Traffic Calming & Its Applicability in Sri Lanka

This paper examines the concept of traffic calming, tools and methods available for traffic calming process, its effectiveness in countries which traffic calming strategies are adopted, and looks at it’s applicability in Sri Lanka especially in Colombo and its suburbs. Study observes the origin of traffic calming, how different traffic calming policies are practiced in some countries, tools and devices used for traffic calming, how it could be modified to suit different situations, and its adoptability in busy local towns mainly in Colombo. This paper is supported by a comprehensive literature survey which examine and summarise previous studies conducted on different aspects of effectiveness of speed controlling tools used in traffic calming operations and the impacts (both positive and negative) on all road users and nearby residents. Although traffic calming may be a novel experience to Sri Lankan road engineers, it has been practiced in some countries quite extensively over a considerable period of time. The expected outcome of this paper to make an awareness of traffic calming concept and process among traffic and highway engineers in the country and encourage them to practice traffic calming policies wherever applicable meaningfully in Colombo and its busy suburbs in Sri Lanka.