ACT  HOME                         ACT                

                                                     Advocates for Calm Traffic 

                                                                Norwalk, Connecticut

  

                                                              

Traffic Calming Guidelines for Norwalk

 

The following criteria are in use by our Public Works Department (DPW) -- and were influenced by the South Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA)) Traffic Calming Guidelines.  The entire Traffic Calming Toolbox that was developed by SWRPA in 1998 is available for reference at the DPW office at City Hall.

 

Click here for the March 18, 2002 ACT Report to the Police Commission

 

TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES

 

Speed reduction

enforcement, public awareness, speed bumps, entrance treatments, pavement treatment

Volume Reduction

diverters, cul-de-sac, choke points, one way operation

Pedestrian Safety

pedestrian refuges, curb extensions, raised crosswalks

 

SPEED BUMP CRITERIA     

 

Speed bumps are rounded raised areas of pavement typically 12 to 14 feet in length with a height of 3 inches, placed

           in a series and spaced 250 to 600 feet apart.

Speed bumps are to be considered only after traffic studies are done to document traffic volumes and speeds. Streets

           that experience significant "cut-thru" traffic will receive priority for speed bumps. Dead end roads generally would not

           warrant speed bumps.

Streets under consideration will generally be local residential streets with average daily traffic volume of 3000 vehicles

          or less. Installation may be warranted on higher volume streets with special justification. Collector Streets that are not

          designated on the Emergency Response Route Map may be considered.

Streets are to have no more than two travel lanes, with a width of less than 40 feet and road grades of less than 8

          percent approaching the speed bump.

Speed bumps should be installed only where the minimum safe stopping sight distance can be provided. Bumps are

          to be avoided in horizontal curves of less than 300 feet centerline radius.

Neighborhood support is required with no less than two-thirds (66%) majority of the residents in favor of the speed

          bumps.

Streets that would not qualify for installation of speed bumps with city funding due to low traffic volumes may petition

          the city to install speed bumps under the Freeholders Procedure. The residents would be assessed the cost of the

          work which would be included in the tax bill in the year following the installation.

 

 Slow Down!

 

The DPW currently has funds in its budget for traffic calming measures.  Speed bumps are no longer the main focus when considering traffic calming measures.  A multi-pronged approach is now considered.

 

 

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