for pedestrians to cross streets.

Imagine crossing a street as a game of dodgeball. If the players (cars) are moving fast, it's hard to dodge them and get to the other side safely. But if the players move slower, it becomes much easier to avoid them, and you can cross with less worry.

• Flat-topped speed tables functioning as pedestrian crossings. • Surface should contrast with the road using colored paving or thermo-plastic paint. • Must have tactile warning tiles on both sides.

Raised crosswalks are essentially elevated pedestrian crossings that help to slow down vehicular traffic and provide a safe area for pedestrians to cross. These crosswalks are designed to be noticeable through contrasting colors on their surfaces, which can aid both sighted pedestrians and those with visual impairments. Additionally, tactile warning tiles help visually impaired pedestrians detect the crosswalk.

Consider a speed bump that you drive over — when you feel that bump, you know to slow down. Raised crosswalks act like those bumps, signaling to drivers that they need to be cautious and aware during pedestrian crossings.

• Chicanes slow vehicles by introducing lateral shifts. • Neckdowns (bulb-outs) shorten crossing distance and improve visibility for pedestrians.

Chicanes are curved road segments that make drivers navigate laterally, which slows the vehicles down. Neckdowns, or bulb-outs, extend the sidewalk into the street at corners, reducing the distance pedestrians need to cross. These designs improve pedestrian visibility as they reduce the crossing distance and create a safer environment, making it easier for pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities, to cross.

Think of chicanes like a winding path through a garden that slows your walking speed. It’s a little longer to go around the bends, but it’s easier to enjoy the view. Neckdowns are like having a shorter bridge over a stream rather than a long, meandering path; it makes crossing much quicker for pedestrians.

• Avoid abrupt humps that cause discomfort for mobility-impaired users. • If rumble strips are used, they must not interfere with wheelchair wheels or canes — smoother versions preferred in pedestrian spaces.

Speed bumps and rumble strips are tools used to slow down vehicles. However, it's essential that these features are designed thoughtfully. Abrupt bumps can be uncomfortable or hazardous for individuals with mobility challenges, such as those using wheelchairs or canes. Thus, using smoother designs ensures that these individuals can navigate the roadway without jarring disruptions.

Imagine riding a bike over a bumpy road; it can be uncomfortable and hard to control your speed. That’s what speed bumps can feel like for someone in a wheelchair. So we need to ensure that speed bumps are gentle, making the journey smoother and safer for everyone.

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