Beyond Speed Reduction: A Systematic Literature Review of Traffic-Calming Effects on Public Health, Travel Behaviour, and Urban Liveability
Traffic calming has emerged as a key urban strategy to reduce vehicle speeds and mitigate road traffic risks, with increasing recognition of its broader implications for public health, human behaviour, and urban liveability. This systematic literature review examines the multifaceted impacts of traf...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Infrastructures |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2412-3811/10/6/147 |
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| author | Fotios Magkafas Grigorios Fountas Panagiotis Ch. Anastasopoulos Socrates Basbas |
| author_facet | Fotios Magkafas Grigorios Fountas Panagiotis Ch. Anastasopoulos Socrates Basbas |
| author_sort | Fotios Magkafas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Traffic calming has emerged as a key urban strategy to reduce vehicle speeds and mitigate road traffic risks, with increasing recognition of its broader implications for public health, human behaviour, and urban liveability. This systematic literature review examines the multifaceted impacts of traffic-calming measures—from speed limit reductions to physical infrastructure and enforcement-based interventions—by synthesising findings from 28 peer-reviewed studies. Guided by the PRISMA framework, the review compiles research exploring links between traffic calming and outcomes related to public health, behaviour, and urban quality of life. Research consistently indicates that such interventions reduce both the frequency and severity of collisions, improve air and noise quality, and promote active mobility. These effects are shaped by user perceptions: non-motorised users tend to report higher levels of safety and accessibility, whereas motorised users often express frustration or resistance. Beyond safety and environmental improvements, traffic calming has been associated with greater use of public space, stronger social connections, and enhanced environmental aesthetics. The findings also show that key challenges may affect the effectiveness of traffic calming and these include negative attitudes among drivers, mixed outcomes for air quality, and unintended consequences such as traffic displacement or increased noise when interventions are poorly implemented. Overall, the findings suggest that traffic calming can serve as both a public health initiative and a tool for enhancing urban liveability, provided that the measures are designed with contextual sensitivity and supported by inclusive communication strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2ec48524c18d40f287567e6b263a3ac5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2412-3811 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Infrastructures |
| spelling | doaj-art-2ec48524c18d40f287567e6b263a3ac52025-08-20T03:27:29ZengMDPI AGInfrastructures2412-38112025-06-0110614710.3390/infrastructures10060147Beyond Speed Reduction: A Systematic Literature Review of Traffic-Calming Effects on Public Health, Travel Behaviour, and Urban LiveabilityFotios Magkafas0Grigorios Fountas1Panagiotis Ch. Anastasopoulos2Socrates Basbas3Department of Transportation and Hydraulic Engineering, School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Transportation and Hydraulic Engineering, School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USADepartment of Transportation and Hydraulic Engineering, School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceTraffic calming has emerged as a key urban strategy to reduce vehicle speeds and mitigate road traffic risks, with increasing recognition of its broader implications for public health, human behaviour, and urban liveability. This systematic literature review examines the multifaceted impacts of traffic-calming measures—from speed limit reductions to physical infrastructure and enforcement-based interventions—by synthesising findings from 28 peer-reviewed studies. Guided by the PRISMA framework, the review compiles research exploring links between traffic calming and outcomes related to public health, behaviour, and urban quality of life. Research consistently indicates that such interventions reduce both the frequency and severity of collisions, improve air and noise quality, and promote active mobility. These effects are shaped by user perceptions: non-motorised users tend to report higher levels of safety and accessibility, whereas motorised users often express frustration or resistance. Beyond safety and environmental improvements, traffic calming has been associated with greater use of public space, stronger social connections, and enhanced environmental aesthetics. The findings also show that key challenges may affect the effectiveness of traffic calming and these include negative attitudes among drivers, mixed outcomes for air quality, and unintended consequences such as traffic displacement or increased noise when interventions are poorly implemented. Overall, the findings suggest that traffic calming can serve as both a public health initiative and a tool for enhancing urban liveability, provided that the measures are designed with contextual sensitivity and supported by inclusive communication strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2412-3811/10/6/147traffic calmingpublic healthtravel behaviourliveabilityquality of lifespeed limits |
| spellingShingle | Fotios Magkafas Grigorios Fountas Panagiotis Ch. Anastasopoulos Socrates Basbas Beyond Speed Reduction: A Systematic Literature Review of Traffic-Calming Effects on Public Health, Travel Behaviour, and Urban Liveability Infrastructures traffic calming public health travel behaviour liveability quality of life speed limits |
| title | Beyond Speed Reduction: A Systematic Literature Review of Traffic-Calming Effects on Public Health, Travel Behaviour, and Urban Liveability |
| title_full | Beyond Speed Reduction: A Systematic Literature Review of Traffic-Calming Effects on Public Health, Travel Behaviour, and Urban Liveability |
| title_fullStr | Beyond Speed Reduction: A Systematic Literature Review of Traffic-Calming Effects on Public Health, Travel Behaviour, and Urban Liveability |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond Speed Reduction: A Systematic Literature Review of Traffic-Calming Effects on Public Health, Travel Behaviour, and Urban Liveability |
| title_short | Beyond Speed Reduction: A Systematic Literature Review of Traffic-Calming Effects on Public Health, Travel Behaviour, and Urban Liveability |
| title_sort | beyond speed reduction a systematic literature review of traffic calming effects on public health travel behaviour and urban liveability |
| topic | traffic calming public health travel behaviour liveability quality of life speed limits |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2412-3811/10/6/147 |
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