Canadaโs housing agency has concluded that speed bumps not only fuel anger among drivers โ who have to slow down to approach a bump, then speed up, then slow down for the next one โ but also increase fuel consumption and cause more greenhouse-gas emissions than if they were traveling at a constantย speed.
A study by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. has found that traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps, speed humps (wider bumps), raised intersections, traffic circles and stop signs actually โincrease automobile emissions and reduce air qualityโ โ the exact opposite of what is needed in the battle against globalย warming.
These band-aid solutions to bad planning also come with a high price tag. Speed humps โ which cost $3,000 a pop โ are โvery difficult to installโ and if they don’t get the height exactly right the cars bottom out, diverting tax dollars needed to fund sustainableย transportation.
CMHC is touting a fused-grid pattern combining the compact street patterns introduced before cities were overwhelmed by cars, with the looping suburban streets of today, which discourage walking and cycling because it takes so long to getย anywhere.
The CMHC version would combine the traditional grid pattern with cul-de-sacs and T-intersections, connected with footpaths and parks to encourage pedestrians. There would be less road surface, improving rainwater management and making neighborhoods quieter, safer and moreย sociable.
Letโs hope they can sell their ideas to engineers andย developers.
