A modal filter, sometimes referred to as a point closure, is a road design that restricts the passage of certain types of vehicle. Modal filtering is often used to help create a

low traffic neighbourhood A Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) is a scheme implemented to reduce through traffic in residential areas through the use of filtered permeability and traffic calming. LTNs can be implemented through the use of barriers such as bollards, boom ...

(LTN), where motor traffic is diverted away from residential streets and instead toward feeder roads. Modal filters can be used to achieve

filtered permeability Permeability or connectivity describes the extent to which urban forms permit (or restrict) movement of people or vehicles in different directions. The terms are often used interchangeably, although differentiated definitions also exist (see belo ...

within a transport network, and can encourage walking and cycling through more pleasant environments and improved safety. Modal filters can be implemented through the use of barriers such as

bollard A bollard is a sturdy, short, vertical post. The term originally referred to a post on a ship or quay used principally for mooring boats. It now also refers to posts installed to control road traffic and posts designed to prevent automotive v ...

boom barrier A boom barrier, also known as a boom gate, is a bar, or pole pivoted to allow the boom to block vehicular or pedestrian access through a controlled point. Typically the tip of a boom gate rises in a vertical arc to a near vertical position. Boo ...

s and

planters Planters Nut & Chocolate Company is an American snack food company now owned by Hormel Foods. Planters is best known for its processed nuts and for the Mr. Peanut icon that symbolizes them. Mr. Peanut was created by grade schooler Antonio Gentil ...

, though filters can also be implemented virtually through the use of

automatic number-plate recognition Automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR; see also other names below) is a technology that uses optical character recognition on images to read vehicle registration plates to create vehicle location data. It can use existing closed-circuit tele ...

cameras A camera is an optical instrument that can capture an image. Most cameras can capture 2D images, with some more advanced models being able to capture 3D images. At a basic level, most cameras consist of sealed boxes (the camera body), with a ...

and

road signs Traffic signs or road signs are signs erected at the side of or above roads to give instructions or provide information to road users. The earliest signs were simple wooden or stone milestones. Later, signs with directional arms were introduce ...

, which can allow residential motor access while prohibiting passing motor traffic.

Gallery

File:Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) trial of a modal filter in the London Borough of Kingston upon Thames.jpg, A trial modal filter using easily moved planters in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

. File:LTN modal filter 'road open to' sign.jpg, A sign explains what kind of traffic is allowed through the modal filter.

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See also

References