01088508

Component

The study quantifies the energy and environmental impact of alternative traffic calming measures using second-by-second floating-car Global Positioning System (GPS) data in conjunction with microscopic vehicle fuel consumption and emission models. Traffic calming has been successfully implemented in cities across North America and Europe for decades in response to safety-related neighborhood traffic concerns. While various traffic calming measures are widely used, relatively few studies have quantified the energy and environmental impact of traffic calming measures. The study demonstrates that, for the specific example illustration, traffic calming measures do not necessarily reduce vehicle fuel consumption and emissions. Instead, traffic calming generates significant increases in vehicle fuel consumption and emission rates. Specifically, increases up to 51, 43, 110, and 52% in HC, CO, NOx, and CO2, emissions are observed, respectively when motorists travel over speed humps. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that traffic calming is responsible for an extra 53% in fuel consumption. The study demonstrates that a traffic circle is the most effective traffic calming approach when compared to speed humps and/or stop signs in terms of energy and air quality savings. The study concludes that eliminating sharp acceleration could result in significant improvements in emissions and fuel consumption and, in addition, that significant improvements in air quality and energy consumption can be achievable by educating drivers.

01084478

08-1044

English

16p

2008

Transportation Research Board 87th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures; Maps; References (13)

Air quality; Air quality management; Environmental impacts; Exhaust gases; Fuel consumption; Pollutants; Speed control humps; Traffic calming; Traffic circles

Energy; Environment; Highways; I15: Environment

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2008 Paper #08-1044

TRIS, TRB

Jan 29 2008 3:23PM