How the Program Works
The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program consists of an initial review phase and a structural traffic calming phase. During the initial phase, we focus on changing driver behavior through enforcement and engineering measures. The neighborhood is reviewed for adequate signing, pavement markings, and visibility to signs and approaching vehicles at intersections. Traffic Engineering works with the police department in efforts to reduce speeding. Also in the initial review phase is the completion of traffic studies. These studies document the type of roadway, number of driveways and cross streets, the presence of non-motorized users of the road, and traffic volume/speed data collection. If the initial review phase indicates the street is eligible for the program and there is a speeding concern or excessive traffic volumes, it will progress to the next phase, where physical treatments are considered.
Initial Review Phase Process
Step 1 – Submit a Traffic Study Request form detailing your traffic concerns. The person submitting the form for a particular street must live on the same street or be a representative of the neighborhood HOA.
Step 2 – Traffic Engineering conducts a field review of the area and performs traffic studies. If the street meets the eligibility requirements, it will progress to Step 3.
Step 3 – Traffic Engineering analyzes the speed/volume and field data to determine if the street qualifies for the installation of structural traffic calming devices. If the street qualifies for the devices, postcards will be sent to the affected homeowners requesting their preference for structural traffic calming devices. 75% of the prepaid postcards must be returned and 70% of those returned must be in favor of the devices before installation can take place. This equates to a minimum of 52.5% of the residents agreeing to the installation of structural traffic calming devices.
The intent of the postcard process is to allow us to garner public support from residents on a roadway that has a speeding issue. In certain cases, a safety concern may necessitate an immediate action. In these cases, engineering judgment may be used to install structural traffic calming devices without the postcard process.
Second Phase Process
Step 1 – Traffic Engineering receives the postcards and works with the neighborhood and emergency services to find the appropriate temporary traffic management devices to install on the street.
Step 2 – Temporary structural traffic management devices are installed on the street.
Step 3 – After 9-12 months from the time of installation of the temporary traffic management devices, the street is reevaluated to determine if the devices were successful in reducing speeds and/or volume of vehicles. If the follow-up studies show that the speeds are relatively the same, the temporary devices will be removed.
If the follow-up studies show a significant reduction in the speed or volume of vehicles, the temporary devices will be replaced with permanent devices. This replacement effort will have to be designed and funded. The length of time it will take to replace the temporary devices with permanent devices will depend on workload, funding, design, and the weather.
