HOW GREEN ARE THE TRAFFIC CALMING METHODS?

In several social areas the interaction between the motorized and non-motorized traffic raises particular matters. The traffic calming methods are useful in alleviating the adverse effects of this interaction. Some of the warning methods leave 16 the conscience of the drivers whether they observe or not the restrictions. Therefore, physical methods are more effective in enforcing vehicle speed reduction. But the reverse is denoted by increasing exhaust emissions. The paper presents a method to assess the vehicles emissions based on computer traffic simulation and emission factors. The case-study proves the excess in vehicle emissions (CO2, CO, NOx, VOC) due to the presence of road humps. Traffic engineers, urban planners and local authorities should balance the positive aspects (traffic diverting, safety increasing) with the negative ones (exhaust emissions, noise) in applying the traffic calming elements.