Evaluation of the effectiveness of speed tables combined with other traffic calming measures and their community acceptance in Mauritius

Abstract

Traffic Calming Measures (TCMs) are believed to be most effective in mitigating road safety issues when combined together as part of a traffic calming scheme. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of speed tables in combination with other TCMs in reducing vehicle speed while simultaneously assessing their acceptance by the community in Mauritius. Four speed table design combinations implemented at identified high risk road segments were analysed in this research. These are: (1) Speed table in combination with rumble strips and changed surfacing; (2) Speed table in combination with pinch points and changed surfacing; (3) Speed table and changed surfacing; and (4) Two speed tables in combination with round-top humps and changed surfacing. On-site surveys were carried out using the moving car method and android speedometer application for spot speed measurements and face-to-face questionnaire interviews to gauge community acceptance. All four design combinations were found to result into a speed reduction of between 30 and 50% at the centre of the traffic calmed zone. However, it was observed that rumble strips did not have the desired effect of reducing vehicular speed and were not favoured by people in the community due to noise and vibration associated with them. Additionally, the community acceptance survey indicated that the public generally viewed speed table combinations as having positive impact on road user safety, with people finding that a pavement with rough surface texture and a change in colour would provide the highest impact for speed reduction. The study has shown that policy makers should consider speed tables in combination with pinch points for implementation where pedestrian crossings are required while speed tables with humps should be considered outside residential areas to minimise disturbance.