The Effectiveness of Traffic Calming Pinch-Points

Type of content
Conference Contributions - Other
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
University of Canterbury. Civil and Natural Resources Engineering
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2011
Authors
Chai, C.
Nicholson, A.
Koorey, Glen
Abstract

Research investigated the effect of roadway widths for street narrowings or "pinch-points" in Christchurch, with a particular focus on speed and yielding behaviour. A 6m wide 2-way pinch-point was found to be not effective in slowing most private vehicles down. Drivers travelled at a similar speed whether they were crossing the pinch-point by themselves or with opposing traffic approaching. Approximately 40% of drivers reduced their vehicle speed when negotiating a 5m wide 2-way pinch-point. Around 20% of drivers avoided traversing with oncoming traffic and opted to wait until it was clear before proceeding. Male drivers also tended to travel faster through the narrowing when compared to female drivers. For a 4.5m wide 1-way pinch-point where motor vehicles and cyclists approached them simultaneously, one of them gave way and waited nearly60% of the time. Around 35% of the time cyclists and motorists shared the narrowing and 8% of the cyclists (mostly younger children) avoided the narrowing, using a bypass instead. It is recommended that further research be conducted: 1. at more sites with different road widths and environment; 2. with heavy vehicle movements on these pinch-points; 3. to understand whether a longer pinch-point will alter driver behaviour.

Description
Citation
Chai, C., Koorey, G., Nicholson, A. (2011) The Effectiveness of Traffic Calming Pinch-Points. Auckland, New Zealand: IPENZ Transportation Group Conference 2011, 27-30 Mar 2011. 11pp.
Keywords
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Fields of Research::40 - Engineering::4005 - Civil engineering::400512 - Transport engineering
Field of Research::12 - Built Environment and Design::1205 - Urban and Regional Planning::120506 - Transport Planning
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