A Narrative Review of Redesigning Traffic Calming Criteria to Enhance Digital Environmental Safety in Residential Areas
List of Authors
Ali Amsyar Ali Yusof, Asmalia Che Ahmad, Izatul Farrita Mohd Kamar
Keyword
traffic calming, digital environmental safety, residential street design, technology acceptance model, smart infrastructure
Abstract
This paper presents a narrative review on the integration of digital technologies into traffic calming strategies to enhance environmental safety in residential areas. As urban environments evolve toward smart and sustainable futures, traditional traffic calming measures such as speed humps and curb extensions remain effective in reducing vehicle speed but fall short in terms of adaptability, real-time responsiveness, and environmental sensitivity. This review explores how the fusion of traditional methods with intelligent infrastructure, such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and adaptive signage, can improve safety and support environmental monitoring in residential settings. Drawing from multidisciplinary literature in engineering, urban planning, and behavioral science, the review highlights the limitations of existing interventions and the emerging role of technology in reshaping residential mobility. While technological advancements show promise, user acceptance and behavioral engagement remain underexplored. To address this, the review applies the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to examine factors influencing public perception and adoption of smart calming systems. Key research gaps are identified in areas such as the standardization of digital criteria, context-sensitive implementation, and empirical evaluation of environmental impacts. The findings suggest that future research should focus on pilot programs that integrate physical and digital measures, adopt longitudinal environmental tracking, and employ mixed-method approaches to assess user behavior. This review ultimately proposes an interdisciplinary framework that redefines traffic calming as a synergy between engineering, digital innovation, and community-centered design to promote safer, smarter, and more environmentally responsive neighborhoods.