Question 1

Traffic calming is a set of strategies used by traffic engineers which aim to slow down or
reduce traffic, thereby improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists as well as
improving the environment for residents. Discuss the types of traffic calming strategies
used by traffic engineers to reduce the traffic and improving the safety.

Traffic calming can also be known as the design and other measure to improve the safety for
the pedestrians and cyclists and also to reduce the traffic flow and find a balance if traffic on
streets. The types of traffic calming measures

(a) Diagonal Parking

Diagonal parking is where the car can park in a more effective in terms of parking time. It is
simple and inexpensive as it just changes the outline of the parking slot from parallel or
horizontal parking to a diagonal parking box. It also reduces the peering distance for people
who want to cross the road. The driver who are pulling out has a better view for approaching
vehicles and the pulling out time is faster than the horizontal parking and the space taken for
pulling out is a less. It also can add up to 40% more parking space than parallel parking.
Shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 : Diagonal parking

(b) Changing one-way street to two way street

Changing one-way street to two-way street, which give a better access and less confusion for
the drivers and pedestrians. Does not need any hoarding or barrier to close the way. The two
road is more access able than as if one way road it needs to take an extra turn to nearby turn.
It also increase the commercial traffic and business as shown in Figure 2.
 Figure 2 : changing one-way streets to two-way

(c) Widening sidewalks

Widening sidewalks or narrowing streets and traffic lanes which provides a flexible way to
take back space from the street for non –motor vehicle uses. Usual road width for lines is
approximately 3.0m. When narrowing the lanes and to widen the sidewalks eases crossing for
pedestrians and gives them more space to walk and the narrowed lanes can also serve for
busses, trolleys, bicycle, and etc. When the road width is narrowed the driver will usually be
more careful and slow down the vehicles as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 : widening sidewalks/narrowing streets and traffic lanes

(d) Adding bulbs, chokers and neckdowns

Adding Bulbs, chokers, and neckdowns is interchangeable terms for sidewalk extension in a
selected areas. It provides a haven and a shorter distance for pedestrian to cross the street. It
will gives a definite parking bays and sometimes give a deceleration lane for vehicle what
want to stop. The space can also enhance the lighting on the street and gives a better location
for sign board for driver to notice as shown in Figure 4.
 Figure 4 : bulbs – chokers – neckdowns

(e) Chicanes

Chicanes it’s a sidewalk extensionas that jog from one side of a street to the other to replicate
a circutious. This narrow, curve roads encourage motorists to drive more slowly and carefuly
as it interrupts any clearview ahead and compels drivers to slowdown. Chicanes are best used
on narrow roads, to prevents cars from swinging out to mainain their speed around the bends,
as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 : Chicanes

(f) Roundabouts

Roundabouts is a large circular island at the middle of the intersections, which all the
oncoming vehicles must travel until reaching their destination street, where they then turn
off. It can only be used when the traffic flow it not too high where traffic light is required.
Roundabout create a calm and steady flow of traffic, and also reduce the conflict point
 where it can reduce accidents. It can also be enhance with fountain, sculpture, which can
serve as a landmark or striking gateway as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6 : Roundabouts

(g) Traffic Circles

Traffic circles also known as mini-roundabouts which design for small intersection, often
used to slow traffic from a wide street into a smaller local street. It helps to slow down traffic
in neighbourhoods and remind drivers that they must proceed carefully and sustain low
vehicle speeds as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7 : Traffic Circles

Raised medians is the elevated island parallel to traffic lanes down the middle of the street
separating the two opposite direction street. It provides a safe in-between refuge for
pedestrians as they make their way across the street, split up a lengthy curb-to-curb distance.
Shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8 : Raised Medians

Road humps, and speed tables are devices that meant to reduce the speed by introducing
modest changes in the level of street, and require the drivers to decelerate. Road humps or
can also know as speed humps they are rounded mounds, approximately 7cm high and road
width long. They effectively slow down vehicle to around 25km/h without making drivers
uncomfortable. It is for optimum speed reduction, where it is usually placed near housing
areas, crossing, and places with lots of pedestrian. Shown in Figure 15.

Speed tables are road humps that are flat on top and sometimes slightly longer. They are the
same width as the street and rise to meet the grade of the side walk, proving safe and
comfortable crossing for pedestrian. The benefit of speed tables is that people cross at a point
where drivers decrease speed, as shown in Figure 16.

Figure 15 : Road Humps

Figure 16 : Speed tables
Question 2

List out 3 public authorities with responsible for the management of road in Malaysia and
describe the function.

(a) ROAD TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT OF MALAYSIA (JABATAN

PENGANGKUTAN JALAN-JPJ)
• To establish and regulate the registration and licensing of motor vehicles in a systematic,
reliable and innovative manner.
• Establish and administer the road transport law with the commitment to produce competent,
law abiding and prudent drivers of motor vehicles.
• To enforce and administer the road transport law with integrity and commitment to create a
society that has a culture of adherence to the rules of the road.
• To monitor and administer motor vehicle safety standards with efficiency and integrity to
meet the needs of the environment and the country's automotive industry.

(b) LAND PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMISSION (SURUHANJAYA

PENGANGKUTAN AWAM DARAT-SPAD)
• Carries out an enforcement role for the public transportation system in Malaysia includes rail,
bus, and taxi services, as well as the road and rail-based freight transport.
• Plans, regulates, and enforces all matters relating to land public transport and has jurisdiction
over Peninsular Malaysia.
• Establishing a Master Plan to ensure a comprehensive, integrated and sustainable
infrastructure development.
• Monitoring and regulating standard of performance of the industry’s operators through
licensing.
• Encompassing powers to audit, investigate, compound/suspend/revoke operators' licenses.
• To seize and auction vehicles for offenses relating to the illegal use of vehicles.

(c)MALAYSIAN HIGHWAY AUTHORITY (LEMBAGA LEBUHRAYA MALAYSIA-LLM)

• Supervise and execute the design, construction, regulation, operation and maintenance of
inter-urban highways
• Impose and collect tolls
• Plan, design, develop, manage and administer a network of modern highways equipped with
sufficient facilities for the purpose of providing a fast, safe and efficient transportation
system.