Traffic management techniques are provided to answer problems that plague traffic on a road network. There are many instances which make traffic management a necessity. It may, for example, be a bad accident record or the concerns of residents that prompts an investigation. It is also possible that the Council implements a zonal method in resolving traffic issues. To deal with this, priority is given to the worst problems first. Potential schemes are assessed against the following policies:
*To ensure that vehicular flow limits the instances of mishaps.
*To create favorable situations for developing the public transport system.
*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 reduce the impact of commuter parking.
*To protect the rights and welfare of pedestrians.
*To promote cycling.
Any changes to be implemented by new traffic policies need to be publicized first, allowing for public comment. A three week period is allowed for objections to be received. If there are oppositions or suggestions, these will be given due consideration, resulting in any necessary adjustments in such policies before they are finally implemented. As the traffic policy making body, the Council will see to it that such rules are implemented accordingly by deploying the proper enforcing agencies, that may or may not be under its direct supervision.
Traffic Management Systems Models
There is no single solution to problems associated with traffic management. A variety of measures are used sometimes in combination.
Physical Speed Controls
These are mechanisms that are permanently placed on the road to force vehicles to slow down while still allowing them to go through. 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. Therefore these road humps (otherwise known as speed humps), address the speed problems particularly with cars. They bring speed reduction measures to roads that would otherwise not have them introduced.
Temporary Barriers and Throttles
Throttles and moveable barriers such as chicanes aim to limit speed at certain points of the road.
*Chicanes introduce a physical deflection into the vehicles’ horizontal path, thereby further reducing the vehicle speed.
*Throttles narrow the road, frequently to provide a safe crossing point for pedestrians, sometimes in conjunction with a speed table.
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. Pedestrians are similarly protected, have more space to stand and can also see and be seen better. Motorists are also discouraged from parking their cars close to the crossing.
Road Width Constrictions
Width restriction is a self enforcing means of restricting access for large vehicles on some roads. 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, these must only be installed after other roads have been provided to enable the affected trucks to take detours, while preventing the trucks from passing through areas meant for private residents.
Tags:
favorable situations,
public transport system,
traffic management systems,
traffic management techniques,
traffic policies