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Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Traffic calming is a term used in Traffic Engineering to encourage safer, more responsible vehicular driving. Traffic calming uses physical design and/or devices on existing streets to improve safety for roadway users, including pedestrians and bicyclists.
Purpose
This program's purpose is to provide appropriate and consistent treatment for traffic calming requests from a citizen group or HOA. No request is guaranteed to be approved or constructed. The installation of traffic calming measures may rely on the number of requests received and available funding in any particular budget year. This program only applies to local, residential streets. State Roads, County Roads, collector streets, arterial streets, and streets located in commercial zoning districts will not be considered for traffic calming.
For traffic calming measures to be considered, the following minimum criteria must be met:
- The posted speed limit is 30 mph or less
- The minimum width of the street is 12 feet
- The street must be classified as a local street. Certain traffic calming devices on minor collectors may be allowed at the discretion of Development Services & Public Works
- The local street is a through street connecting two collector streets, two arterial streets, or a collector to an arterial street. In other words, a through street is any street that a driver can use to 'cut through' from one larger street to another larger designated street (collector or arterial)
- Residential street 'circles' (having the same entrance and exit) and cul-de-sacs are not eligible for traffic calming
- An exception to the requirement that a street be a 'through street' includes a local street that services a general public area, such as a public park, a school, or other larger venues/developments/businesses in which there may be more traffic generated than just local residential traffic of a specific neighborhood. Note: Individual resident, contractor, or delivery vehicle speeding issues should be addressed by the HOA or group with those residents/businesses and/or the Police Department.
- The street must be longer than 1000 feet between stop signs, sharp curves, or 90-degree turns
- The combination of roadway horizontal and vertical curves is not such that would result in inadequate stopping sight distance as they encounter a potential traffic calming device
- The street is not a transit route or a primary emergency access route
Projects that are being considered for the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (NTCP) must follow the procedure outlined below.
Request Traffic Calming
A homeowner's association (HOA) or a neighborhood group must submit a written request for traffic calming on a specific street segment or segments to the Development Services and Public Works (DSPW) department. A neighborhood that does not have an organized HOA may form a small group of four different property owners (one individual from each owned property). The requesting group must live along the street being submitted for traffic calming. The written request must identify the perceived traffic problem and must include contact information for a representative (the requester) of the HOA or neighborhood group. Individual citizens and rental tenants are not eligible to initiate projects for the NTCP. Single-family home renters will need to have the consent of the property owner to participate in any traffic calming request.
Initial Review
Upon receipt of a valid written request and per the guidelines of this policy, DSPW will conduct an initial review of the street(s). This initial review will include the following:
- Ensure that the street(s) meet the minimum criteria
- Conduct field review and inspection as necessary to determine if traffic calming criteria are applicable
If the street(s) do not meet the minimum criteria, the application will be terminated. If the request meets the minimum criteria, the requester will be notified, and the application will move to the next step in the process.
Data Collection and Analysis
City staff will perform data collection for the requested street(s) to ensure the street(s) meet specific study criteria, as stated herein. Data will typically be collected on weekdays over a continuous, minimum 48-hour period while schools are in session unless otherwise advised in the request. Data will not be collected on holidays or at least one day before or after a holiday. The data collection will assist in determining the eligibility of the street(s) based on the following specific study criteria and Grading System:
- The maximum grade on the section of roadway that is being considered for traffic calming measures does not exceed 7 percent
- The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volume must be greater than 150 vehicles per day and less than or equal to 2,000 vehicles per day (in a 24-hour period)
- The 85th percentile speed is at least 4 mph faster than the posted speed limit
- The combination of traffic volume and 85th percentile speed of traffic will be quantified using the Grading System Criteria. At least six points are required to move to the next step in the process.
Grading System Criteria
Daily Traffic Volumes
| 0-150 | Not Eligible |
| 151-300 | 1 |
| 301-500 | 2 |
| 501-700 | 3 |
| 751-1,000 | 4 |
| 1,001-2,000 | 5 |
| 2,001+ | Not Eligible* |
*Unless approved by DSPW
85th Percentile Speeds*
| 0-4 MPH | Not Eligible |
| 4 MPH | 1 |
| 5 MPH | 2 |
| 6 MPH | 3 |
| 7 MPH | 4 |
| 8 MPH | 5 |
| >10 MPH | 6 |
*Over speed limit
- Streets that do not have sidewalks on at least one side are given one (1) point, resulting in the need to obtain at least 5 points from the tables above.
- Historical crash data will also be obtained and analyzed to assist in prioritizing traffic calming projects; however, crashes alone do not constitute the need for traffic calming devices.
If DSPW determines that the street segment does not meet eligibility criteria, the application will be terminated. The requested street(s) will be ineligible for the NTCP for a period of two years unless DSPW determines that changing conditions, such as additional development, have resulted in a traffic volume or speeding problem. If DSPW determines that the above criteria are met in full, then the project will be included in the NTCP, and the next step will be initiated. DSPW will identify feasible and appropriate traffic calming alternatives to address the identified traffic problem.
Petition
DSPW will determine the petition area. The petition area will typically include the following:
- Properties along the street that is being considered for traffic calming measures
- Properties along streets where access is substantially dependent upon the street that is proposed to be calmed
- Properties along any street that is expected to receive significant increases, as determined by DSPW in traffic volumes or types as a result of the traffic calming installation
DSPW will prepare a petition packet that includes the petition form, a copy of the NTCP policy, a map of the study area, the approved traffic calming solution and approximate location, and the names and addresses of the property owners within the petition area. The petition packet will be given to the requester, who will be responsible for circulating the petition.
The requester must obtain supporting signatures, or 'yes' votes, that represent 67% (2/3) of the property owners within the petition area. Single-family home renters will need to request permission from the property owner to represent them in the petition voting process. Only one vote per property will be counted. Missing signatures will be counted as 'no' votes. The requester will have 45 days to collect signatures and submit the petition results. If the petition response meets threshold criteria, the application will move to the next step in the process. If the petition fails to meet threshold criteria or is not returned by the petition deadline, the application will be terminated. The neighborhood group or HOA will be ineligible to submit another request for traffic calming for a period of one year, and the street(s) requested shall not be eligible for a period of two years.
Develop, Prioritize, and Install Traffic Calming Measures
DSPW will develop construction documents with estimated costs for the proposed traffic calming measures to be implemented. Construction of traffic calming measures will be prioritized based on a variety of factors, such as availability of funding, Grading System Criteria score, implementation costs, and cost-sharing participation with the HOA or neighborhood group. Projects that include HOA or neighborhood funding will receive higher prioritization.
For example, if there are two identical projects each costing the same amount and one group elects to participate in the cost by providing 25% and the other group elects to participate in the cost of 75%, then the project that participates with 75% of the cost will be higher on the list then the group that participates 25%. The cost to the City is smaller, and the City's limited funding for traffic calming will go further and include more projects when cost-sharing with HOAs and citizen groups. Projects funded 100% by the HOA or neighborhood group will get top priority for implementation, but must be approved by the City of Pelham.
The highest priority projects will be implemented first. Traffic calming measures will not be implemented until all associated maintenance/landscape/payment agreements have been finalized and City funds have been budgeted and authorized for expenditure. City crews or a contractor selected by the City will install the measures.
Techniques that are specifically permitted in the NTCP
Vertical Traffic Calming Measures
Vertical traffic calming measures are segments of roadway where vehicles are moved up and down, causing some driver discomfort at higher speeds. By removing a vehicle's straight line of travel, vehicles are encouraged to reduce speed to navigate the movements. A speed cushion is a series of small rubber speed cushions installed across the road. Designed to be wide enough to slow cars while narrow enough for emergency vehicles to straddle. Speed bumps are not allowed in the City as a traffic calming device. Speed Cushions will not be permitted on any minor collector roadways that are included in the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program.
Non-Physical Measures
Non-physical measures are ones that do not require construction or physical changes to the existing roadway.
Driver Feedback Signs
Driver feedback signs show the current speed limit and the speed that a vehicle is traveling at the moment. These signs inform drivers of their speed and encourage them to drive the speed limit. They can also be programmed to alert a driver who is traveling over the speed limit by flashing or displaying a message.
Reduced Speed Limit
Establishing a lower speed limit may help to reduce speeding and cut-through traffic in residential neighborhoods. It may be desirable to lower the speed limits on these roadways to the City's default speed limit, 20 mph for local or residential roadways.
Techniques that are specifically prohibited in the NTCP
Rumble strips are raised buttons, bars, or grooves that are closely placed on a roadway at regular intervals. They cause both noise and vibration in vehicles as motorists drive over them. Typically, rumble strips are used to alert drivers to unusual conditions ahead. As motorists get used to the rumble strips, the strips become less effective over time. Rumble strips can result in increased noise levels for nearby residents. Also, rumble strips require a high amount of maintenance. For these reasons, rumble strips may not be used as a traffic calming technique in the City of Pelham.
Speed bumps are shorter (six to 12 inches long) than speed humps (12-22 feet) and have been associated with maintenance, safety, and liability concerns. Speed “bumps” are not allowed in the City as a traffic calming device on residential streets.
If an application is terminated, Engineering may assist the neighborhood HOA or groups in developing educational programs for residents. This may come in the form of a flyer/brochure of written information. It will be the responsibility of the neighborhood HOA or groups to implement the educational programs.
Enforcement efforts may be completed in tandem with neighborhood education. The Police Department will work with Engineering to help resolve traffic problems, such as speeding. Enforcement efforts may involve the use of speed trailers, officers, and may include citations for violators.
- Can we have a “Slow - Children at Play” sign?
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Federal Standards discourage the use of “Children at Play” signs. There is a widespread false belief that traffic signs provide added protection. Studies have shown there is no long-term reduction in speed with these signs nor enforcement of ‘lower’ speeds. These signs may be found in locations throughout the city; however, these signs were placed before the MUTCD changed the recommendation for the use of this sign. The current edition of the MUTCD does not include this sign and therefore should not be used.
- Can we have an All-way Stop for Traffic Calming?
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All-way stop signs must meet specific requirements found in the MUTCD. These requirements typically involve traffic volumes, crash history, and pedestrians. The MUTCD specifically states that “Yield or Stop signs should not be used for speed control.” Multiway or All-way stop requests shall be requested separately and are not included in the NTCP.
- What is the Speed Limit on residential streets when not posted?
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Per City of Pelham Ordinances, the speed limit for residential streets where not posted is 20 mph.
- Can I request that a speed limit sign be posted on a street or in a neighborhood?
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Yes, we can review current signage and recommend a speed limit sign location(s) should it not be posted. This is at the discretion of the City, per their findings and allowable budget. It should be noted, the City does not supply decorative posts or install decorative posts for signs. If a neighborhood has decorative posts or standards, the City can only supply the sign to the HOA for them to install on their post.