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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTraffic CalmingTraffic Calming Devices in Your Neighborhood The County of Hawai'i uses traffic calming devices in residential areas to encourage motorists to drive the speed limit speed, making our local streets and neighborhoods safer and more livable. Traffic calming reduces accidents, collisions, fatalities, and pollution in our communities by compelling drivers to slow down, enabling them to react to unexpected situations such as a child darting across the street. Traffic calming devices used by the County of Hawai'i include: • Center Island and Chokers • Roundabouts and Traffic circles • Speed Humps and Speed Tables • Smart (or Radar) Signs • Zig Zag and Curve Line Pavement Markings How are traffic calming devices chosen? } If you th7Hawai'i could benefit from traffic ct the Traffic Division. The County oains a list of potential traffic ca Departments work together to establish priorities, based on such factors as: severity of the speeding problem • ability to coordinate with other projects proximity to elementary schools and playgrounds. When a street nears the top of the priority list, County staff works closely with neighborhood residents to determine the best way to slow traffic. The width of the street and the volume County speed of traffic will help determine what alternatives are possible. is an Equal Opport unity Provider and Employer Drive with A A O ar Center islands and chokers slow traffic by narrowing the travel lanes and creating a sense of enclosure. A center island is a raised area along the centerline of a street that narrows the travel lanes. Chokers are curb extensions that also narrow the roadway. The successive use of the center island and choker also creates a horizontal deflec- tion (pushing vehicles to the outside of the lane, then back towards the center (as illustrated), further adding to the calming effect. O M � M _-� 41j. Roundabout and Traffic Circle Roundabouts and traffic cir- cles are used to improve safety, and traffic flow, at intersections. Traffic circles are raised islands in the center of residential street intersections and reduce speed by forcing motorists to maneuver around them. All traffic travels in a counter - clockwise direction around the roundabout's center island. Thus all left -turn conflicts LJL__J 0 at intersections are eliminated. Drivers should be aware of the pedestrian crossing when ap- proaching and departing the intersection. Large vehicles are able to drive over the asphalt center island if they cannot com- pletely maneuver within the trav- el lane. Pedestrians and bicyclists can continue to use the shoulder to go around roundabouts and traffic circles. Traffic circles are installed on Haleki'i Street in Kona Scenic Subdivision. Smart Signs Smart (radar) Signs are infor- mational signs that display the speed of oncoming vehicles or a reminder for the driver to slow down. Smart Signs use highly visible LEDs to make motorists more aware of their speed and to encourage safer driving behavior. They area traffic- calming solution that has been proven to slow traf- fic down and are installed in resi- dential areas and in school zones. They provide speed data to the police department but are not to be confused with radar cameras. Smart Signs are installed Ali'i Drive and Haleki'i, Kaiminani and Hina Lani streets in Kona and Paniolo Drive in Waikoloa. Speed Humps and Speed Tables Speed humps and speed tables slow traffic by creat- ing a vertical deflection in the roadway. A speed hump is a rounded, raised area three to four inches high placed across the road in parking lots and resi- dential areas. A speed table is a wide flat - topped speed hump and slows vehicles more gradu- ally than humps. Speed tables are used in locations where low speeds are desired but provide a gentler ride and are preferred by emergency response providers. Look for speed humps on La'e La'e in Waimea, and Haleki'i and Kupuna streets and Royal Poinciana Drive in Kona, and Hilo at Kukuau, Alae, and Haili streets. Zig Zag and Curve Lines Hawai'i County uses innova- tive traffic calming devices such as zig zag pavement markings. Zig zag lines are painted on the street at busy intersections and in school zones to get motorists' attention to slow down, making our streets and highways safer for everyone. Other markings on County roads include the center- lines, crosswalks, stop and turn symbols, no passing and safety zones, and parking spaces. To report markings that are faded or need attention, call the Traffic Division, (808) 961 -8341 or visit nttp://traffic.hawaiicounty.gov. Zig zag lines mark intersec- tions in downtown Hilo and school zones at Kapiolani and Kealakehe Elementary. Sharks Teeth painted along Leilani Avenue in Puna were recently installed to focus a drivers'atten- tion to the curves on the road. O Center Island and Choker Center islands and chokers slow traffic by narrowing the travel lanes and creating a sense of enclosure. A center island is a raised area along the centerline of a street that narrows the travel lanes. Chokers are curb extensions that also narrow the roadway. The successive use of the center island and choker also creates a horizontal deflec- tion (pushing vehicles to the outside of the lane, then back towards the center (as illustrated), further adding to the calming effect. O M � M _-� 41j. Roundabout and Traffic Circle Roundabouts and traffic cir- cles are used to improve safety, and traffic flow, at intersections. Traffic circles are raised islands in the center of residential street intersections and reduce speed by forcing motorists to maneuver around them. All traffic travels in a counter - clockwise direction around the roundabout's center island. Thus all left -turn conflicts LJL__J 0 at intersections are eliminated. Drivers should be aware of the pedestrian crossing when ap- proaching and departing the intersection. Large vehicles are able to drive over the asphalt center island if they cannot com- pletely maneuver within the trav- el lane. Pedestrians and bicyclists can continue to use the shoulder to go around roundabouts and traffic circles. Traffic circles are installed on Haleki'i Street in Kona Scenic Subdivision. Smart Signs Smart (radar) Signs are infor- mational signs that display the speed of oncoming vehicles or a reminder for the driver to slow down. Smart Signs use highly visible LEDs to make motorists more aware of their speed and to encourage safer driving behavior. They area traffic- calming solution that has been proven to slow traf- fic down and are installed in resi- dential areas and in school zones. They provide speed data to the police department but are not to be confused with radar cameras. Smart Signs are installed Ali'i Drive and Haleki'i, Kaiminani and Hina Lani streets in Kona and Paniolo Drive in Waikoloa. Speed Humps and Speed Tables Speed humps and speed tables slow traffic by creat- ing a vertical deflection in the roadway. A speed hump is a rounded, raised area three to four inches high placed across the road in parking lots and resi- dential areas. A speed table is a wide flat - topped speed hump and slows vehicles more gradu- ally than humps. Speed tables are used in locations where low speeds are desired but provide a gentler ride and are preferred by emergency response providers. Look for speed humps on La'e La'e in Waimea, and Haleki'i and Kupuna streets and Royal Poinciana Drive in Kona, and Hilo at Kukuau, Alae, and Haili streets. Zig Zag and Curve Lines Hawai'i County uses innova- tive traffic calming devices such as zig zag pavement markings. Zig zag lines are painted on the street at busy intersections and in school zones to get motorists' attention to slow down, making our streets and highways safer for everyone. Other markings on County roads include the center- lines, crosswalks, stop and turn symbols, no passing and safety zones, and parking spaces. To report markings that are faded or need attention, call the Traffic Division, (808) 961 -8341 or visit nttp://traffic.hawaiicounty.gov. Zig zag lines mark intersec- tions in downtown Hilo and school zones at Kapiolani and Kealakehe Elementary. Sharks Teeth painted along Leilani Avenue in Puna were recently installed to focus a drivers'atten- tion to the curves on the road.