Chokers are:
- Horizontal speed control measures.
- Used to narrow the street. They can be used at mid-block or at intersections.
- Also referred to as pinch points, constrictions, midblock narrowings,
and midblock yield points.
- Usually installed in pares, one on each side of the road.
- Able to be integrated with crosswalks to provide a safer pedestrian
crossing by reducing the crossing distance, improving the line-of-site
for pedestrians, and making pedestrians more visible to drivers.
- Good for residential applications and heavy pedestrian areas.
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Typical Design:
- Chokers are usually constructed as an extension of the curb, sidewalk,
or planting strip.
- The extension into the roadway is typically 6-8 feet, depending on
the total width of the road.
- Curbs on the extensions can be vertical or mountable if it is necessary
to accommodate larger turning vehicles.
- The Institute of Transportation Engineers has design recommendations.(2)
- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has design recommendations.(3)
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Placement Issues:
- Chokers can be used at midblock locations or at intersections.
- When installed at intersections chokers can be designed to protect
parked vehicles and provide a safer pedestrian crossing.
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Approximate Cost:
- Installation costs of a pair of chokers can cost $4,000 and up depending
on the size, placement, and roadway drainage.(3)
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Comments:
- Chokers do not significantly reduce vehicle speed. A reduction of
1-2 mph might occur. A greater reduction in speed is possible by significantly
narrowing the lanes of travel. Safety and volume issues must be considered
when narrowing the roadway.
- Chokers can be integrated with other traffic calming measures like
speed humps, speed tables, raised cross walks, neighborhood roundabouts,
and medians.
- When designing a choker, considerable attention should be given to
aesthetics.
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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- Can reduce vehicle speed
- Can encourage a safer pedestrian environment
- Can improve the aesthetics of a neighborhood when landscaped
tastefully.
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- Some individuals consider one-lane chokers to be unsafe because,
"opposing traffic is vying for space on a single lane."(2)
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