Chicane
Serpentine road curves designed to slow traffic for safety.
A chicane is a deliberate S-shaped curve built into a road, not one created by the natural landscape. Its purpose is to add extra turns, forcing drivers to slow down for safety, whether on a racetrack or a public street. A common example is a short, shallow S-bend requiring a slight left then right turn, which naturally reduces speed. The word comes from the French verb *chicaner*, meaning "to create difficulties" or "to quibble," and is related to the English word "chicanery." The Spanish verb *chicanear* similarly means "to use trickery."
In motor racing, chicanes are often placed after long straights. Because they follow heavy braking zones, they become common spots for overtaking. Circuit designers use them strategically to prevent cars from reaching unsafe speeds. For instance, three chicanes were added to the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in the early 1970s, the Chase at Mount Panorama was introduced in 1987, and the Tamburello chicane at Imola was installed in 1995 following Ayrton Senna's death at the original corner. At Le Mans in 1990, two chicanes were placed on the 6-kilometer Mulsanne Straight after Group C prototypes reached 400 km/h, to comply with new international rules limiting the maximum length of a straight to 2 kilometers—though the straight itself remained approximately 6 km long, with the chicanes breaking it into segments. Chicanes can also reduce the effectiveness of slipstreaming. The term is used in other sports, like bobsleigh, for similar course shifts. A slower driver or vehicle that holds up competitors is sometimes called a "mobile chicane" or "moving chicane," especially if they fail to yield quickly despite blue flags, costing others time and points.
For traffic calming, chicanes are a form of "horizontal deflection" that forces drivers to slow down by creating a lateral shift in the road. They fall into two main types: single-lane working chicanes, which use staggered build-outs so that one direction must yield to oncoming traffic, and two-way working chicanes, which provide deflection but keep lanes separated by markings or a central island. Crash data for these schemes shows changes in injury crashes ranging from a 54% decrease to a 32% increase, along with shifts in crash severity. Chicanes can also block certain vehicles. For example, the Vermont Agency of Transportation considered adding them to Route 108 in Stowe and C
- field
- Road design, motor racing, traffic calming
- known_for
- Serpentine curves used to slow vehicles for safety
- etymology
- From French verb chicaner, meaning 'to create difficulties' or 'to dispute pointlessly'
Lore & Background
On modern racing circuits, chicanes are usually located after long straights. Due to being preceded by heavy braking zones, they are regularly used as overtaking spots. They can be placed tactically by circuit designers to prevent vehicles from reaching speeds deemed to be unsafe. Examples include three chicanes at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, introduced in the early 1970s; the Chase at Mount Panorama, added in 1987; and the Tamburello chicane at Imola, placed in 1995 after Ayrton Senna's death at the original corner. At Le Mans in 1990, two chicanes were placed on the 6 km Mulsanne Straight where Group C prototypes had previously achieved speeds of 400 km/h, to conform to new international regulations limiting the maximum length of a straight to 2 km—though the straight itself remained approximately 6 km long, with the chicanes breaking it into segments.
In traffic calming, chicanes are a type of horizonta
Reader's Guide
Chicanes are significant as deliberate road features that enhance safety by forcing speed reduction through lateral displacement. In motor racing, they are critical for controlling vehicle speeds on long straights, creating overtaking opportunities, and complying with safety regulations. Their introduction at historic circuits like Monza, Mount Panorama, Imola, and Le Mans demonstrates their role in adapting tracks to modern safety standards. In traffic calming, chicanes are a proven tool for reducing vehicle speeds and crash severity, though their effectiveness varies widely. The term also applies to pedestrian safety at railway crossings and access control at parks. The word's etymology—from French and Spanish verbs meaning 'to create difficulties' or 'to use trickery'—reflects the deliberate, designed nature of these obstacles. Chicanes remain a versatile element in both competitive racing and everyday road design, balancing speed and safety.
Did You Know?
- The word chicane derives from the French verb chicaner, meaning 'to create difficulties' or 'to dispute pointlessly'.
- At Le Mans in 1990, two chicanes were placed on the Mulsanne Straight to limit straight length to 2 km after prototypes reached 400 km/h.
- Limited crash-data for traffic-calming chicanes shows changes in injury crashes ranging from −54% to +32%.
- A slower driver that delays competitors is sometimes called a mobile chicane or moving chicane.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chicane in motorsport?
A chicane is a purpose-built, S-shaped sequence of tight turns inserted into a circuit to force drivers to lift off the throttle and reduce speed. Unlike a natural bend in the road, it is an artificial addition designed specifically for safety.
Why do racetracks include chicanes?
The primary goal is safety: by adding extra steering input, a chicane naturally bleeds off speed so that the following corners or straights are less dangerous. It also makes the track more technically demanding, rewarding drivers who can carry momentum through the sequence.
Where does the word 'chicane' come from?
It derives from the French verb chicaner, which means to create difficulties or to quibble pointlessly. The English word 'chicanery' and the Spanish verb chicanear share the same root, all carrying a sense of deliberate trickery or obstruction.
How is a chicane different from a regular corner?
A standard corner follows the natural contour of the landscape, while a chicane is an engineered, artificial S-bend—often a brief left-then-right or right-then-left combination—inserted where the track would otherwise be too fast and straight.
Where on a circuit are chicanes most commonly placed?
They are typically positioned at the end of long straights, where cars would otherwise arrive at the next corner at dangerously high speed. This placement lets the track designer control peak velocities without shortening the straight itself.
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