Chicane

A chicane refers to offset curbs, curb extensions, parking lanes or other forms of horizontal deflection which create a “slalom effect” that can help to reduce speeding along roadways. In addition to calming traffic, chicanes can provide additional public space that can be activated further by seating, landscaping, bicycle parking, or public art.

S curves painted into the street slow down cars as part of a chicane treatment in New York City. 
 A photo of a roadway with a chicane created by striping and low-profile speed humps.
New York City (NY Street Design Manual) New York, NY (Wikimedia Commons,
By Roy Smith - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0)

 

Program Goals This Project Type Meets

  • Increase safety (speed management)
  • Invite public use

Typical Applications

  • 1-2 lane residential or urban center roadway

Material Options

Design Considerations

  • Maintain proper drainage and ability to access for street sweeping
  • Where applicable, maintain bicycle lane access around or through chicanes
  • Provide an appropriate taper or transition zone between offset elements based on target speed and street geometry (see MUTCD). 
  • Maintain truck, bus, and fire truck turning ability and make elements mountable if needed.
  • Where pedestrians will be able to and/or encouraged to wait, walk, or spend time within the chicane, consider crashworthy barriers such as jersey barriers.

Other Considerations

  • Chicanes should not obstruct access to driveways or fire hydrants
  • Opportunity to include artistic elements and/or parklets
  • If used as public space, consider ADA accessibility, particularly for pedestrians with visual impairments
  • If designed on transit routes, consider the impacts of vertical deflection

Other Resources

Related Information

Back to top