A traffic calming feature consisting of artificial turns or islands placed in a straight road. Drivers must steer around these physical barriers, which forces a reduction in vehicle speed. Engineers install them in residential areas or work zones to prevent speeding without using vertical deflections like speed bumps.
The new design includes a chicane to keep delivery trucks from speeding down the residential street.
Chicanes are preferred on bus routes where traditional speed bumps would cause excessive discomfort to passengers.
Do not mix it up with
- Neckdown: A chicane shifts the travel lane horizontally, while a neckdown narrows the lane width from the sides.
Related terms
Speed bump
A raised transverse ridge on a roadway designed to force vehicles to reduce speed.
Traffic island
A raised or painted area in a roadway designed to separate traffic streams or protect pedestrians.
Neckdown
A physical narrowing of a roadway at an intersection to slow traffic and shorten pedestrian crossings.