Paid for by Lisa Mellone and Steve Mellone, Treasurer

 

Traffic Calming:  Is this right for Brookfield?

 

             The number one complaint I receive from constituents is speeding traffic on residential streets.  These complaints are followed with multiple requests for additional Stop Signs.  Unfortunately, this is not a solution because 1) Stop Signs have been proven to be ineffective and 2) certain standards must be met in order to install a Stop Sign per city policy. 

             I feel the criteria that is used to determine if an intersection warrants a traffic control sign is inadequate.  Engineering believes that if the data doesn’t support a control than there is not a real problem, it is only a perceived problem.  Personally, I feel perceptions mean a great deal, and if tax paying residents don’t feel safe on their residential road than we as a city need to address this issue regardless of the data.

             Because I have had so many requests for stop signs throughout the district and the data rarely supports an official need for control, I proposed to the Council in August of 2006 that city staff research traffic calming techniques for possible implementation on our residential roads.  That idea was supported unanimously to be included in our Strategic Initiatives for 2006-08, and I continue to urge staff to forge ahead.   Unfortunately, this initiative is struggling to get off the ground.  The city recently hired a consultant who will present their findings in early spring of ‘08.

             The city engineer and myself attended a conference on traffic calming in Madison in September of 2006. A few examples of Traffic Calming are traffic circles or dots (as opposed to roundabouts, these are small in diameter, just enough to cause motorists to slow and alter their path), chicanes, entry treatments to neighborhoods, curb extensions, slow points, raised intersections, changes in road texture, and speed tables.  Also included in a Traffic Calming Program would be an educational element to encourage change in driver behavior.  Some examples could be Neighborhood Speed Watches and Newsletters, the use of Radar Dolly’s and Trailers, and Speed Reduction Programs.

             The possibilities are endless and I will update you as more develops on this initiative.  Unfortunately, this initiative is struggling to get off the ground.  The city recently hired a consultant who will present their findings in early spring of ‘08.  However, please be mindful that most initiatives have a financial cost and the Council will need to determine whether the benefit outweighs the cost.  Please feel free to call me if you have questions, ideas, concerns, or comments regarding this proposal.

 

Traffic Calming Defined: 

The combination of mainly physical measures that reduces the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter drive behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street use.

 

The following information is found on the WiDOT web site:

Traffic calming road design

Traffic calming originated in Europe about 30 years ago; however, it is still relatively new to many areas of Wisconsin and the United States. Traffic-calming measures are intended to calm (or slow) traffic. They're used primarily as a safety measure on low volume, low speed roadways and generally not applicable to the State Trunk Highway system.

Traffic calming can involve physical "changes" to the roadway that slow traffic down. Some examples:

· Speed humps

· Pedestrian crosswalks

· Textured roadway surfaces

· One-way streets

· Stop signs

· Signal phasing

· Street closures

· Lane striping

· Vegetation plantings

Many cities and towns require 80-90% of the community to endorse the traffic calming measure before they are put in. Speed humps are popular but require coordination with emergency response providers to minimize their effect on emergency response times. Maintenance crews must also know their location and specifications on how to maintain them - especially where snow removal is a factor.