TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM

The purposes of "traffic calming" are aimed at reducing traffic congestion and to keep traffic moving.

The Traffic Calming Program [1.6mb/49pp], adopted by the City Council in January 2005, was developed to provide the means to address existing traffic calming problems and to use in new development.

The Program provides the policy framework, tools, and process to put traffic calming into action. The Program is supported in the 2003 General Plan which includes several goals, policies and programs in the Land Use and Circulation Elements that address traffic calming related issues. The Program includes measures to protect local streets from cut-through traffic; reduce speeding; relieve traffic congestion; address residential parking problems; provide for vehicle and pedestrian safety; support for livable neighborhoods; address truck traffic; and encourage other modes of traveling.

The Traffic Calming Program is divided into five sections:

A description of the type of streets and related issues that traffic calming measures are designed to address;
Five different types of traffic management measures and their purposes, e.g. speeding, congestion, etc.;
Characteristics of traffic calming tools;
Criteria for determining how, when and where traffic calming should be applied, as well as guidelines for selection;
A traffic calming decision-making procedure.

Download the Traffic Calming Request form. The form must include a discussion of the current traffic problems. This form, which includes a petition, must be circulated by the requesting party(ies), and be returned containing the names and signatures of at least 50% plus one of the affected residents (in a residential neighborhood), or business owners/managers (in a commercial district) supporting the request to initiate a study. The petition shall be limited to one signature per household or business.

Roundabouts

A roundabout is a one-way, circular intersection without traffic signal equipment in which traffic flows around a center island. The modern roundabout has three distinguishing characteristics: They are generally circular in shape and have geometric features to slow traffic... Learn more!