Traffic calming treatments have been implemented on local streets through open-minded application of speed humps, circles, and various other devices. Often emergency service providers are concerned about the abundance of traffic calming devices and their impact on emergency response times. Currently, there is a need to address higher order streets, such as collector and arterial roadways, which are intended to carry the large volume of traffic.

Transportation professionals are constantly working hard to improve the safety and efficiency of our roadway networks, especially freeways. Among these efforts are removing roadside obstacles, providing wider lanes, and managing access. As a result, accidents have been reduced and capacity increased. Some of these elements have been implemented on arterials, collectors and local streets, at times with mixed results. Although the capacity has increased, accessibility, neighborhood livability, and pedestrian and bicycle mobility and safety have declined.

Often on-street parking replaces tree lines and wide sidewalks are replaced by inhospitable expanses of pavement. The implementation of freeway design principles for lower roadway hierarchy has dramatically increased speeding and accidents. Thus, traffic calming is a daily activity in all public works departments across the nation.

A well designed roadway takes into consideration mobility and safety while addressing the environmental aspects and improving neighborhood livability. To attain such a balance, tradeoffs among these factors are needed and are routinely performed. Thus, an emphasis should be placed on the existing flexibility in design guidelines and the use of creative design in addressing the site-specific project needs.

A study performed by FHWA indicated that, in European countries, the general philosophy for roadway design and project development is to develop a transportation program and system that enhances community values and integrates roadways into communities and the environment. This philosophy permeates their project development process, safety improvements, roadway design concepts, geometric design guidelines, public involvement, and environmental commitments. Furthermore, several European agencies employ the use of multi-disciplinary teams to develop design solutions, which allows them to approach problems from several possible angles. Such an approach considers and addresses all phases of the project when appropriate and thus reduces project time and possible costs. Moreover, consideration is given to the desires and needs of the community by inviting the appropriate stakeholders to participate in the development of the project and thus shape some of the solutions that are acceptable to the community. This approach is currently promoted by FHWA and AASHTO and it should be continued in the future until it becomes an integral part of the design process in the United States.

Traffic calming involves context sensitive design practices, which means that roadway planners and engineers have flexible standards that can accommodate community values and balanced objectives. In new urbanized areas, traffic calming features should be incorporated into the design of new developments and urban redevelopment. It can make urban streets safer and quieter. It can increase residential property values and local economic activity. Context-sensitive design is a term being used for the project development process, including geometric design, which is responsive to or consistent with the road’s natural and human environment. One of the main issues facing South Florida Public Works agencies is the increase in demand of traffic calming implementation to slow vehicle speed and reduce cut-through traffic. This has placed a burden on the budget of those agencies. In order for those agencies to fulfill their obligation towards the South Florida resident in providing a quality life, the following is recommended:

• Develop traffic calming processes, criteria and analysis methodologies.

• Develop flexible design standards for all roadway types to provide livability for residents, safety for both motorized and non-motorized users, and efficient mobility.

• Increase awareness among practitioners and roadway designers and encourage the use of traffic calming devices, such as roundabouts, where success is guaranteed.

• Incorporate traffic calming features in any new construction or reconstruction projects.

• Identify funding mechanisms to fund traffic calming projects.

• Integrate projects in communities by addressing the public concerns for speed reduction and aesthetics during the project development phase.

• Local agencies should participate in state projects as they are more capable of addressing specific needs and local concerns.

• Include design workshops as part of the public involvement programs to alleviate conflicts between highway agencies and the public and to reduce project planning times by resolving issues in the early stages of the project.

• Design self-enforcing roads to address safety in an efficient way for all users by implementing an aesthetic approach to explain the road function and enforce speed.