An Intro On How To Maintain A Good Traffic Management
Traffic Management schemes are introduced to solve an identified problem on one or more roads. The need for a traffic management scheme can be identified in a variety of ways. It may, for example, be a bad accident record or the concerns of residents that prompts an investigation. Sometimes the Council adopts an "area wide" approach to traffic problems, for example, where there is a need for several residential roads to have "Speed Control Humps" installed. To deal with this, priority is given to the worst problems first. Potential schemes are assessed against the following policies:
* To achieve safe movement by reducing accident levels.
* To provide conditions for enhancing the capabilities of mass transport systems
* To lessen air pollution by preventing the concentration of too many vehicles at a given time on a certain road or area
* To seek equitable levels of mobility and accessibility for all groups of people, particularly for those presently disadvantaged in mobility terms i.e. people with disabilities, children, parents with prams, the old and the infirm.
* To prevent excessive parking on the roadsides
* To improve pedestrian safety, accessibility and convenience.
* To provide access for cyclists
Many traffic measures require the publication of a formal Notice in the press. A three week period is allowed for objections to be received. Formal objections are considered and schemes may need to be re-designed with further Notices being published. Then a legally enforceable Traffic Order can be made and the scheme introduced. The Council, as Highway Authority, is responsible for introducing and maintaining the physical measures and for making any necessary Traffic Orders but with the exception of parking schemes, enforcement of Traffic Orders is the responsibility of Police.
Traffic Management Systems Models
Each of the techniques to be employed in the traffic management of roads is usually meant to solve particular situations. The following points are just some of the most commonly used traffic management solutions in many parts of the globe.
Physical Speed Controls
These are a form of speed control hump which are wide enough to allow a wide wheelbase vehicle to pass unhindered. Buses or fire engines are not affected by them, whereas a smaller wheelbase vehicle, such as a car, would have to have at least one set of wheels on the hump. Thus cars are slowed, whereas large vehicles like buses and trucks are generally unaffected. These are intended to overcome the objections of the Emergency Services and Bus Companies. They bring speed reduction measures to roads that would otherwise not have them introduced.
Temporary Barriers and Throttles
Chicanes and throttles are intended to reduce traffic speed by reducing the available roadway width throughout a short length.
* Chicanes provide a simple mechanism that forces automobiles to decrease speed.
* Throttles lessen the road's width for the sole purpose of reducing vehicular speed and allow pedestrians to cross safely.
Kerb Build Outs
Roadside parking, especially near intersections can be very hazardous. To resolve this, curbs are installed near the intersection's approach. Consequently, these help prevent smashes at the intersection. Instances of pedestrians being run over are reduced. Motorists are also discouraged from parking their cars close to the crossing.
Width Controls
Constricting the roads consequently limits the access of larger vehicles (such as trucks), from using portions of a route. This is implemented by putting large posts on the road, giving notice to the drivers and preventing these larger vehicles from physically fitting on the road. However, this should not be done without providing access to other routes for the larger vehicles to detour around without making further inconveniences to the public.
