traffic calming: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-to-mid frequencyTechnical (urban planning, civil engineering, transport policy), official/formal (local government, journalism)
Quick answer
What does “traffic calming” mean?
A set of physical design features or measures installed on roads to slow down or discourage vehicle traffic, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A set of physical design features or measures installed on roads to slow down or discourage vehicle traffic, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
The philosophy and practice of designing road environments to encourage safer driving behaviour, reduce vehicle speeds, and prioritize non-motorized users. It can also refer metaphorically to any measure that intentionally slows down or regulates the pace of an activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in UK English and is more commonly used in the UK and Commonwealth. In the US, the synonymous phrase 'traffic calming measures' or the broader term 'road diet' is often used.
Connotations
In both, it carries connotations of civic planning and public safety. In some US contexts, it might be perceived as a European import or as potentially obstructive to car flow.
Frequency
Much more frequent in UK English and official planning documents. In US casual speech, 'speed bumps' or 'road narrowing' might be used more often than the umbrella term.
Grammar
How to Use “traffic calming” in a Sentence
[Local authority/Government] is implementing/considering traffic calming in/on [area/street].The new traffic calming has successfully [reduced speeds/increased safety].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “traffic calming” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council plans to traffic-calm the High Street next year. (Note: hyphenated verb form is rare but occasionally seen in informal planning contexts.)
American English
- The city is looking to implement traffic calming measures along the residential corridor. (Verb form is virtually never used; periphrastic constructions are standard.)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable - no standard adverbial form)
American English
- (Not applicable - no standard adverbial form)
adjective
British English
- The new traffic-calming chicanes have been installed.
American English
- The traffic-calming project required community input.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, unless in construction/engineering firms bidding for municipal contracts.
Academic
Common in urban planning, transportation engineering, and public policy journals and papers.
Everyday
Used by residents discussing local road changes, or in local news reports about neighbourhood safety.
Technical
The standard term in civil engineering, transport planning, and highway design guidelines and specifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “traffic calming”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “traffic calming”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “traffic calming”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They traffic calmed the street' is non-standard; use 'They installed traffic calming on the street').
- Confusing it with general 'traffic management' which includes signals, signage, and lane control.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A speed bump is a single type of traffic calming measure. 'Traffic calming' is the overall concept or set of measures, which includes bumps, chicanes, narrowing, roundabouts, and raised crossings.
Usually local government or municipal transport departments, often after consulting with residents, conducting traffic studies, and considering local planning policies.
This is debated. It can cause slower, stop-start driving which may increase emissions locally, but by making walking and cycling safer, it may reduce overall car trips and their associated pollution.
It is less common on major arterial routes designed for higher traffic volumes, but elements like raised pedestrian crossings, roundabouts, and lane narrowing can be used to manage speeds at key points.
A set of physical design features or measures installed on roads to slow down or discourage vehicle traffic, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Traffic calming is usually technical (urban planning, civil engineering, transport policy), official/formal (local government, journalism) in register.
Traffic calming: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtræfɪk ˌkɑːmɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtræfɪk ˌkɑːmɪŋ/ (or /ˈtræfɪk ˌkɑːlmɪŋ/). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To put the brakes on [something] (metaphorical extension)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an angry, fast river (traffic). 'Calming' is like placing rocks and bends in the river to slow the water and make it gentle. 'Traffic calming' places obstacles and bends in roads to slow cars.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRAFFIC IS A FORCE OF NATURE (a river, a storm) / CALMING IS PHYSICAL MODERATION.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a typical goal of traffic calming?