Traffic Calming

The Process


Through the Traffic Calming Program, the City and residents work together to improve public safety on neighborhood streets. Traffic calming is a method of slowing traffic through physical treatments to streets originally designed primarily for vehicles. The most common examples include speed humps, medians and traffic circles. 

The City has a formal process (PDF) for addressing traffic concerns on local streets and any resident can request information about traffic calming for their neighborhood by contacting the Traffic Engineering Division at 467-4360 or by email. 

There are numerous traffic calming studies going on concurrently citywide and the amount of time it takes to complete the process varies from neighborhood to neighborhood. Major steps include:
  • The kick-off meeting, where residents learn about the program and the options available 
  • Data collection, which is done by City staff and provided to a study team comprised of neighborhood residents
  • Development of a plan to address the traffic issues, which is done by the study team, and
  • A neighborhood vote on the elements of the plan 

Traffic Calming Vote Results


Vote tallies for neighborhood traffic calming ballots are posted for 2 weeks on this page.

Hillcrest Circle Vote Results

Item Yes No Result
Install ONE speed hump at or near 420 Mohawk Drive 69% 31% Request did not pass.

Landscape Medians


A landscape median is a raised landscaped island located along the center-line of a street that narrows the adjacent travel lanes.

Placed at the entrance of a neighborhood, the median can serve as both a gateway into the neighborhood and a way to slow down traffic.
A traffic island with greenery and a median traffic sign

Traffic Circles


Traffic circles are raised islands, placed in intersections, around which traffic circulates. Circles are used for calming intersections where large vehicle traffic is not a major concern but speed, volume, and safety are problems.
A traffic circle with a garden in the middle

Speed Humps


Speed humps are rounded raised areas of asphalt placed across the roadway. A speed hump provides the most aggressive form of traffic calming and is beneficial in locations where low speeds are desired.
A traffic hump in the road with white arrows to indicate direction

Roundabouts


Roundabouts are one of the most effective intersection control treatments available with the added benefit of calming traffic. Take a look at the Roundabouts page for more information.
Aerial view of a roundabout with 3 merging areas of traffic and all of the signals painted on the ro

Traffic Calming Device Categories

Neighborhood Vote
 Engineering Approval
 Council Approval
 Requires Public
Hearing
Speed Humps
(parabolic / full or split)
 Circles with or
without outer rings
 Diverters
(Semi-diagonal-forced)
 Street Closures
(Permanent / Occasional)
Curb Extensions
 Alternate Parking
 Textured Pavements
Lateral Shifts
 General Use Signs
 Chicanes ("S" Shapes)
Speed Cushions
 "Psycho Perspective"
Controls / Tricks
 Lane Reductions
Narrowing / Neckdowns


Adjacent Landscaping / Streetscapes


Temporary measure


Traffic Islands