Close road to Through Traffic
Closing the road to through traffic usually refers to building a raised curb area across the road, with an obstruction such as bollards or a flower bed.
Disadvantages
- Could cause delay to any emergency services
- May cause longer journeys for local residents
Restrictions
- Highways engineers must check if other roads in the area are suitable to carry extra traffic.
There's also some general restrictions to note for all schemes
Advantages
- Removes all vehicle through traffic
- Relatively cheap way to reduce traffic volume
- The road obstruction could contribute to the character of the area, e.g. with trees or artwork – however, this would increase costs
- Can be designed to allow access for cyclists
Effectiveness
This intervention doesn’t have any safety evidence available. Instead, likely outcomes are covered.
If the road carries a lot of vehicle through traffic, closing the road to through traffic with an obstruction will greatly reduce the number of vehicles using the road.
It is extremely likely a reduction in vehicle traffic will increase safety. The obstruction may also reduce vehicle speeds. However, there are no studies available to demonstrate these assumptions.
Also Consider:
One Way Street
A one way street only allows vehicles to move in one direction down the road. ‘No-entry’ signs are used to prevent vehicles travelling the wrong way along the road, and arrows signs are used to show the correct direction of vehicle traffic.
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Chicanes
Single lane chicanes require one direction of traffic to give way to oncoming vehicles. The chicane normally consists of a raised curb and bollard in one half of the road, with a sign to explain the traffic priority.
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Speed Table
Speed tables are a raised section of road, with a ramp on both sides. The ramps are painted with white arrows to make them more obvious to vehicle drivers.
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Speed Cameras
Speed cameras photograph vehicles which are travelling over a certain speed. This is usually around 10% over the speed limit. Speed cameras use a radar device to detect the speed of passing vehicles.
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Speed Humps
Speed humps have a short rounded top which is typically 75mm high. The ramps either side are painted with white arrows to make them more obvious to vehicle drivers.
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Vehicle-activated Signs (VAS)
VASs are an electronic sign which only become visible when approaching vehicles are exceeding a certain speed.
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Pedestrian Refuge Island
A refuge island is a raised section of pavement between two lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions. The Islands normally have yellow and white plastic bollards with a blue arrow to remind drivers to keep left.
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DIY Streets
DIY Streets is a concept developed by Sustrans which encourages communities to generate ideas for the improvement of their street. The concept aims to make the street less car dominated, and more community focussed.
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