DECISION MAKING PROCESS OF TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES: A Comparative Study

In this paper researchers describe the systematic implementation of traffic calming devices as a means of reducing high traffic speed and through traffic volume for residentially zoned areas. As few areas in Japan, where traffic calming is to be deployed, deploy calming in a systematic manner, researchers attempted to quantify the measures taken in North America and Europe through the use of questionnaires. Additional surveys were conducted as in-depth interviews in Largo, Maryland and Sacramento, California in the U.S. Researchers attempted to determine traffic calming issues and processes and what sorts of traffic calming devices have been implemented in the municipalities. Questions concerning political steps taken towards traffic calming that take account of local voter opinions were also asked. An evaluation of the received surveys is also presented.