Traffic engineers, street supervisors and other public officials face a growing number of complaints about high motor vehicle speeds and volumes in residential neighborhoods. This can occur on classifications from local streets to minor arterials. The issue can also occur on state highways passing through small- and medium-size communities. This workshop will discuss typical traffic problems in neighborhoods and their causes. Geometric design features and traffic control strategies to provide safer and more livable neighborhoods will be described, including residential area traffic circles, curb extensions (bulb-outs), median islands, realigned intersections, speed humps, chokers and diverters. Impacts of these features on roadway users (pedestrians/bicyclists, emergency vehicles, transit and maintenance and related vehicles) will be reviewed along with legal and liability issues. Attention will also be given to the process of traffic calming, including public participation, identification of the problem and plan development, approval and implementation.
