Modifying traffic calming elements for the cultural and spatial constraints of the Turkish urban streets: Izmir-Güzelyalı case study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify preferred traffic calming elements, and to examine whether suitable traffic calming methods and elements for the cultural and spatial constraints of Turkish urban streets can be modified in order to discourage cut-through traffic and high volumes. In Turkish urban streets, there is not widely applied traffic calming projects by local authorities. On the other hand, traffic calming elements can be used effectively in Turkish urban streets in order to solve traffic-related community problems. Since, the most important objectives of traffic calming are to provide equity in residential streets, and to make them more liveable places. The case study focused on the application of the traffic calming elements in two residential streets which are used for cut-through traffic. By comparing the aplied traffic calming projects, by identifying advantages and disadvantages of traffic calming elements and problems of the case study streets in terms of cultural and spatial constraints, a look-up table was constituted. According to this table, the most suitable traffic calming elements were suggested in order to discourage cut-through traffic and to decrease traffic volume on the streets. At the end of the study, survey showed that traffic calming is very foreign concept for the residents in the study site. However, it was concluded that for a street based traffic calming project a look-up table can be very useful in order to find the best solution for that street.