Turn Calming

Usage: Wide

Turn Calming treatments improve safety at intersections by reducing the speed and sharpness of turning vehicle movements. These treatments use low-cost, quick-build materials to physically narrow turning paths and encourage drivers to make slower, more deliberate turns. Turn calming reduces the risk of conflicts between turning vehicles and vulnerable road users, particularly pedestrians and micromobility users, by creating a more predictable intersection environment.

For more information and detailed specifications, refer to DOT’s Turn Calming Program.
 

Greene Avenue and Classon Avenue, Brooklyn
Lexington Avenue and 33rd Street, Manhattan

Benefits

  • Reduces turning speeds, improving pedestrian and micromobility safety
  • Increases visibility between turning drivers and crossing pedestrians
  • Supports Vision Zero goals 
  • Can be implemented quickly using interim materials
     

Considerations

  • Materials may require routine maintenance due to wear
  • Should be evaluated in the context of pedestrian activity, traffic patterns, and intersection geometry
  • Treatments always maintain a minimum of 6 inches from crosswalks and 2 feet from bike lanes to avoid tripping hazard
     

Application

Turn calming treatments are recommended at intersections where:

  • There is a history of crashes involving turning vehicles
  • Pedestrian or cyclist activity is high
  • Intersection geometry encourages fast or wide turns
  • Interim safety improvements are needed prior to capital reconstruction

Treatments can be installed as part of Operational Projects and upgraded to permanent designs in Capital Projects.
 

Design

Turn calming treatments are designed to adapt to different intersection layouts and typically include the following treatment types:

  • Basic Hardened Centerline, Complete Hardened Centerline, Slow Turn Wedge, Bike Island Channelization, or Median Extension

For more information on the treatments and materials used, refer to DOT’s Turn Calming Program.
 

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