In modern urban planning, managing vehicle speed and ensuring pedestrian safety have become crucial components of designing liveable cities. Traffic calming devices play a pivotal role in slowing down vehicles, reducing road accidents, and making neighbourhoods safer and more accessible for everyone.
In Australia, urban areas are increasingly adopting traffic calming strategies to address issues of speeding and congestion. At Traffic Products Australia, we understand the importance of implementing effective traffic calming devices and provide a variety of solutions to meet urban planning needs. Below is a comprehensive look at the top traffic calming devices commonly used in Australian cities and suburbs.
1. Speed Humps
One of the most familiar and widely used traffic calming tools is the speed hump. Designed to force drivers to slow down, speed humps are effective in residential areas, school zones, and parking lots.
Speed humps are typically made from rubber, asphalt, or concrete, and they’re strategically placed to reduce speeds to around 10–30 km/h. Unlike speed bumps, which are sharper and cause abrupt deceleration, speed humps have a more gradual incline, providing smoother traffic flow while still encouraging caution. These products are designed to be highly visible, even in low-light conditions, enhancing road safety further.
2. Raised Pedestrian Crossings
Raised pedestrian crossings are another effective traffic calming solution. These are essentially pedestrian crossings elevated to the same level as the footpath, causing vehicles to slow down as they approach the crossing.
In urban settings, where pedestrian activity is high, raised crossings not only slow traffic but also give pedestrians right-of-way and enhance accessibility, particularly for prams, wheelchairs, and the elderly.
Local councils and transport authorities across Australia are increasingly incorporating raised crossings as part of broader streetscape upgrades. Their dual function traffic slowing and pedestrian safety makes them a popular option for city planners.
3. Chicanes and Lane Narrowing
Chicanes are artificial curves or turns in a road, forcing drivers to reduce speed. Often used in long, straight urban streets where speeding is common, chicanes create a visual and physical break in the road that encourages slower, more attentive driving.
Similarly, lane narrowing uses physical or visual measures like kerb extensions, painted lines, or bollards to reduce the width of a driving lane. When lanes appear narrower, drivers instinctively slow down.
Bollards, a product category we supply at Traffic Products Australia, can be used as part of these measures. Our range includes removable, fixed, and flexible bollards, designed for urban environments where adaptability and visibility are key.
4. Traffic Islands and Centre Medians
Traffic islands and centre medians are used to separate traffic lanes and control vehicle movement. They also serve as pedestrian refuges, making it safer for people to cross busy roads in stages.
Centre medians can be landscaped, improving not just functionality but also the aesthetics of urban streets. Islands can be used in conjunction with roundabouts or chicanes to direct and slow traffic.
These devices are particularly effective in calming traffic at intersections, where the potential for accidents is high. When implemented properly, they can drastically reduce speeds and enhance overall safety.
5. Rumble Strips
Rumble strips are a simple but powerful traffic calming tool. These are raised or grooved patterns installed on road surfaces, creating audible and tactile feedback when a vehicle passes over them.
Commonly used before pedestrian crossings, school zones, or sharp turns, rumble strips alert drivers to upcoming changes in road conditions. They’re effective in both rural and urban areas, especially where additional driver attention is required.
While not as visually dramatic as speed humps or chicanes, rumble strips offer a low-maintenance, long-lasting solution to encourage safer driving habits.
6. Mini Roundabouts
Mini roundabouts are smaller versions of traditional roundabouts and are particularly useful in urban areas where space is limited. By requiring vehicles to yield and navigate a circular path, they naturally slow down traffic while maintaining continuous flow.
Mini roundabouts also reduce the severity of collisions compared to traditional intersections, as they eliminate right-angle and head-on crashes. These features make them highly valued in suburban settings where high volumes of local traffic are expected.
7. Road Signage and Pavement Markings
Sometimes the most effective traffic calming measures are the simplest. Clear, visible signage and strategic pavement markings can drastically affect driver behaviour.
Signs indicating speed limits, pedestrian crossings, or upcoming traffic devices prepare drivers to slow down and pay attention. Similarly, pavement markings such as painted speed zones, cycle lanes, or warning lines create visual cues that promote cautious driving.
At Traffic Products Australia, we offer a wide range of traffic signage and related products to help councils and contractors implement clear and effective road messaging.
8. Speed Cushions
Speed cushions are similar to speed humps but are narrower, allowing larger vehicles like buses and emergency services to straddle them without slowing down significantly. Passenger cars, on the other hand, must reduce speed to pass over them comfortably.
This makes speed cushions ideal for main urban roads where it’s crucial to control car speeds without impeding essential services. They balance safety with efficiency, a vital consideration in fast-paced city environments.
Conclusion
Urban areas face unique challenges when it comes to traffic management and road safety. The combination of high pedestrian volumes, varied road users, and increased vehicle traffic demands a thoughtful and strategic approach.
Traffic calming devices such as speed humps, raised crossings, chicanes, and roundabouts are not only effective in reducing speed but also in promoting a safer and more liveable urban environment.
Traffic Products Australia proudly supports communities across the country by supplying quality traffic control and safety products designed for Australian conditions. Whether you’re managing a small suburban street or a busy city corridor, we have the expertise and product range to help create safer spaces for all road users.For more information on traffic calming devices or to view our product range, visit us at Traffic Products Australia.
