Traffic calming

Traffic calming slows traffic in residential areas by building road humps or other obstructions. It is just one aspect of council’s overall plan to reduce the effect of traffic on local streets.

The goal is to:

• lower traffic speeds
• reduce accidents
• lower the volume of traffic.

This can happen with a traffic calming plan. Developing a calming plan involves:

• wide community consultation
• traffic data collection
• selection of traffic calming structures
• effects across the whole local traffic area will be given consideration.

This process may take several months to complete.

There are several traffic calming structures that can become part of the plan. These include:

Entry statement: A main road intersecting with a minor road, there is paving at the entry to the minor road with a road divider and traffic void area. There is roadside tree planting on the side of the road.

Driveway link: The creation of a serpentine travel path (paved) at an intersection or mid street and is accompanied by landscaped verges.

Road hump: A bump that rises above the surface of the roadway and spans its width. It is marked to indicate it is a different level to the road surface.

Slow point: A slow point is made to reduce vehicle speeds by the making a short narrow section of roadway that must be driven through at low speed and may have plants on the side of the short narrow section of roadway.

Modified T-intersection: Intersections that have a constructed kerbed blister on the kerb at the head of a T-intersection and where possible central curved medians to affect a change in a vehicle's travel path. There is planting on the blister.

Roundabout: A well designed roundabout is a safe and effective form of intersection control that can be installed on both four legged and three legged intersections. It has a central island and tree planting in the middle  with a void area on each leg of the island leading up to the central roundabout.

Limitations

While traffic calming has its benefits, it is not the answer to all local traffic problems. Please be aware that traffic calming cannot:

• remove all through traffic
• eliminate hoon-like behaviour
• prevent traffic accidents
• prevent drivers from speeding
• solve parking problems.

Council will not consider installation of one-off traffic calming structures. Each structure has specific functions as part of the plan. Traffic calming structures cannot be installed on steep or unsealed roads, or on roads carrying high volumes of traffic. Many common local traffic problems should be referred to the police, (for example, hooning or speeding) or to council’s Regulatory Services (e.g. illegal parking) for enforcement of the relevant laws.

Potential impacts

Residents should be aware of effects that may happen in areas where traffic calming has been put in place, including:

• loss of street parking
• increase in noise and fumes next to the traffic calming structures due to slowing down and then gathering speed
• increased glare at night from car lights and additional street lighting
• increased maintenance costs to council
• increase in traffic volume in neighbouring streets
• slower access for emergency vehicles.

The process

The success of traffic calming hangs on design and community acceptance. Making a new calming plan involves the following steps.

1. Establishing the need.
2. Survey and data collection.
3. Study of the survey and data information.
4. Selection of the right traffic calming devices.
5. Consultation with the community.
6. Detailed design of the accepted plan.
7. Funding.
8. Construction phase.
9. Post construction checking.

Making an application

Now that you have read more about traffic calming, you may want to suggest this as an option for your local area. To do so you will need to:

• Consult with your neighbours – at least three other residents in your street will need to support your suggestion.
• Write to council with your idea – either by email, letter, or delivered over the counter to one of council's customer service centres.

Your written idea must include the names and addresses of at least three other residents in your area. Council will acknowledge receipt of your suggestion within ten days. Council officers will look at your suggestion  in accordance with the above process.

Please be aware that traffic calming is expensive and will not be undertaken on a one-off basis. Council officers may be able to recommend other options to address the problems raised.

More information

• Use the online form below to advise if this information was helpful. Suggestions may be made anonymously.
• If you need more information, please complete the request for information online form.
• If you would like to talk to someone from council, you can contact council's customer service centre.
• To request council to take action on a particular issue, please complete the request for service online form