Traffic Calming

The Process


Traffic calming is the practice of combining physical measures to reduce the negative impacts of motor vehicle use by altering driver behavior and to improve the environment for non-motorized street users.

Listed on this page is information on the most commonly installed traffic calming devices. View information on the City of Greenville's Neighborhood Traffic Calming Process (PDF).

Request Information


To request information about traffic calming in your neighborhood, send your name, address, and the nature of your request by email or call our office at 864-467-4360.

Traffic Calming Vote Results


Vote tallies for neighborhood traffic calming ballots are posted for 2 weeks on this page.

Landscape Medians


A landscape median is a raised landscaped island located along the center-line of a street that narrows the adjacent travel lanes.

Placed at the entrance of a neighborhood, the median can serve as both a gateway into the neighborhood and a way to slow down traffic.
A traffic island with greenery and a median traffic sign

Traffic Circles


Traffic circles are raised islands, placed in intersections, around which traffic circulates. Circles are used for calming intersections where large vehicle traffic is not a major concern but speed, volume, and safety are problems.
A traffic circle with a garden in the middle

Speed Humps


Speed humps are rounded raised areas of asphalt placed across the roadway. A speed hump provides the most aggressive form of traffic calming and is beneficial in locations where low speeds are desired.
A traffic hump in the road with white arrows to indicate direction

Roundabouts


Roundabouts are one of the most effective intersection control treatments available with the added benefit of calming traffic. Take a look at the Roundabouts page for more information.
Aerial view of a roundabout with 3 merging areas of traffic and all of the signals painted on the ro

Traffic Calming Device Categories

Neighborhood Vote
 Engineering Approval
 Council Approval
 Requires Public
Hearing
Speed Humps
(parabolic / full or split)
 Circles with or
without outer rings
 Diverters
(Semi-diagonal-forced)
 Street Closures
(Permanent / Occasional)
Curb Extensions
 Alternate Parking
 Textured Pavements
Lateral Shifts
 General Use Signs
 Chicanes ("S" Shapes)
Speed Cushions
 "Psycho Perspective"
Controls / Tricks
 Lane Reductions
Narrowing / Neckdowns


Adjacent Landscaping / Streetscapes


Temporary measure


Traffic Islands