Traffic Calming

Traffic Calming

Traffic calming refers to a set of physical design measures and community-supported strategies aimed at making streets safer and more inviting for everyone. These techniques help reduce vehicle speeds, lessen collisions, and enhance safety and comfort for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Common methods include things like speed humps, curb extensions, raised crosswalks, and narrower lanes—all intended to encourage slower, more mindful driving.

Why This Matters to Montclair:

This definition aligns directly with Montclair’s own Complete Streets and Vision Zero policies, which prioritize safety, reduce speeding, and promote safer, more inclusive roadways. These calming measures support Montclair’s goals of lowering crash frequency and severity, improving the street environment, and encouraging active transportation like walking and biking.

For more information, please see FHWA’s Traffic Calming ePrimer .