Traffic Calming: A Social Issue

Substantial urban growth fueled by a strong economy often results in heavy traffic thus making streets less hospitable. Traffic calming is one response to the pervasiveness of the automobile. The issues concern built environments and involve multiple actors reflecting different interests. The issues are rarely technical and involve combinations of behavior, social structure, and differential resources. Traffic calming takes many forms by attempting to serve many purposes. It is complex and confusing and is used by different people with different agendas. Traffic calming is not about applying techniques. It is a mindset. We must change both our perceptions and our behaviors. Instead of focusing on end-of-pipe solutions and on things, we must shift attention to the processes that generate things. Trying to accommodate more and more traffic is not the answer. Transportation is a means, not an end. What we are looking at is more people calming than traffic calming.

[1]  T Black.  SLOW RIDE: CALMING TRAFFIC , 1998 .

[2]  Tim Pharoah,et al.  Transport concepts in European cities , 1995 .

[3]  D. M. Elsom.  Effectiveness Of Traffic Management Measures In Improving Air Quality In European Cities , 1997 .

[4]  T Litman,et al.  EVALUATING TRAFFIC CALMING BENEFITS, COSTS AND EQUITY IMPACTS , 1999 .

[5]  Courtney Atkins,et al.  THE INFLUENCE OF TRAFFIC CALMING ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES , 1997 .

[6]  Hartmut H. Topp.  Traffic safety, usability and streetscape effects of new design principles for major urban roads , 1989 .

[7]  S Grava.  Traffic calming: Can it be done in America? , 1993 .

[8]  K Schlabbach,et al.  TRAFFIC CALMING IN EUROPE , 1997 .

[9]  Carmen Hass-Klau,et al.  The pedestrian and city traffic , 1990 .

[10]  B. Martin.  The child in the city: Changes and challenges. , 1980 .

[11]  Jeffrey Kenworthy,et al.  Sustainability and Cities: Overcoming Automobile Dependence , 1999 .

[12]  David Engwicht,et al.  Reclaiming Our Cities and Towns: Better Living with Less Traffic , 1993 .

[13]  William J. Davis,et al.  URBAN TRAFFIC CALMING TREATMENTS: PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND DESIGN CONFORMANCE , 1997 .

[14]  E Deakin,et al.  HOW LOCAL JURISDICTIONS FINANCE TRAFFIC-CALMING PROJECTS , 1999 .

[15]  Rodney R. White.  Urban Environmental Management: Environmental Change and Urban Design , 1994 .

[16]  Reid Ewing,et al.  U.S. EXPERIENCE WITH TRAFFIC CALMING , 1997 .

[17]  David N. Pellow,et al.  Handbook of Environmental Sociology , 2003, Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research.

[18]  D Lewis.  THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF TRAFFIC CALMING , 1998 .

[19]  J. Cloke,et al.  The environmental impacts of traffic management schemes , 1970 .

[20]  Tim M. Pharoah,et al.  Traffic calming policy and performance: The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany , 1991 .

[21]  C E Walter.  Suburban Residential Traffic Calming , 1995 .

[22]  W. Michelson.  Man and His Urban Environment: a sociological approach , 1970 .

[23]  W. Bunge,et al.  The Canadian alternative : survival, expeditions and urban change , 1980 .