Transverse Speed Bars for Rural Traffic Calming. Tech Brief

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Transverse Speed Bars for Rural Traffic Calming. Tech Brief

S. L. Hallmark / S. Knickerbocker / N. Hawkins

Small rural communities often lack the expertise and resources necessary to address speeding and the persistent challenge of slowing high-speed through traffic. The entrances to communities are especially problematic given that drivers must transition from a high-speed, often-rural roadway setting to a low-speed community setting. The rural roadway provides high-speed mobility outside the community, yet the same road within town provides local access and accommodates pedestrians of all ages, on-street parking, bicycles, and other features unique to the character of a small community. Drivers who have been traveling for some distance on the high-speed road, and are traveling through the community, may not receive the appropriate clues that the character of the roadway is changing and may not adjust their speeds appropriately. Addressing speeding issues is an even greater challenge given that smaller communities typically lack engineering staff and resources, which can lead to decisions that may not conform to accepted design guidance. For instance, many rural communities set speed transition zones too low a significant distance outside the community, before there is any practical need for drivers to slow down.