Traffic Calming Measures in Lichfield

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Introduction.

On 29th September 2006, our geography group was given the task of analyzing the different kinds of traffic calming measures around Lichfield. We split into even groups and analyzed each measure by speed gun and timed results, and recorded our findings.

In this piece of fieldwork, we analyzed two types of traffic calming measures. Firstly, we had the task of analyzing the speed cushions on Weston Road. This traffic calming measure was situated in a built up housing estate on the outskirts of Lichfield city centre. We measured twenty-five vehicles in the processes mentioned above.

Finally, we analyzed the sleeping policemen on Cherry Orchard. This is also a busy housing estate, but was possibly the calmer of the two areas that we covered. However, there was a school situated close-by so in terms of safety, this was probably the most important site that we covered.

Aims and Hypothesis.

In this project, I hope to answer two aims, these are:

  • Sleeping policemen are the most effective traffic calming measure.
  • Sleeping policemen are more effective on larger vehicles.

Also in this project, I expect to find that the sleeping policemen are most effective at reducing the speed of vehicles over the road cushions.  I believe this as the sleeping policemen are stretched across the whole of the road and cannot be avoided by oncoming vehicles.  Also, I believe that the sleeping policemen are more effective at reducing the speeds of larger vehicles than smaller ones due to the fact that the larger cars are more powerful in terms of engine size and will be travelling at higher speeds meaning that their breaking and slow down period over the traffic calming measure will be more responsive than the smaller vehicles.

Data Collection.

When collecting the data I used a speed gun to measure the exact speed of vehicles over the traffic calming measure. This enabled us to gather an exact speed of the vehicle approaching the traffic calming measure from a distance of 25m, then a reading of the vehicle over the traffic calming measure and then again as the vehicle drove away from the traffic calming measure at 25m.  Also, another two people were standing by the TCM to take the speeds, type of vehicle, number of passengers and gender of the driver.

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Results – Weston Road, Lichfield.

Average Speed .

Overall Average        Average Speeds

               Speed        of Vehicles

Acceleration and Deceleration.

Overall Average         Average Deceleration           167

     Deceleration

Overall Average         Average Acceleration           165

     Acceleration

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