NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC
CALMING PROGRAM (NTCP)
What is the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program?
It is a comprehensive program
designed specifically to protect the environment and quality of life in
What are the Program Goals?
Protect existing neighborhood
environments, cohesion, and integrity through traffic management.
Promote safe and comfortable
travel in neighborhoods.
Achieve effective and safe
movement of traffic within neighborhoods, including emergency vehicles.
Provide acceptable levels of
accessibility for local traffic, minimize unwanted traffic, and discourage
excessive speeds.
Is Any Road a Candidate for Traffic Calming?
A NTCP is designed only for those
residential streets that provide direct access to homes. It applies to existing relatively low volume
streets. It does not apply to
high-speed, high volume roads.
What types of physical measures can be used?
Depending on the situation, speed
tables, chokers, traffic circles, raised crosswalks, raised intersection,
chicanes and other physical measures as further described in the program could
be used.
Are there less expensive options than physical measures?
Increasing community awareness
about the program is an important first step.
The Public Works Department, Engineering Division is available to speak
to homeowners or neighborhood organizations about traffic calming measures and
to help raise awareness about advantages, disadvantages, approximate costs and
funding options. Depending on the
situation, a Neighborhood Speed Watch Program, stepped-up police enforcement
efforts or installation of signs and pavement markings could be used.
Who Pays for These Measures?
The costs are paid by the
neighborhood through neighborhood contributions. The neighborhood works directly with a
licensed contractor, approved by the City, and the work is performed under the
supervision of city staff.
How Does the Process Begin?
The process begins when the City
receives a request for solving traffic problems in their neighborhood that may
be solved by traffic calming measures.
The request should be made through the Public Works Department,
Engineering Division, 425-1807, sbyrd@cortn.org.
How Does the Program Work?
Step One
In response to the request, an
information packet containing petition forms, brochures and a booklet,
“Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program” is mailed to the individual(s)
requesting a study.
Information is available on the
City web site at cortn.org.
Before any remedial actions can be
implemented and after the information has been reviewed, a petition must be
circulated in the neighborhood influence area.
Boundary of the influence area, as
determined by city staff with input from the neighborhood, may extend beyond
the immediate street of concern.
The residents should meet among themselves and
establish a Neighborhood Traffic Advisory Committee to work closely with city
staff. The Committee should not exceed
three to four members and should be a representation of the general
neighborhood at large.
Step Two
As demonstrated by signatures on
the petition, at least 75% of the property owners within the influence area must
support the proposed study to identify traffic management problems and
solutions.
Only property owners are allowed
to vote.
Only one vote per parcel.
The petition is to help guarantee
that the neighborhood will actively support a traffic-calming program and to
give City Council and city staff a clear indication of the neighborhood’s
concerns.
Step Three
If the petition fails to obtain
75% of the influence area signatures, no further action is taken on development of a traffic management plan.
If the petition qualifies for a
traffic study by signatures of 75% or greater within the influence area, city
staff will meet with the neighborhood to identify the problems and review
traffic calming options and strategies to eliminate or reduce traffic problems.
Step Four
City staff proceeds with data
collection and analysis and prepares a preliminary plan.
Preliminary plan submitted to
Police/Fire/emergency/waste pickup/school entities for comments.
Preliminary plan reviewed with the
Neighborhood Traffic Advisory Committee.
If speeding is the sole
neighborhood concern, the 85th percentile speed must be five (5) mph higher
than the posted speed limit to proceed with program.
Step Five
Staff and the Neighborhood
Advisory Committee finalize a feasible traffic management plan.
Public meeting held with the
neighborhood influence area to review final plan.
Traffic management plan and
petition sent to the influence area requesting support and funding
contributions.
At least 75 % of the residents in
the influence area must support the plan.
100% approval of residents that
front a physical traffic control measure.
City Council review and approval
will be required if plan significantly diverts traffic.
Step Six
Neighborhood funds and implements
traffic management plan.
Some traffic calming measures,
such as speed tables are implemented for a 90-day trial period. At the conclusion of the test period, the
plan is evaluated for consideration as a permanent solution. The temporary installation will be removed if
the test plan proves ineffective.
Step Seven
The Public Works Department,
Engineering Division conducts after study (s) and provides written results to
the neighborhood.
Periodic reports to City Council
on effectiveness of NTCP.