Traffic calming

Traffic calming consists of a package of measures affecting the movement of vehicles and other traffic for the purpose of promoting safety, or preserving or improving the environment. The essence of traffic calming lies not so much in the use of specific measures, but in the achievement of the objectives of improving driver awareness and behaviour. Traffic calming is a generic term used in reference to tools used to change the horizontal and/or vertical alignments, introduce road narrowing/build outs, roundabouts, entrance gateways or coloured surfacing.

Traffic calming is principally used in residential roads, shopping areas and outside schools. Works are financed by the County Council and/or developers through agreements. Consultation on proposals takes place with elected Members, the Public, Town/Parish Councils, statutory groups and others, usually through direct contact and public exhibitions.

Speed humps, platforms and cushions are probably the most effective form of traffic calming available for controlling vehicle speeds. Their effectiveness relies on causing inconvenience to drivers and therefore they may not always be popular with the very people who would gain from reduced traffic speeds.  There is also often opposition from the Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance Service and Bus Companies to the use of speed control humps. The Emergency Services object because humps increase their attendance times for emergency calls, and thus risk the lives and property of the people. The Ambulance Service and Bus Companies object because of the discomfort and possible injury that may be caused to their passengers and the increased wear and tear on vehicles, particularly buses going over speed tables every day.

Speed control humps can lead to complaints about increased noise and sometimes increased vibration from traffic. They have however been proved to reduce traffic speed and they have been installed in many locations.

If you would like to discuss the possibilities for traffic calming in your area, please contact the relevant District or Borough Traffic Team  via Links to the Traffic Management Services (or the County Council’s Traffic Management Group in the case of East Hampshire) via the Contact us link.  Requests can also be made to Parish and Town Councils who may be able to work with the County Council on a Parish partnership initiative.