Comprehensive Traffic Calming as a Key Element of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans—Impacts of a Neighbourhood Redesign in Ljutomer

Mojca Balant and Marjan Lep
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Mojca Balant: Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Marjan Lep: The Faculty of Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering and Architecture, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 19, 1-20

Abstract: Negative impacts of motor vehicle traffic in cities are still increasing despite the objectives that sustainable mobility paradigm put forward almost three decades ago. Measures to reduce them still primarily focus on traffic safety improvements through vehicle speeds and flows reduction (traffic calming). Comprehensive traffic calming, a measure of sustainable urban mobility planning, targets the issue more comprehensively by also addressing changes in travel behaviour and quality of life. Literature covering the effects of measures addressing all listed aspects is scarce. In this paper, we present results of a longitudinal study of a comprehensive traffic calming redesign of a residential neighbourhood in Ljutomer in Slovenia. The following set of indicators was monitored: travel habits of neighbourhood residents, quality of living environment, acceptability of redesign, vehicle flows, speeds and classes, and traffic accidents. Motorized traffic counts, pilot interviews, postal and in-person surveys and public databases on traffic accidents were used to gather data before and after the redesign. All monitored indicators showed positive results. Around a third of residents claim to walk, cycle and socialize more than before the redesign while around two thirds state that the quality of life in the neighbourhood has improved. Vehicle speeds, flows and peak hour flows have notably decreased, and road safety has improved. The results show that the comprehensive traffic calming approach has a broad range of positive effects and contributes to achieving sustainable mobility. Its potential for a wider use in sustainable urban mobility planning practice is substantial.

Keywords: comprehensive traffic calming; active mobility; travel behaviour; quality of life; traffic safety; sustainable urban mobility planning; sustainable urban mobility plan; SUMP (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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