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Traffic Calming Program

Traffic Calming

The goal of traffic calming projects is to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods and allow cars to peacefully coexist with other modes of transportation. Traffic calming involves the creation of physical and visual cues, such as speed tables, sidewalk neck downs, and roadway markings which slow the speed of traffic and increase safety. The City generally considers implementing these streetscape changes at the request of community members, with construction often taking place in the course of other projects, such as street repaving and sewer reconstruction. See below for the Traffic Calming Request form.

Traffic calming is a way to design streets, using physical measures, to encourage people to drive more slowly, in order to provide a more livable environment and allow people to walk and bicycle more comfortably and safely. Traffic calming creates physical and visual cues that induce drivers to travel at slower speeds and is self-enforcing. The design of the roadway results in the desired effect, without relying on compliance with traffic control devices such as signals and signs, or on enforcement. While elements such as landscaping and lighting do not force a change in driver behavior, they can provide the visual cues that encourage people to drive more slowly.

The reason traffic calming is such a powerful and compelling tool is that it has proven to be so effective. Some of the effects of traffic calming, such as fewer and less severe crashes, are clearly measurable. Others, such as supporting community livability, are less tangible, but equally important.

Experience throughout North America, Europe and Australia, and has shown that traffic calming, if done correctly, reduces traffic speeds, the number and severity of crashes, and noise levels. Research on traffic-calming projects in the United States supports their effectiveness at decreasing automobile speeds, reducing the number and severity of crashes, and reducing noise levels for specific contexts. Looking at a sample of various speed studies shows that typical speed reductions of 5 to 20 percent at the 85th percentile speed can be realized by the use of traffic-calming measures—including mini-circles, chicanes, speed tables and other standard traffic-calming devices. Use of several of the traffic-calming measures have also resulted in substantial reductions in motor vehicle crashes.

Examples of Traffic Calming Techniques

Two common elements of traffic calming projects in Cambridge are raised devices (raised crosswalks and raised intersections) and curb extensions.

• Example of Raised Devices, Construction Guidelines
• Example of a Curb Extension

Traffic Calming Projects (Click links for more details)

Additional information under DPW City Construction Project Page

Under Design

• Green Street - Pearl Street to Landsdowne Street

• Maple Avenue - Broadway to Cambridge Street

• Centre Street - Dana Street to Hancock Street

• Dana Street - Cambridge Street to Massachusetts Avenue

• Montgomery Street - Harvard Street to Rindge Avenue

• Sciarappa Street - Charles Street to Monsignor O’Brian Highway

Under Contract/Construction

• Park Avenue - Huron Avenue to Holworthy Street
• Walden Street - Sherman Street to Garden Street
• Webster Avenue - Lincoln Ln to Hampshire Street
• Chestnut Street - Sydney Street to Pleasant Street
• Dodge Street - Western Avenue to Callender Street
• Elm Street - Hampshire Street to Webster Avenue

Completed Projects

• Franklin Street - Pleasant Street to Lansdowne Street
• St. Mary Road - Inman Street to Prospect Street
• Riedesel Avenue - Brattle Street to Brewster Street
• Highland Street - Reservoir Street to Sparks Street
• Brewster Street - Appleton Street to Sparks Street

Older Projects Completed

• Sixth Street - Cambridge Street to Charles Street
• Huron Avenue - Concord Avenue to Raymond Street
• Thorndike Street - Third Street to Fulkerson Street
• Parker Street - Concord Avenue to Buckingham Street
• Healy Street - Buckingham Street to Parker Street

• Dudley Street - Massachusetts Avenue to Clifton Street

• Pearl Street - Massachusetts Avenue to Granite Street

• Amory Street - Broadway to Hampshire Street

• Fulkerson Street - Cambridge Street to Charles Street
• Harvey Street - Accessible ramps
• Kinnaird Street Phase I - Jay Street to Putnam Avenue
• Longfellow Road
• Mead Street - Walden Street to Cogswell Avenue
• Second Street - Cambridge Street to Charles Street
• Sherman Street - Huron Avenue to Walden Street
• Brattle Street
• Irving Street and Scott Street
• Linnaean Street
• Locke Street Area
• Lowell Street
• Mt. Auburn Street - Gibson Street to Fresh Pond Parkway
• Pemberton Street
• Pleasant Street at Fairmont Street
• Roberts Road
• Spring Street
• Tremont Street at Gardner Road
• Upland Road
• Waterhouse Street
• Whittemore Avenue Area

Traffic Calming Resources

• Traffic Calming Brochure
• Traffic Calming Request Form
• Useful Links and a Bibliography
• Construction Updates through DPW

For More Information

For more information about Traffic Calming contact Juan Avendano, javendano@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4655.