CALMING RISK

Seconds Count

Problems with Traffic Calming Projects

Boulder crosswalk

"Delivering on the Promise "
Self-Evaluation to Promote Community Living for People with Disabilities
Report to the President on Executive Order 13217
VII. What transportation and transportation-relate barriers to full community inclusion are there to people with disabilities? Speed Bumps and Humps
http://www.hhs.gov/newfreedom/final/dotfull.html#descript (link added August 2005)
or http://www.hhs.gov/newfreedom/final/pdf/dot.pdf (link added August 2005)
(In pdf format, see pages 26 and 27.)
U.S. Department of Transportation, Last revised: October 14, 2003

"Building a True Community"
X02.6 Vehicular Ways and Facilities. / X02.6.6 Vertical and horizontal deflection measures.
http://www.access-board.gov/prowac/commrept/part3-02-6.htm (link added August 2005)
or http://www.access-board.gov/prowac/commrept/PROWreport.pdf (link added August 2005)
(In pdf format, see pages 4 and 124.)
Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee, January 2001

"TRL614 - Impact of road humps on vehicles and their occupants"
http://www.calmingrisk.com/TRL614abstract.pdf (link added January 2007)
"Based on these predictions, it is considered that vehicle occupants are very unlikely to be injured as a result of single or repeated traversing of road humps. The exceptions to this statement are people with pre-existing conditions that result in either degenerated discs or weak bones, in which case they could be more susceptible to injury depending on the seriousness of their condition."
J Kennedy, C Oakley, S Suman, I Parry (TRL Limited) and E Wilkinson, J Brown (Millbrook Proving Ground Ltd), Transport Research Laboratory, 2004
NOTE:
- Unlike the original abstract posted to the TRL website, the current description - http://www.trl.co.uk/store/report_detail.asp?srid=5477&pid=108 - does not mention the exception for pre-existing medical conditions.

San Francisco, The Mayor's Disability Council, Resolution 2001-02 Traffic Calming
http://www.sfgov2.org/index.aspx?page=302 (link added September 2005)
"RESOLVED, that ... the Council, based on testimony from members of the disability community and testing by members of the Council, does not support the use of vertical deflection traffic calming solutions."
The Mayor's Disability Council, "Resolution 2001-02 Traffic Calming", July 2001

Pain - Paratransit User
(Note: Paratransit is one term for the accessible alternative to fixed route bus service.)
http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/oxfordshire/archive/2003/01/14/ALLNEWS2ZM.html (link added August 2005)
"... she was a prisoner in her own home because speed humps made road travel unbearably painful for her."
This is Oxfordshire, " 'Digger' has global appeal", January 14, 2003

Fatality - Pedestrian using Wheelchair - "Lupke’s Accident Spotlights Danger"
(Note: Speed humps can create barriers or hazards for pedestrians when sidewalks are not available or not accessible.)
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?ArchiveDate=09-23-03&storyID=17440 (link added August 2005)
"Lupke’s closest alternatives to Ashby — Russell Street to the north and Prince Street to the south — have speed bumps which are painful for some disabled people to traverse. Fred avoided speed bumps if he could ...”
Berkeley Daily Planet, "Lupke’s Accident Spotlights Danger", September 23, 2003

The textured surface on the crosswalk creates unnecessary vibrations for pedestrians using wheelchairs and scooters.
The textured surface on the crosswalk creates problems for pedestrians with balance impairments.
The stronger contrast makes the wavy line outside the crosswalk the dominant visual cue. The painted line should be the dominant feature for pedestrians with low vision.
The wavy line creates problems for pedestrians with balance impairments (often cane and walker users).