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Urban Street Design Guide Index

Urban Street Design Guide
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Chicane

Chicane

Offset curb extensions on residential or low volume downtown streets create a chicane effect that slows traffic speeds considerably.

Chicanes increase the amount of public space available on a corridor and can be activated using benches, bicycle parking, and other amenities.

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Chicanes increase the amount of public space available on a corridor and can be activated using benches, bicycle parking, and other amenities.

Recommended

A chicane design may warrant additional signing and striping to ensure that drivers are aware of a slight bend in the roadway.
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Optional

Where application of a curb extension adversely impacts drainage, curb extensions may be designed as edge islands with a 1–2-foot gap from the curb.
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Curb extensions can be implemented using low-cost or temporary materials. In such cases, curb extensions should be demarcated from the existing roadbed using temporary curbs, bollards, planters, or striping.

See Moving the Curb

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Chicanes may be designed using a return angle of 45 degrees, or a more gradual taper and transition, resulting in an S-shaped roadway.
A chicane configuration may also be created using a “checkered” parking scheme.
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References

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Adapted from the Urban Street Design Guide, published by Island Press.

References

References for Chicane: 2 found.