Community Traffic Calming Programs · ACTIVE TRANSPORTATIONSAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACADEMY 1. Understand traffic calming, its importance, and its challenges 2. Recognize its connections

Community Traffic Calming ProgramsJune 21, 2018 Webinar

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

Introduction

Kimberly Burton, P.E., AICP CTP, LEED AP ND President, Burton Planning Services

Active Transportation Academy Roles:• Project Executive• Course Developer• Course Instructor

SAFE ROUTES ACADEMYACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

• Active Transportation Academy overview• Full course learning outcomes• Highlighted topics:

oWhat is traffic calming?oBenefits & challengesoToolkitoComponents

Outline


Active Transportation Academy


• ATA purpose – to offer training to help communities reach their active transportation goals

• FREE trainings and workshops to communities throughout Ohio• Open to any local jurisdiction (school, school district,

government, health department, etc.)• Professional development credits available for attendees• Home page for more information: ODOT>Planning>LTAP>ATA

o https://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/LocalPrograms/LTAP/Pages/Active-Transportation-Academy.aspx



• Recent rebranding from “Safe Routes Academy” to reflect broader offering of courses

• Active Transportation Courses - NEW COURSES!1. Community Traffic Calming Programs (4 hours)2. Conducting Walk/Bike Audits (4 hours)3. Health & Equity in Transportation (4 hours)



Active Transportation Academy• Train the Trainer Courses

1.Walking School Bus Training (4 hours)

2.Crossing Guard Training (4 hours)3.Girls in Gear Training (4 hours)4.Conducting a School Walk Audit

(4 hours)

Source: BPS


Active Transportation Academy• SRTS Training/Imp Programs

1.SRTS School Lesson Plans (8 hours)2.SRTS School Travel Plan Development

(4 hours)3.Non-Infrastructure Implementation

(4 hours)4. Incorporating SRTS into Wellness, School

and Community Policy & Planning (4 hours)5.Safety in Active Transportation: School &

Community Planning (4 hours)Source: WSB



• COMING SOON!• Crossing Guard Training –

Online/On-Demand• Vision Zero Action Plan• Complete Streets

Implementation • Advocating for Active

Transportation

Source: BPS


Community Traffic Calming Programs

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMYSAFE ROUTES ACADEMYACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

• Today’s webinar is a preview of the 4-hour in-person Community Traffic Calming Programs course

• Most topics for the in-person course will be highlighted today

• The in-person course provides more details on the topics and includes activities for hands-on learning

Learning Outcomes


1. Understand traffic calming, its importance, and its challenges

2. Recognize its connections to other programso Explain what traffic calming iso Understand the benefits and outcomeso Understand the problems traffic calming can addresso Development is a key contributing factor to issueso Connections to other programs and initiatives - SRTS,

active transportation, tactical urbanism, and traffic safety

Learning Outcomes


3. Be familiar with traffic calming measures4. Recognize the effectiveness of traffic calming

measureso Understand the non-physical measureso Understand the physical measureso Evaluate the effectiveness of the various measureso Identify scenarios and local examples where traffic calming

would be beneficial

Learning Outcomes


5. Possess practical knowledge of traffic calming program componentso Understand the program policies and elementso Describe the project development processo Recognize the role of the public in the processo Be familiar with how traffic calming programs can be funded

6. Understand how to create a traffic calming programo Identify the steps to creating a traffic calming programo Understand the keys to successo Recognize available resources to assist in the implementation

Learning Outcomes


• “Traffic calming involves changes in street alignment, installation of barriers, and other physical measures to reduce traffic speeds and/or cut-through volumes, in the interest of street safety, livability, and other public purposes.”

Traffic Calming: State of the PracticeInstitute of Transportation Engineers, 1999

What is Traffic Calming?

Source: Surrey CA

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMYACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ACADEMY

What is Traffic Calming?

• Non-engineering and engineering measures to address:o Traffic volume and speedo Walking/bicycling safetyo Street appearanceo Residents’ concerns

Source: PBIC


• Community benefitso Inexpensive and flexibleo Reduces collision frequency and severityo Reduces cut-through traffico Paired with aesthetic improvementso Improves quality of lifeo Encourages placemaking and revitalization

Benefits & Challenges


• Community challengeso Fundingo Balancing needs/desires of neighborhoods and motorists



• Active transportation benefitso Traffic calming makes streets safer and more comfortable

for pedestrians & bicyclistso Vehicle speeds/volumes are directly related to injury/fatality

rateso Vehicle speeds/volumes inversely related to pedestrian/

bicyclist comfort



• Active transportation challengeso Possible barriers/impediments to active transportation

facilities e.g. Speed bumps & Road closures

o Traffic calming measures selected for implementation should be designed to accommodate/promote active transportation Speed bumps – allow gaps for bicycle tires Road closures – maintain access for pedestrians and cyclists



• Using the 3 E’s:o Educationo Enforcemento Engineering

• Start with education & enforcement

The most effective traffic calming programs use all 3 E’s

Toolkit

Traffic Calming Toolkit

Education

EnforcementEngineering


Toolkit

• Education o Get neighbors involved Discuss traffic issues,

walking/biking, driving/ parking habits

o Model and teach safe walking and bicycling

o Know the law

Source: BPS


Toolkit

• Enforcemento Partner with local law

enforcement to reduce speeds in unsafe areas

o Request a speed-monitoring trailer

o Organize a Neighborhood Speed Watch

Source: City of Denver


• Engineering – when to use it:o Continued complaints and/or documentation of speedingo New developments, road network alterations, or other

changes increase cut-through traffic o Lack of behavior change after sustained education and

enforcement

Toolkit


Toolkit• Engineering – Speed

Management:o Vertical Measures Ex: Speed Bumps

o Horizontal Measures Ex: Traffic Circles, Lane

Narrowingso Other Measures Streetscaping, Ped/Bike

Facilities, Textured Pavement

Source: BPS


Toolkit• Engineering – Volume

Management:o Partial/Full Closureso Diverterso Median Barrierso Road Diets

• Permanent vs. Temporary Measures

Source: NACTO


Major components:1. Project Initiation2. Project Development3. Project Approval4. Project Implementation5. Project Evaluation

Program Components

1

23

4

5


1. Project Initiationo Resident/group application; application selectedo Convene stakeholders and identify issues/needso Establish an official committee

o Potential stakeholders: Public: Elected & appointed officials, Local transportation agencies,

Schools, Safety services Private: Neighborhood associations, Advocacy groups, Local

businesses, Underserved populations

Program Components


2. Project Developmento Identify and develop traffic calming measure(s) to mitigate

issues

o Hold neighborhood meeting(s) to discuss traffic issueso Staff/committee review of traffic datao Use toolkit to consider measures for mitigationo Maintain documentation that shows program is based on

objective data and follows procedures

Program Components


3. Project Approvalo Approve specific traffic calming measures for

implementation

o Approval by neighborhood residents and government stakeholders Planning Commission, City Council, other appointed/elected

officialso Need pre-set minimum for participation and “yes” responses

Program Components


Program Components

4. Project Implementationo Prepare engineering

design; construct/install measures

o Consider temporary optionso Identify infrastructure and

landscaping maintenance responsibility

Source: BPS


5. Project Evaluationo Programs can also include post-implementation evaluations

to assess effectiveness of implemented measures

o Speed and volume are typically the primary metrics used for assessment

o Evaluation can lead to refinement of the implemented measures – including the removal, relocation, or redesign

Program Components


Program ComponentsKeys to success:

• Stakeholder & community engagemento Partners & champions

• Navigating concerns• Temporary vs. permanent

measures• Catalytic projects• Dedicated funding• Performance measurement

Source: Planetizen


Example: City of Grandview, Ohio

• Traffic Advisory Plan 2016o Proactive approach o Addresses near-term

issueso Sets protocol for

managing future issueso Best practices for traffic

mitigation and management

http://grandviewheights.org/DocumentCenter/View/1697



• Plan componentso Roadway network Existing conditions

o Toolkit Preferred measures

o Process Implementation steps

o Evaluation Criteria Effects of implementation



• Application processo Easy-to-follow flowcharto Timeframe ~1 year

1. Process initiation2. Plan development3. Design and approvals4. Install and evaluate














Wrap-Up


1. Classroom o Introductions/Icebreaker o Learning Outcomeso What is traffic calming?o Traffic calming benefits,

challenges, and connections

o Toolkit

2. Field Exerciseo Site visit

3. Classroomo Program componentso Implementationo What would it take in your

community?o Tools and resources

Full Course Agenda


• To host a training in your community, please apply here:o bit.ly/Active-Transportation-Academy-Application

• Please commit to at least 15 participants & have a space for the trainingo Consider multiple schools, communities, etc. if neededo We are happy to assist with recruiting or coordinating with

nearby communities

How to Apply for a Course

Community Traffic Calming ProgramsJune 21, 2018 Webinar

Kimberly Burton, P.E., AICP CTP, LEED AP ND President, Burton Planning Services(614) [email protected]

THANK YOU! QUESTIONS?

Documents

Community Traffic Calming Programs · ACTIVE TRANSPORTATIONSAFE ROUTES ACADEMY ACADEMY 1. Understand traffic calming, its importance, and its challenges 2. Recognize its connections