Basis, principles and measures for traffic calming and street enhancement (VSS1996/033)
Overview
Background & policy context:
Traffic calming is a concept that has evolved considerably over the past decade. It reflects not only the need to reduce the perverse effects of the explosion of the engine, but also the desire for a better compatibility between safety and flow of traffic, environmental protection and maintenance of the built environment. Numerous experiments in Switzerland and abroad show that traffic calming measures, as defined in the standards VSS in force, no longer meet that part of current knowledge and requirements.
The search for appropriate solutions must now be based on a comprehensive approach that incorporates the definition of the requirements for achieving the agreed goals moderation traffic and enhancement of road space. Such an approach therefore requires the use of an expanded reference framework establishing the principles, criteria and requirements to be observed for the choice and the section measures.
Objectives:
The research project is to establish a concept of integration in the VSS standards different requirements and bases to be taken into account when studying traffic calming projects and upgrading of road space. This concept is based on a synthesis and development experience and current knowledge of constructive measures for traffic calming and recovery of road space. The research should enable revise and supplement the existing standards of VSS on traffic calming.
Methodology:
The research develops a functional approach of how to meet the requirements on the allocation of road space from the point of view of the conditions prevailing in Switzerland. This approach is largely based on the model of German recognized recommendations (EAHV, EAE, GSS). The research also defines a framework laying down the bases, principles, means and measures of road space planning not only to clarify and structure a multitude of interdependencies but also raise various ambiguities encountered in practice on typology and fields of application of the various management measures of road space. The research also confirms the relevance of the range of traffic calming means, as they were already set in 1985.
VSS standards in this context, it includes an opening of the range of traffic calming measures, as it leads to an improvement in the definition of scopes and conditions of use of traffic calming measures and improvement of road space.
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