Traffic calming
What you need to know about
Traffic Calming Circles
What Are Traffic Calming Circles?
Traffic Calming Circles are small landscaped circular islands construced within intersections to provide geometric control to slow traffic on local streets where they intersect other local streets, and in some cases, where they intersect collector streets.
Traffic Calming Circles provide control to traffic because they physically require vehicles to slow down in order to maneuver around them. Landscaped Traffic Calming Circles are also an aesthetic enhancement to the neighborhood and serve to remind drivers they are in a .............
Why Not Use More Stop Signs?
Many residents ask why more STOP signs can't be used to address speeding vehicles. The reason is that STOP signs are used to assign right-of-way (i.e. to let drivers know who goes first at an intersection.) STOP signs are not the appropriate device for controlling vehicle speeds.
Engineering studies have shown the placement of STOP signs used for speed control alone, can actually increase vehicle speeds between STOP signs; furthermore, unlike geometric devices such as Traffic Calming Circles, STOP signs are a passive device that drivers may choose to ignore. This can result in a serious accident if another driver or pedestrian is given a false sense of security and crosses in front of a driver that ignores the STOP sign.
Where Can Traffic Calming Circles Be Constructed?
Traffic Calming Circles can be constructed on local streets where they intersect other local streets and where they intersect collector streets.
Traffic Calming Circles are most effective and least expensive when constructed at a four-way intersection. They can also be installed at "T" intersections, however, additional road-narrowing or road-widening may be neccessary.
Where Can I See A Traffic Calming Circle?
Traffic Calming Circles are currently constructed at the intersections of 8th Street & Michigan Street and at 18th Street & Sweetwater Court/Research Park Drive.
Citizen Concern
The City takes its role in solving traffic problems very seriously, yet the ultimate burden of safety rests with pedestrians, bicycleists and motorists in Lawrence. Due to the number of citizen requests per year, we cannot always investigate your request as quickly as we would like to. However, we will respond after carefully evaluating your request. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, REQUESTS OR SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING TRAFFIC, PLEASE CALL THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISION AT 832-3034.
