Effectiveness of Speed Calming Measures Along Arterial Roads

Abstract

AbstractExcessive speed is one of the main factors in road traffic safety problem, increasing accident probability and affecting accident severity. To elevate the level of road safety, traffic calming measures like speed bumps, speed humps, raised crosswalks, rumble strips need to be implemented. This aids to reduce vehicle speeds at locations where low speed is essential, especially at accident-prone locations. The analysis based on the study carried out on outer ring road, Bengaluru city, India. The effectiveness of three types of traffic calming interventions viz., circular humps, trapezoidal humps and rumble strips is considered. Studies have been carried out to know the effect of different types of speed calming measures on speed of the vehicles. The performance of traffic calming measures in reducing vehicle speed is analysed, and the effect of speed calming measures on different categories of vehicles is presented. Trapezoidal humps are found to be more effective in reducing speeds of cars, motor bikes, auto-rickshaws, LCV, HCV and buses by 33.9, 22.8, 31.8, 29.5, 34.9 and 29.5%, respectively compared to rumble strips. The highest speed reduction is observed in buses followed by HCV compared to other class of vehicles. Regression analysis showed high correlation greater than 0.8 for speed of all class of vehicles.KeywordsRumble stripsCircular humpsTrapezoidal humpsVehicular speed