METHODS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC SPEED IN HIGH-PEDESTRIAN RURAL AREAS
Many Minnesota counties are faced with the problem of high vehicle speeds through towns or resort areas that have significant pedestrian traffic. The impact of speed reduction strategies in high-pedestrian areas in rural counties of Minnesota was investigated. Speed data were collected at two selected study sites under their existing conditions ("no-treatment" or "before" condition) and after the proposed speed reduction strategies were installed. Second "after" data conditions were collected to study the short-term and long-term impact of the implemented strategies. The traffic-calming techniques employed at the Twin Lakes site consisted of removable pedestrian islands and pedestrian crossing signs. A dynamic variable message sign that sent a single-word message ("Slow") to motorists traveling over the speed limit was installed at the Bemidji site. The research study shows that the traffic-calming strategy deployed in Twin Lakes was effective in significantly reducing the mean speed and improving speed limit compliance in both the short term and long term. Despite proven effectiveness, the deployed speed reduction treatment in Bemidji Lake failed to lower the speed at the study site. The single-word message on the sign and the location of the sign, as well as a lack of initial enforcement, were the primary reasons for such failure.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Public/Blurbs/153109.aspx
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Supplemental Notes:
- This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1828, Pedestrians and Bicycles 2003.
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Corporate Authors:
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001 -
Authors:
- Kamyab, A
- Andrle, S
- Kroeger, D
- Heyer, D S
- Publication Date: 2003
Language
- English
Media Info
- Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
- Pagination: p. 31-37
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Serial:
- Transportation Research Record
- Issue Number: 1828
- Publisher: Transportation Research Board
- ISSN: 0361-1981
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Impacts; Pedestrian safety; Pedestrian signs; Rural areas; Speed control; Strategic planning; Towns; Traffic calming; Variable message signs
- Uncontrolled Terms: Pedestrian islands
- Geographic Terms: Bemidji Lake (Minnesota); Minnesota; Twin Lakes (Minnesota)
- Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00962824
- Record Type: Publication
- ISBN: 0309085616
- Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Sep 10 2003 12:00AM