Systems for traffic management are created to resolve vehicular flow issues on a specified number of roads. There are many instances which make traffic management a necessity. One of these instances could be when a particular road has been the site of many accidents, prompting motorists and residents to demand an investigation, to stop these accidents from occurring. Sometimes the Council adopts an “area wide” approach to traffic problems, for example, where there is a need for several residential roads to have “Speed Control Humps” installed. Of course, procedures such as studying the impact on the rest of the roads must first be made. The main purposes for instituting these are the following:
*To achieve safe movement by reducing accident levels.
*To create favorable situations for developing the public transport system.
*To minimize the number of vehicles on the road and reduce carbon emissions.
*To empower other disadvantaged sectors of society in using the roads.
*To limit the cases of roadside parking.
*To improve pedestrian safety, accessibility and convenience.
*To promote cycling.
Any changes to be implemented by new traffic policies need to be publicized first, allowing for public comment. They will be given 21 days to raise opposition or comments on the said methods. Whatever comments from the community are submitted will be studied and considered before the laws backing such methods are enacted. Then a legally enforceable Traffic Order can be made and the scheme introduced.The Council, as Highway Authority, is responsible for introducing and maintaining the physical measures and for making any necessary Traffic Orders but with the exception of parking schemes, enforcement of Traffic Orders is the responsibility of Police.
Traffic Management Systems Models
There is no single solution to problems associated with traffic management. A variety of measures are used sometimes in combination.
Speed Cushions
These may be a piece of equipment which allows a vehicle to pass through but at a slower speed. The most common of these are road humps. However, because of the limitations on the road hump’s height, these are most effective only with cars - not larger vehicles like trucks. These are intended to overcome the objections of the Emergency Services and Bus Companies. Cars are usually more prone to violate the speed limits. While motorists can ignore speed warnings, the road humps ahead will slow them down.
Throttles and Moveable Barriers
Chicanes and throttles are intended to reduce traffic speed by reducing the available roadway width throughout a short length.
*Chicanes introduce a physical deflection into the vehicles’ horizontal path, thereby further reducing the vehicle speed.
*Throttles narrow the road, frequently to provide a safe crossing point for pedestrians, sometimes in conjunction with a speed table.
Curbs
At some road junctions visibility is often reduced because of the shape of the road or because of parked cars. Curbs help to address this issue.Consequently, these help prevent smashes at the intersection. These do the same for pedestrians.Motorists are also discouraged from parking their cars close to the crossing.
Width Restrictions
Width controls prevents bigger vehicles from passing through a specific part of the road. Posts or bollards are placed on the road about 2.1 meters (7 feet) apart, so that vehicles wider than this cannot pass between them. There must be an alternative route available for large vehicles, such as refuse collection vehicles.This sometimes limits their services to residential areas.