The City of Toledo uses a number of devices intended to slow traffic, especially in residential areas. Concerned residents are encouraged to work with the Division of Traffic Management to find effective traffic calming solutions.
Process
Residents may collect petition signatures to initiate a traffic study. When 35% of the residents sign the petition, then the City will collect and review data including:
- traffic volume
- traffic speed
- 3-5 years of crash history
- parking
- existing roadway geometrics
Following the data collection and analysis, the Division of Traffic Management will decide which traffic calming device will work best for the road(s) connected to the petition and traffic study.
If the conditions are met for one of the City's traffic calming devices, the Division of Traffic Management will send a survey to the residents on the qualifying street. 50% of households must respond to the survey and 70% of those responses must be in favor of the selected traffic calming solution.
Once a decision is made and funding is available, residents will see the changes implemented on their street. Sometimes, we may install temporary devices while we wait for more funding.
Traffic Calming Devices
Chicane
Chicanes are a series of two or three curb extensions, placed on alternating sides of the street and staggered to create a curved, one lane segment of road. Chicanes help reduce speeds by requiring motorists to maneuver through the curves, one vehicle at a time, requiring motorists to yield to each other.
Curb Extension
Curb extensions, or chokers, narrow a street by extending the sidewalk or grass area, creating a pinch point along the street. This can be done at the intersection or mid-block. For best results, the width of the travel way should not be wide enough for two cars to pass, requiring motorists to yield to each other.
Curb Realignment
This option narrows the width of the road and can be reserved for roads that already have a construction scheduled. Roads considered for this option must be wider than traditional residential roads and/or low street parking use.
Residential Traffic Circle
Traffic circles are raised islands in the middle of an intersection on a residential street. Much smaller than a roundabout, traffic circles similarly encourage motorists to slow through their turns.
Speed Hump
These long, rounded humps span the roadway width. Traffic volumes must be approximately 1,500 vehicles per day and 85% speed shall meet or exceed 35 mph to qualify for this traffic calming solution.
Diverter
A diverter is an island built across a residential street intersection which prevents certain through and/or turning movements. Diverters affect people living in the neighborhood more than anyone else. Therefore, diverters should be considered when less restrictive measures are not appropriate.
Raised Crosswalk
A speed table, or raised crosswalk, is a mid-block traffic calming device that raises the entire wheelbase of a vehicle to reduce its travel speed. They are longer than a speed hump and flat on top and may be combined with a curb extension.
Street Trees
Street trees help create a “closed in” feeling along the street, causing motorists to slow down. They also provide other benefits, such as beautifying the area, providing shade for sidewalks and cooling the neighborhood in the summer.
Speed Feedback Sign
Speed feedback signs digitally display the speed of a motorist as they drive past the sign. These signs are accompanied by speed limit signs so that drivers can see how their speed compares to the speed limit.
High Visibility Enforcement
High visibility enforcement involves officers stationed in a specific area to educate and train drivers. The public is alerted in advance (through the media) of where and when high visibility enforcement will take place. The officers do not focus on writing tickets, but instead focus on making drivers aware of safety issues.