HomeMy WebLinkAboutV. COW Agenda Item Traffic Calming 02/24/2009
Mount Prospea
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Mount Prospect Public Works Department
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO:
VILLAGE MANAGER MICHAEL E. JANONIS
FROM:
PROJECT ENGINEER
DATE:
FEBRUARY 19, 2009
SUBJECT: NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM,
STATUS OF SEE-GWUN A VENUE SPEED HUMP PROJECT &
ROLL CURBED STREETS WITH ADJOINING SIDEWALK
In May 2005 the Village Board of Trustees and Staff discussed, in concept, a traffic calming program for
the community. The meeting focused on the idea of having a traffic calming program that was responsive
to neighborhoods. The Village Board was also introduced to a variety of physical devices referred to as
traffic calming measures. At the time, it was agreed further discussions would take place after
implementation of the Neighborhood Traffic Study. This study was just getting underway and expected
to enhance safety by providing standardization to both intersection control and speed limits in
neighborhoods. The other component to this study was the anticipated involvement of the Police
Department's Traffic Unit. With the many changes to the traffic regulations, they would not only provide
enforcement but their hands-on involvement with residents would make for a smooth transition.
Ultimately, the Neighborhood Traffic Study would not only lay a good foundation of proper traffic
control but the scheduled post-studies would provide insight as to the resulting traffic conditions (i.e.
vehicular volume & speed) on the neighborhood streets. As Staff is now completing post-studies in a
number of neighborhoods, it is this information that will be valuable in developing a successful
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program.
Leveraging our experience implementing the Neighborhood Traffic Study, Staff has begun to reevaluate
our intended approach to traffic calming of four years ago. While the program would still provide a
process for traffic calming requests initiated by residents, much more up-front work would be done by
Staff than originally conceived. This would allow Staff to take a more pro-active approach to the
program. This up-front work along with outlining the recommended process and potential traffic calming
measures will be discussed in the remainder of this memo. Staffwill also be in attendance at the February
24th Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting to present our proposal in greater detail and answer questions.
The second item to be touched on in this memo is the status of the See-Gwun Avenue Speed Hump
Project. In the spring of 2006 a series of speed humps were installed along See-Gwun Avenue as a test
site per the direction of the Village Board of Trustees. This was done in response to ongoing requests
from residents to address vehicular volume and speeding concerns. After a series of post-studies and
resident feedback, there was agreement from the Village Board of Trustees in the fall of 2007 that the
speed humps would be removed once an alternate traffic calming plan was developed by Staff. However,
a combination of Staffs commitment to the ongoing Neighborhood Traffic Study and an uncertainty of
the direction of traffic calming in the Village, further discussions did not take place in 2008. Now that
Staff has been able to gain greater clarity based on our experience with the Neighborhood Traffic Study,
we will provide our recommended next steps for See-Gwun Avenue in the context of the recommended
traffic calming program.
page 20f7
Neighborhood Traffic Study
February 19, 2009
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And finally, the third item to be discussed is the topic of roll curbed streets with adjoining sidewalk. One
of the concerns raised by residents along the 700 block of See-Gwun Avenue was vehicles driving and
parking on the sidewalk adjoining the 4" tall roll curb. Staff has considered various options to address
this concern and will highlight the benefits and drawbacks. We have also inventoried other similar
situations (roll curb with adjoining sidewalk) in the Village and will share this information.
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Introduction
Most traffic calming programs in the country are set up to be reactive, resident-initiated. That is, a
resident or group of residents petition the local government for traffic calming measures on a particular
street and staff responds to the request. Typically, a process is in place to determine whether the street
qualifies for traffic calming measures and if so what steps must take place in order to receive approval.
Two advantages to this approach are that one: public interest has been generated early on in the process
and two: overstretched staffs' keep the project scope limited to the street in question. However, a major
disadvantage to this approach is that solving one problem on a particular street may have repercussions on
surrounding streets and throughout the neighborhood. That is why a new trend in traffic calming
programs is emerging.
The Neighborhood Traffic Study was set up to review intersection traffic control and speed limits on a
neighborhood-wide basis. This comprehensive approach was done to assure consistent decisions would
be made and the neighborhood as a whole would operate safely. And based on the results of our post-
studies, this neighborhood-wide approach is achieving our goal of improving safety. Along this same line
of thinking, Staff believes establishing a traffic calming program that also involves a neighborhood-wide
approach will best serve the community. Similar to installing a stop sign at one intersection without
giving thought to the impact on the adjacent intersection, constructing traffic calming measures on one
street without considering the impact on the adjacent street(s) may create new problems.
Initial Work
Staff recommends that all local and collector streets under the Village's jurisdiction be eligible for traffic
calming measures but not all will qualify as part of a traffic calming program. This is an important
statement for two reasons. First, it limits traffic calming by street classification. Arterial streets such as
Golf Road and Rand Road are designed to move traffic (though not always the case) and are typically not
under the Village's jurisdiction. Therefore, physical measures to slow down vehicles or limit volume
would not be beneficial or even permitted. Traffic calming on local and collector streets can be
appropriate to enhance livability within a neighborhood and encourage traffic back onto the arterial
system. However, it should be mentioned that not all traffic calming measures are appropriate for both
local and collector streets. For instance, volume reducing measures on collector streets could create
problems on lower classification streets. Each neighborhood street and area needs to be reviewed on a
case-by-case basis for the appropriate traffic calming measure.
The second reason is that it limits traffic calming to the most problematic traffic conditions. Simply
allowing all local and collector streets to be eligible for traffic calming without a qualification process
could potentially be difficult to control. The purpose, however, to allow all streets to be eligible is to
provide Staff an ongoing opportunity to review streets and neighborhoods as traffic conditions may
change in the future. The key to limiting projects and having a successful traffic calming program is to be
able to establish and adhere to guidelines that will focus our attention only on the most critical areas in the
Village. Approving traffic calming measures on any street solely based on request will strain funding and
Staff time, and allow for the proliferation of such measures throughout the Village. Rather, Staff believes
that having guidelines based on a street's known traffic conditions will limit the amount of traffic calming
in town.
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page 3 of7
Neighborhood Traffic Study
February 19,2009
As part of the Neighborhood Traffic Study, Staff has completed all work including multiple post-studies
in four neighborhoods. By the end of 2009 we anticipate completing an additional seven neighborhoods
and by the end of20l0 all work including post-studies should be complete. With the post-studies, Staff is
able to collect average daily traffic, peak hour counts, average speeds, 85th percentile speeds, pedestrian
counts and accident data on the neighborhood streets. It is from this data that we can identify streets that
experience traffic conditions above the norm.
Staff recommends that guidelines be established to determine those streets within our neighborhoods that
qualify for traffic calming. The guidelines would be created based on experience from other communities
as well as our own collected post-study data. With accepted guidelines, Staff would begin to review the
post-study data neighborhood by neighborhood to identify individual streets that would qualify for traffic
calming. From there, we would identify any adjacent streets that may be significantly impacted in order
to create a project area. A project area is not necessarily the entire neighborhood but rather the limits of
potential significant impact. As an example, a cut through issue at one end of a large neighborhood may
have no impact on the traffic conditions at the opposite end. Therefore, the project area may be limited to
the street in question or may also include a few adjacent streets. It is possible then to have multiple
project areas within a single neighborhood.
By the end of this phase, Staffwill go through the entire Village neighborhood by neighborhood using the
post-study data to identify potential project areas. Because of the time frame to complete the post-studies,
Staff would not be able to complete this phase until the end of 2010. However, this initial work could
begin this year and continue as post-studies are completed.
The Process
When the Village receives a traffic complaint and traffic calming maybe a solution, Staff recommends
that we first determine whether the street in question falls within a potential project area. If, for some
reason, Staff believes updated traffic data is necessary then it would be collected and compared to the
established guidelines. Otherwise, we would rely on the latest post-study data. If the street does not
qualify for traffic calming, the Engineering Staff would identify any appropriate minor engineering
solutions such as signage, striping or landscaping trimming (to address a sight obstruction). We would
then notify the resident and refer the issue to the Police Department. Similar to the process today, the
Police Department would schedule an enforcement period as time permits. This would not only include
actual speed limit or stop sign enforcement but use of the radar trailer and a drone vehicle to improve
compliance of the traffic regulations. Education tools such as Keep Kids Alive signs and on-site
conversations with residents are other options that would continue to be offered.
Should the request fall within a potential project area, Staff would next determine whether there was
support from the neighborhood to consider a traffic calming project. This could be done through a
petition form provided by the Village or through a ballot mailing. The petition form or ballot would
indicate the potential traffic calming measure( s) for the area as determined by Staff. One advantage to
this step is that getting public support early in the process should help Staff in working with the
neighborhood to address their concerns. Another advantage is that residents know up-front the traffic
calming measure(s) they are supporting so that Staff can control the scope of the project. If there is
general support based on a pre-determined percentage, Staff would then determine a timetable for review.
If there were multiple petitions received by the Village for different project areas, they would be put into
a queue either by the order they were received or by a ranking system based on the severity of the issue.
The Engineering Staff would next prepare preliminary plans for the project area. Village departments
including Police, Fire and Public Works would next review the plans and provide comments. The plans
would then be refined based on Staff s comments.
page 4 of7
Neighborhood Traffic Study
February 19,2009
The recommended plan would then be presented to the Safety Commission at a regular meeting.
Residents living in the project area would be notified and invited to participate in the meeting. A web
page would also be created on the Village web site to allow residents to view the recommended plan
before the meeting. Staff would present the recommended plan and residents could comment. At the end
of the meeting, the Safety Commission would either vote on the plan or direct Staff to make revisions and
bring it back for further discussion at another meeting.
With a vote by the Safety Commission, the plan would then be presented to the Village Board of
Trustees. Again, residents within the project area would be notified of the meeting. The Village Board
would approve the plan, direct Staff to make revisions and bring it back for further discussion, or deny the
plan with no further action. Should the plan be approved, final construction drawings would be
developed, funds would be allocated, and the project would go to construction per a pre-determined
schedule.
After construction, similar to the Neighborhood Traffic Study, a post-study would be performed to
determine the effect of the traffic calming measures and to determine if any additional action is necessary.
The process as explained above is resident-initiated coupled with a significant amount of up-front work
done by Staff. This allows the Village to regulate the number of potential projects while providing an
avenue for residents to get involved early in the process. Doing this up-front work will also afford Staff
the opportunity to identify a project area that requires immediate attention. Factors including a high
accident rate and/or significantly excessive speeds or volumes may cause Staff to initiate a project rather
than waiting for resident interest. This may require greater Staff effort in generating support at the
beginning of the process but would be necessary if we identify a hazardous condition. The same process
would be undertaken but would be initiated by Staff rather than residents. The advantage of doing the up-
front work and reviewing the entire Village after the traffic post-studies is evident in the flexibility it
allows Staff in pursuing potential traffic calming projects.
Traffic Calming Measures
Each potential project area will have its own unique environment and set of traffic conditions. As a
result, the solution for one area may be different for another area. That is why most communities with a
traffic calming program include a wide variety of measures in their "toolbox". The toolbox does not
guarantee that all measures will be used but rather it provides options that can be considered for each
unique project. The following is a list of traffic calming measures (pictures attached) for consideration.
Some of them will need to be further evaluated to determine whether Staff believes they can physically be
built on our neighborhood streets and whether they are supported by all Village departments.
Horizontal Deflection Measures
. Traffic Circle
. Chicane
Constriction Measures
. Choke Point
. Median / Entry Island
Pedestrian Safety Measures
. Curb Extension
. Pedestrian Refuge
Volume Reducing Measures
. Diverter
page 5 of7
Neighborhood Traffic Study
February 19,2009
· Median Barrier
. Street Closure
. Turn Restriction
Most of the trustees are familiar with these traffic calming measures and, therefore, will not be explained
here. However, each one is briefly explained in the Attachment section at the end of this report. Staff
will also highlight each of these measures in our presentation at the Committee-of-the- Whole Meeting.
One type of traffic calming measure that has not been supported by Staff is vertical deflection measures
such as speed humps and raised crosswalks. They have been omitted from the toolbox because of their
negative impact on emergency vehicle response time and affect on maintenance activities such as snow
plowing and street sweeping. Speed humps can also divert traffic resulting in adjacent streets
experiencing higher traffic volumes. Another concern associated with speed humps is the increased noise
in the vicinity of the measure because of braking and accelerating vehicles. And from an aesthetic
perspective, a speed hump project does not incorporate an ornamental element (i.e., landscaping) which
can detract the look of a neighborhood. All of these concerns were evident in the speed hump project
along See-Gwun Avenue. During the discussion at the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting, Staff
welcomes input from the Village Board of Trustees on the use of speed humps in the Village.
Funding
Funding for the Neighborhood Traffic Study is currently scheduled through the 2010 budget year. This
money has been allocated for consultant studies, post-studies and sign contractor costs. In 2009, much of
the allocated funding will cover these expenses. However, in 2010, only costs associated with consultant
post-studies will be necessary. Therefore, the remainder of this funding could go toward traffic calming
projects should the Village Board desire.
Beyond 2010, a decision will need to be made whether the Village Budget will include funding for traffic
calming projects. And if so, how much on an annual basis? Should we move forward with a traffic
calming program, Staff can monitor resident-initiated and Staff-driven projects in order to recommend
funding amounts to the Village Board.
In addition, Staff will also investigate other funding sources such as the Safe Routes to School program.
This federal program provides grants for engineering projects to enhance safety around schools and
promote walking and biking. Traffic calming projects around schools are eligible.
Next Steps
With feedback from the Village Board at the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting, Staff recommends that a
draft Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program be written. This formal document would articulate the
details of the program including but not limited to goals, objectives, street qualification guidelines, the
process, acceptable measures and funding. After input from various Village departments, it would be
presented and discussed at a Safety Commission Meeting. It would then come before the Village Board
for discussion and, ultimately, adoption. Staff anticipates this could be accomplished by the end of2009.
Status of See-Gwun Avenue Speed Hump Project
It cannot be argued that average speeds on See-Gwun A venue, a collector street, are lower since
installation of the speed humps. 1-3 mph lower average speeds north of Lonnquist Boulevard and 8 mph
lower average speeds south of Lonnquist Boulevard. However, the displacement of 500 vehicles per day
onto adjacent lower classification streets has resulted in new traffic concerns in the neighborhood. The
page 6of7
Neighborhood Traffic Study
February 19, 2009
Village Board has agreed to remove the speed humps but only after an alternate plan is developed by
Staff.
Sign changes in this particular neighborhood as part of the Neighborhood Traffic Study were made in
2008. The final post-study report is not expected until later this fall. Therefore, should Staff consider an
alternate project within the context of a traffic calming program, the earliest construction year would be
2010. And it's possible an alternate plan could include additional streets.
While Staff supports removing the speed humps in 2009 even without an alternate plan in place, we
understand the Village Board's concern with the original traffic conditions potentially returning to the
street. Yet, Staff is hesitant about developing an alternate plan outside the scope of an established traffic
calming program. Therefore, Staff recommends developing an alternate plan this year within the context
of a traffic calming program, presenting it to the residents and Village Board at a public meeting, and
targeting construction in 2010.
Roll Curbed Streets with Adjoining Sidewalk
In previous meetings with See-Gwun Avenue residents, a concern was raised by residents along the 700
block regarding the existing sidewalk that adjoins the curb. Only along this block on See-Gwun Avenue
does the sidewalk adjoin the curb. Residents say vehicles are known to drive and park on the sidewalk
because the 4" tall roll curb is easily mountable. Staff has investigated three options to address this
concern. The following describes these options and their associated advantages and disadvantages. Staff
welcomes the Village Board's input as to how to proceed.
1. Replace with 4" tall barrier curb
Estimated cost: $60,000
Advantages: least expensive; minimum disruption
Disadvantages: may not prevent all vehicles from driving/parking on sidewalk
2. Replace with 6" tall barrier curb
Estimated cost: $140,000
Advantages: taller barrier
Disadvantages: most expensive; potential drainage challenges; greater disruption to parkway
3. Relocate sidewalk off curb (drawing attached)
Estimated cost: $100,000
Advantages: separation between vehicular & pedestrian traffic
Disadvantages: disruption to existing landscaping; sidewalk closer to houses
Staff also inventoried other neighborhood streets within the Village that have sidewalk adjoining roll curb
as well as barrier curb. A majority of the streets with this layout are concentrated in the same
neighborhood as See-Gwun Avenue. There is currently 16,200 feet of sidewalk adjoining roll curb and
5,200 feet of sidewalk adjoining barrier curb on neighborhood streets. At approximately $30 per foot to
replace roll curb with barrier curb at the same existing height, the total estimated cost to do this work is
$500,000. Should the Village Board wish to make it a policy to replace roll curb adjoining sidewalk with
barrier curb when the street is resurfaced as part of the annual resurfacing program, it would take
approximately 15 years to complete given the current condition of the streets in question.
page 70f7
Neighborhood Traffic Study
February 19,2009
Please include this item on the February 24th Village Board Meeting Agenda. Representatives from the
Engineering Division will be in attendance to present these topics and answer questions.
Attachments
Descriptions of Traffic Calming Measures
Drawing of Relocated Sidewalk along See-Gwun Avenue
c: Village Clerk Lisa Angell
h: lengineering\trajJiclca/mingIOl.19.09vb _ memo. doc
Village of Mount Prospect
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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TRAFFIC CIRCLE
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Description
A traffic circle is a raised circular median in an intersection with counterclockwise traffic flow. Vehicles
must change their travel path to maneuver around the circle. They are typically landscaped and have
appropriate signage to safely guide motorists.
Application
. Streets where speed control is desired
. Intersections where there is a high rate of right angle collisions
Advantages
. Reduces vehicle speeds through intersection
. Breaks up sight lines on straight streets
. Landscaping improves aesthetics at intersection
. Can reduce right angle collisions
Disadvantages
. May impede emergency response
. Narrowed travel lanes may cause bicycle / vehicle conflict
. Creates physical obstruction in the travel way
. Requires some on-street parking removal near intersection
. May impede left turns by large vehicles
Variations
. Can include curb extensions
. Can include diverter islands
Special Considerations
. Should be used in series or in conjunction with other traffic calming devices
. Fire Department and Police Department input necessary with design
. Lighting should be provided at intersection
. May require educational campaign and learning period
Cost: High
Village of Mount Prospect
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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CHICANE
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Description
Chicanes create a curved street alignment that is designed to fit in existing rights-of-way. The curvilinear
alignment requires additional maneuvering and reduces motorists' sight line. They can be landscaped and
have appropriate signage or striping to safely guide motorists.
Application
. Streets where speed control is desired
. Straight streets where reduced sight line is desired
Advantages
. Reduces vehicle speeds along street
. Breaks up sight lines on straight streets
. Landscaping improves aesthetics along street
. Minimal impact on emergency response
Disadvantages
. Requires some on-street parking removal
. Snow removal, leaf pick-up, street sweeping more difficult
. Expensive since they are installed in series along street
. Existing driveways and parkway trees may cause difficulty to design
Variations
. Traffic lanes can be narrowed to have greater impact on vehicle speeds
Special Considerations
. Cannot be used where right-of-way is limited
Cost: High
Village of Mount Prospect
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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CHOKE POINT
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Description
A choke point is a segment of street narrowing where existing street edges or curbs are extended toward
the center of the street. They are typically landscaped and have appropriate signage to safely guide
motorists.
Application
. Streets where speed control is desired
. Shorten midblock pedestrian crossings
Advantages
. Narrowed street section may contribute to lower vehicle speeds
. Landscaping improves aesthetics along street
. Minimal impact on emergency response
Disadvantages
. Requires some on-street parking removal
. Snow removal, leaf pick-up, street sweeping more difficult
. Narrowed travel lanes may cause bicycle / vehicle conflict
Variations
. Can include crosswalk at high pedestrian crossing areas
Special Considerations
. Should be used in series or in conjunction with other traffic calming devices
Cost: Moderate to high depending on landscaping and storm sewer adjustments
Village of Mount Prospect
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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MEDIAN / ENTRY ISLAND
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Description
A median / entry island is a raised island in the center of a two-way street. They can identify the entrance
to a residential area when placed near the intersection of an arterial street. They are typically landscaped.
Application
. Streets where speed control is desired
. Define entry to a residential area
Advantages
. Narrowed and deflected street section may contribute to lower vehicle speeds
. Notifies motorists of change in street character
. Landscaping improves aesthetics along street
. Minimal impact on emergency response
. Breaks up sight lines on straight streets
Disadvantages
. Requires some on-street parking removal
. Need for maintenance
. Narrowed travel lanes may cause bicycle / vehicle conflict
. Creates physical obstruction in the travel way
Variations
. Can incorporate neighborhood identification signing and monument
Special Considerations
. Cannot be used on existing narrow streets
. Care must be taken not to create sight obstruction near intersection
Cost: Moderate to high depending on landscaping
Village of Mount Prospect
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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CURB EXTENSION
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Description
A curb extension is a segment of street narrowing at an intersection where existing street edges or curbs
are extended toward the center of the street. They have appropriate signage to safely guide motorists.
Application
. Wide streets with a significant amount of traffic
. Intersections where a significant amount of pedestrians cross the street
Advantages
. Reduces pedestrian crossing distance and time
. Makes pedestrian crossing points more visible to motorists
. Prevents on-street parking near intersection
. Minimal impact on emergency response
Disadvantages
. Snow removal, leaf pick-up, street sweeping more difficult
. Narrowed travel lanes may cause bicycle / vehicle conflict
Variations
. Install on one or both intersecting streets
. Extend edge or curb on one or both sides of streets
Special Considerations
. Should not be used on existing narrow streets
Cost: Moderate to high depending on landscaping and storm sewer adjustments
Village of Mount Prospect
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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PEDESTRIAN REFUGE
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Description
A pedestrian refuge is a raised island in the center of a two-way street. The island has a gap in the curb
creating two segments allowing passage for pedestrians. They mayor may not be landscaped but have
appropriate sign age to safely guide motorists.
Application
. Wide streets with a significant amount of traffic
. Midblock locations where a significant amount of pedestrians cross the street
Advantages
. Allows pedestrians to cross half the street at a time
. Makes pedestrian crossing points more visible to motorists
. Minimal impact on emergency response
Disadvantages
. Requires some on-street parking removal
. Narrowed travel lanes may cause bicycle / vehicle conflict
. Creates physical obstruction in the travel way
Variations
. Use brick or textured pavement as landscaping alternative
Special Considerations ,
. Cannot be used on existing narrow streets
Cost: Moderate to high depending on landscaping
Village of Mount Prospect
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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DlVERTER
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Description
A diverter is a physical barrier that prevents access to specific legs of an intersection. They mayor may
not be landscaped but have appropriate sign age to safely guide motorists.
Application
. Streets where volume control is desired
. Prevent cut through traffic by eliminating entry onto a residential street
Advantages
. Reduces traffic volume on street
. Bicycle and pedestrian access still provided
Disadvantages
. Prohibits or limits access to local homeowners
. Prohibits or limits access to emergency vehicles
. Traffic may shift to an adjacent street or neighborhood
Variations
. Full diagonal diverter bisects an intersection
. Semi-diverter prohibits access into a residential area but allows vehicles to exit
Special Considerations
. Care must be taken not to shift problem to an adjacent street or neighborhood
. Fire Department and Police Department input necessary with design
Cost: Moderate to high depending on landscaping
Village of Mount Prospect
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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MEDIAN BARRIER
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Description
A median barrier is a raised island along the center of a two-way street extending through an intersection
to prevent specific turning movements. They mayor may not be landscaped but have appropriate signage
to safely guide motorists.
Application
. Streets where volume control is desired
. Need to limit cut through traffic by controlling left-turn and side street through movements
Advantages
. Reduces traffic volume on side street
. Reduces potential for collisions at intersection by eliminating left-turns
. Landscaping improves aesthetics along street
. Breaks up sight lines on straight streets
Disadvantages
. Limits access to local homeowners and emergency vehicles
. Increase in V-turns at ends of medians
. May require some on-street parking removal
. Creates physical obstruction in the travel way
. Traffic may shift to an adjacent street or neighborhood
Variations
. Various widths and lengths
Special Considerations
. Care must be taken not to shift problem to an adjacent street or neighborhood
. Fire Department and Police Department input necessary with design
. Important to maintain pedestrian and bicycle access
Cost: Moderate to high depending on design and landscaping
Village of Mount Prospect
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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STREET CLOSURE
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Description
A street closure is a physical barrier across a street eliminating all vehicle access. Appropriate sign age is
used to warn motorists of condition.
Application
. Streets where volume control is desired
. Prevent cut through traffic by eliminating access onto a residential street
Advantages
. Reduces traffic volume on street
. Reduces noise associated with vehicles
Disadvantages
. Prohibits access to local homeowners
. Prohibits access to emergency vehicles
. Traffic may shift to an adjacent street or neighborhood
Variations
. Midblock closure creating a dead-end street
Special Considerations
. Care must be taken not to shift problem to an adjacent street or neighborhood
. Fire Department and Police Department input necessary with design
. Important to maintain pedestrian and bicycle access
Cost: Moderate
Village of Mount Prospect
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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TURN RESTRICTION
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Description
A turn restriction limits or prohibits specific turning movements by way of signage.
Application
. Streets where volume control is desired
. Prevent cut through traffic by eliminating access onto a residential street
Advantages
. Reduces traffic volume on street
. Inexpensive to install
. Can be tailored to be time of day and day of week specific
Disadvantages
. Limits access to local homeowners
. Requires enforcement since no physical barrier
. Traffic may shift to an adjacent street or neighborhood
Variations
. Can use striping, pavement markings and/or a physical barrier to emphasize turn restriction
Special Considerations
. Care must be taken not to shift problem to an adjacent street or neighborhood
Cost: Low
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LONNQUIST BLVD