Unfortunately, this approach has done considerable damage to cities, suburbs, towns and neighborhoods. The objective of traffic calming is to reduce traffic volume and speed, improve safety and convenience for pedestrians and bicyclists, provide safe space for children's play, eliminate noise and pollution, improve scenery, revitalize and stabilize neighborhoods, and reduce crime. The Speakers at Thursday's ceremony were to include Mayor Cianci, Councilwoman Nolan and CLF's Heart. Others, as well as traffic circles and neckdowns, will be in place soon. Moreover, the Elmwood project is notable for its inner-city location.
Traffic calming is still more commonly seen in the suburbs.
This poses a major safety risk. Pedestrians account for a disproportionately high percentage of car crash fatalities in cities. In Boston, New York, and San Francisco, for example, half the people killed in car crashes are pedestrians. In some city neighborhoods, streets and sidewalks are the only outdoor play areas for children. That alone would make it stand out.