city of vancouver neighborhood trafﬁc calming program · a basic level of safety and need...

City of Vancouver Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program 2015

To request other formats, please contact:

Jennifer Campos/Community & Economic Development 360-487-7728 | WA Relay: 711 [email protected]

Program Contacts

2015 program approved by the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance on January 20, 2015. Program originally endorsed by the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance on November 20, 2012 and endorsed and initiated by the City of Vancouver in January, 2013. Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance Ross Montgomery Chair 360-281-9948 [email protected] www.cityofvancouver.us/NTSA City of Vancouver Brooke Porter Outreach Coordinator Public Works Department PO Box 1995 Vancouver, WA 98668-1995 360-487-7116 [email protected] Jennifer Campos Senior Planner Community and Economic Development PO Box 1995 Vancouver, WA 98668-1995 360-487-7728 [email protected] City staff are available to assist project proponents in determining the most appropriate traffic calming tools for their traffic concerns and can provide information and guidance on how to move a proposed project through the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program process.

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2015 Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program | City of Vancouver, Washington

The issue of motor vehicle traffic speed and volume affects the livability and safety of neighborhoods throughout Vancouver. To improve the existing quality of life and meet future needs, a citywide approach to neighborhood traffic management is needed to sustain the operation of streets at the speed and volume that meet their designated function. The focus of this program is to address high priority needs within the community that have documented speed or traffic issues.

Working in partnership with the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance (NTSA), the City of Vancouver has developed a traffic calming program to address the on-going needs of neighborhoods who want to create a more walkable and livable community. Both the City of Vancouver and the NTSA are looking to neighborhoods to become more actively involved in the traffic calming project process and to truly become project champions.

The City of Vancouver and the NTSA want to provide residents the opportunity to utilize traffic calming tools that will strengthen community relationships and continue long into the future after the project is complete. It is intended that projects completed under this program will be cost efficient, low maintenance, long-lasting improvements that directly address identified speed or traffic concerns. Working together, the NTSA, the City, neighborhoods, and residents will create successful projects that continue to enhance the livability of this community.

City of Vancouver 2015 Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program In Partnership with the Vancouver Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance (NTSA)

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Traffic Calming Program Process Overview The process outlined in this document lays the groundwork for making sure projects that reach the final prioritization process are 1) well supported by the community and 2) meet a basic level of safety and need criteria. Safety is a top priority for the City of Vancouver; through this program, it will develop projects that continue to meet the needs of the community.

The anticipated funding for the 2015 Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program will be available through a combination of City of Vancouver general fund revenue ($60K) and Real Estate Excise Tax ($110K) providing a total approximate annual budget of $170,000. Please note that the funding allocations from the Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) can vary (increase or decrease) each year due to current economic conditions. 5The City may adjust the program funding level as needed to accommodate funding fluctuations.

For 2015, the traffic calming program will create two project tracks: 1) project proposals that only contain signing and striping elements; and 2) projects that include a physical traffic calming device such as speed cushions, pedestrian refuge islands, radar feedback signs, street trees or curb extensions. Each project track will be working on a separate timeline and will have its own funding allocation — approximately 75% of the funds ($127,500) will be for traffic calming device projects and 25% for signing and striping projects ($42,500).

Signing and striping projects will be evaluated and awarded during the first part of the year with implementation during the summer and fall of 2015. They will not be required to meet speed or volume thresholds in order to be considered for the program. In most cases they will not be required to follow the petition process unless City staff determines the project has significant impacts to the surrounding area to warrant the petition process.

Traffic calming device projects will be evaluated and awarded in the last half of the year with implementation occurring in mid-2016. They will be required to meet speed and volume thresholds and will be required to follow the petition process unless City staff determines the project impacts are not significant enough to warrant the petition process.

For a traffic calming project to be considered for funding through the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming program, the project proponent will need to work closely with the NTSA and City staff to take the project through the process outlined in the following pages. The City will allow applications only one time a year so it is important that project proponents closely follow the schedule below to ensure their project is considered for all phases. The table on the next page outlines the different steps in the traffic calming program and the amount of estimated time for each element. Many of the steps run concurrently so the timelines shown should not be considered a cumulative timeline from the beginning to the end of the process.

Process Overview

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Program Steps

Traffic Calming Program Steps 1) Attend a Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance Meeting and Present Traffic Issues

The first step in proposing a traffic calming project is to attend a Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance (NTSA) meeting and make a brief presentation that provides information on the problem and proposed solution. This will provide the opportunity to share concerns and project information with other Vancouver neighborhood leaders who may be able to offer additional input or advice.

Residents must contact the NTSA chair to confirm their meeting attendance and explain general traffic concerns. The NTSA chair will then be able to provide an overview of the type of information that needs to be presented to the NTSA, including site photos, traffic issue or concern needing to be addressed and proposed project solution. Meeting dates for the NTSA and contact information can be found online: www.cityofvancouver.us/NTSA.

2) Create a ZoomGrants Profile

In 2015 the City will be utilizing an on-line grant management program called ZoomGrants to assist with the traffic calming program administration. ZoomGrants will allow project champions the opportunity to submit all documents electronically to the City through a more direct and efficient system. It also streamlines the project evaluation process for both the City and the NTSA project review committee.

In order for a project to move forward in either the signing and striping or the traffic calming device/activated device programs, project champions must first create a profile in ZoomGrants. Once this simple step is completed, project pre-applications, applications and supporting documents can be submitted to the City. Links to the ZoomGrants traffic calming programs can be found here: www.cityofvancouver.us/TrafficCalmingProgram. Hard copies or electronic versions of the pre-application and application can be made available to project champions if they are unable to utilize the on-line grant program.

3) Submit a Project Pre-application

Once a project proponent has attended a NTSA meeting to present their project and created a ZoomGrants profile, the next step in the process is to submit a project pre-application (if required). Pre-applications for traffic calming devices and/or activated sign will only be accepted if a project proponent has attended a NTSA meeting. Signing and striping projects will not be required to submit project pre-applications. The form will be used to gather information on the proposed location to aid in the review of the project.

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4) Internal Project Review Meeting

City staff will be responsible for completing the review and evaluation process within two months after a project is presented to the NTSA to determine if the project meets the intent of the program and is an appropriate solution to the traffic concern. The review will also allow staff the opportunity to refine the project design details if needed. Staff from the City’s Public Works Department (including the City’s Traffic Engineer), Fire Department, Office of Neighborhoods, City Manager’s Office and Police Department will be involved in the project review.

This review is necessary as some traffic calming projects could have elements that might impact traffic flow and emergency response. Projects will need to be vetted to ensure that they do not have any negative impacts on fire or police emergency response. A project not approved by City Police or Fire Departments will not be eligible for implementation. The project proponent may be provided the opportunity to revise their proposal or they may have to wait until the following year to resubmit a different project.

If during the initial threshold review, the City finds that the location has identifiable safety issues, the proposed project may be moved onto a quicker project implementation timeline. To better address and prioritize immediate safety concerns, the City may also utilize program resources to analyze and find solutions for locations that have specific documented safety issues.

While the City will accept applications for arterial roadways, there are limits to what type of traffic calming tool may be used, especially for primary and minor arterials. These are noted in the traffic calming toolbox at the end of this document. If a project is being proposed on an arterial roadway, the City will work with the project proponent to determine which traffic calming tools are applicable and provide alternative treatments if the original project proposal is not appropriate.

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Program Steps

5) Speed/Volume Threshold Review

Once a project has been approved to move forward in the program by City staff after the initial project review, speed and volume counts will then be completed for applicable projects. Only projects that have an in-road, physical, traffic calming device or an activated signage component will be required to meet speed and volume thresholds. These types of projects include speed humps, speed cushions, traffic circles, radar feedback sign/school zone sign, curb extensions, raised crosswalks, chokers, medians and islands. Physical infrastructure projects must meet minimum thresholds for both speed and volume, and there are different thresholds for arterial streets and local streets. Table 2 shows the minimum requirements.

Table 2: Thresholds for Speeds and Volumes*

*Projects that only include signing and striping elements will not be required to meet the speed and volume thresholds

The City will try to conduct traffic counts while local schools are still in session, and the program deadlines have been set to with this goal in mind. The City uses pneumatic hose counters that are placed out for 72 hours in the vicinity of the location identified by the project proponent. City staff uses engineering judgment as to the specific placement of the counters; counters are typically deployed from Tuesday through Thursday as these are the days of the week that have been shown to have the most consistent traffic patterns. The results will be made available to the project proponent once the counts are completed.

City staff will be responsible for contacting each project proponent to let them know if the project meets the program thresholds and will be continuing on in the process. If a project meets the minimum requirements, then it will move on to the next step in the process. If a project does not meet the minimum threshold requirements, the NTSA will work with the individual and/or residents to discuss other options that are identified in the traffic calming toolbox that are not infrastructure-related. In most cases, if a project is revised to only include signing and striping elements, it will have to be submitted in the following year’s program cycle.

Street Category Speed Volume

Arterials 10% or more of vehicles traveling 10 mph or more above posted speed

> 1,500 vehicles per day

Local Streets 85% speed > 30 mph > 500 vehicles per day

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6) Neighborhood Petition Process

If a traffic calming device project meets the thresholds for speed and volume, the next step in the process is to initiate the petition process, as determined by City staff. In most cases petitions will only be required if the project includes infrastructure improvements such as speed cushions, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, radar feedback signs, and school zone signs. A neighborhood or an individual must complete this step before a project will be considered for funding to ensure that there is enough project support for actual implementation.

City staff will assist the project proponent by identifying the project impact area for the petition process. The proponent will then have two options for carrying out the petition process: 1) City staff can mail a postcard with a tear-off, self-stamped petition postcard or 2) project proponents can choose to contact property owners/residents on their own. If project proponents choose to move forward on their own, City staff can provide a petition template and property site address information. The project proponent will need to commit to making a good-faith effort to contact all of the property owner/residents in the project impact area.

A simple majority of support by property owners in the identified project impact area is required for a project to be considered in the program. Only one signature per address is required and any additional signatures from a single address will not be considered. Signatures can be from either the property owner or current renter; if it is a business, the property owner or current tenant will be accepted. In cases where signatures are received from both a renter and the property owner, the City will consider the property owner’s petition in lieu of the renter’s.

If a project meets the simple majority requirement, it will then be able to move on to the next step. If a project does not receive enough supportive signatures to meet the simple majority requirement, the project will not move forward in the process. The City will then work with the project proponent regarding next steps to address their traffic issue or concern. The petition process cannot be repeated until a year after the original petition date. If a second process is started the project proponent will need to start over with a new petition. The City will generally allow a petition process only two times within a five year period – so if the project again fails to meet the simple majority requirement, the project will generally not be considered until that five year window is over.

There might be instances when the City may choose to repeat the petition process depending on the complexity of the project. Types of project that may have a second petition process will most likely involve project elements such as speed cushions, speed humps and refuge islands. If a decision is made to repeat the process, the City will be responsible for mailing the petitions and contacting the property owners and residents. The project proponent may help in the process if desired.

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7) On-line Application Submission

The City of Vancouver has developed an on-line application that project proponents are required to fill out for their project to be considered in the next phase of the process. The application will be available on-line all year round at www.cityofvancouver.us/TrafficCalmingProgram, but will only be accepted if the project has been taken through the previous steps.

If for some reason project proponents are unable to fill out the on-line application form, the City may be able to provide hard copies in special circumstances. For projects that include a traffic calming device and/or activated sign component, the project proponents will be invited to attend the October NTSA meeting to make a final project presentation. The NTSA chair will contact project proponents to let them know when the meeting will be held and what will need to be included in their presentation.

8) City of Vancouver Project Ranking

Once the on-line applications are received, City staff will review applications to ensure the information is complete and accurate. The City will then have one month to evaluate and rank the projects based on the set of criteria outlined below. These project scores will later be combined with the scores from the NTSA project review panel process to develop a prioritized list of projects. The criteria and their associated points are shown below in Table 3:

Program Steps

Criteria Maximum

Points Basis for Scoring

Speed 25* (85% speed – posted speed) x 2 pts.

Volume 10* 1 pt. for every 200 vehicles per day

Sidewalks 10 10 pts. no sidewalk, 5 pts. sidewalks on 1 side, 0 pts. sidewalks on both sides

Bike Lanes 5 5 pts. if no bike lanes

Vicinity to School 10 5 pts. for each school within ¼ mile of project area

School Walk Route 10 10 pts. if project is along a school walk route

Transit/ School Bus Stops 10 5 pts. if bus stops within ¼ of a mile from project area

Collisions 20 10 pts. Per collision related to traffic concern in the last 3 years

*Projects that only include signing and striping elements will not be evaluated for the speed and volume criteria. An adjustment factor will be used for signing and striping projects to be consistent with the 100 point total for traffic calming device projects.

Table 3: City of Vancouver Project Evaluation Criteria

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9) NTSA Project Ranking

The NTSA project review will occur either in conjunction with or just following the City’s project review and ranking. Every year, the NTSA will assign a project ranking panel that will consist of no fewer than three (3) members with panelists being a primary or alternate representative of a member neighborhood association in good standing with the NTSA. The panelists will be nominated and elected by representatives of NTSA members in good standing and alternates will identified in the same manner in case a panelist resigns or is unable to perform their duties. Panelists will be barred from ranking projects located within their own neighborhoods.

The NTSA panel will have approximately one month to review and score projects. Individual panelists are not allowed to share their point scores with other panelists and will be required to submit their scores to the City the Monday prior to the NTSA meeting where the project rankings will be presented. Listed below are the criteria that the NTSA project review panel will be using, with 60 points being the maximum score:

How well is the problem explained, documented, and observable? (10 pts.)

From the current tools available in the traffic calming toolbox, how well do the project’s components address the traffic issue in the short term and long term? (10 pts.)

Who (such as pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and property owners) will benefit from the project? What specific individuals, if any, have been identified who would benefit from the project? (10 pts.)

How strongly have the general neighborhood and adjacent residents/property owners demonstrated support for the project? Is the project supported in the Neighborhood Action Plan or some other plan/study? Has the project received recent endorsements from area organizations such as neighborhood associations, service organizations, schools, etc.? (10 pts.)

In comparison with the other projects in the same funding category (striping/signage or traffic calming device/activated sign), how high is the priority for this project? (20 pts.)

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Program Steps

10) Project Prioritization and Selection

When all scores from the NTSA Project Review Panel have been submitted, they will be combined with the City's scores to prioritize the projects based on the total City and NTSA scores. Upon acceptance of the combined scores by the NTSA, the prioritized project list will then be matched up with available funding to determine how many projects will receive funding. In most cases, not all projects will be chosen as there is a limited amount of funding for the City’s traffic calming program.

Following the project prioritization and funding allocation process, the City will then move forward with implementing those projects chosen for funding. Projects that are not selected due to funding restraints may be rolled over into the next year’s project selection process. If it is not funded within those two cycles, the project will be removed from the list. Additional projects may be funded beyond the final project list if supplementary funding is made available to the program or a surplus of funds remain after the initial projects are constructed.

11) Project Implementation

Once the final project list is approved, City staff will meet with each of the project proponents to review design elements. City staff will develop design plans for each project while keeping the project proponent informed of the design as it progresses to its final stages. When the designs are 90% complete, the City will share this with the project proponent and neighborhood leadership if applicable to ensure the original goal of the project is being met. Any feedback received through this review will be used to make final edits and changes to the design plans. The City will then schedule the projects into the next year’s construction timeline for implementation.

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Tool

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Tool Example Description Implementation

Conceptual Cost

Speed Cushions*

Similar to a speed hump, but it is broken into two or three pieces to allow buses or emergency vehicles with larger wheel bases to pass over without impact.

(Example: Evergreen Blvd., west of Blandford)

Requires approval from City Traffic Engineer and completion of petition process.

$5,000 - $15,000

Curb Extensions

A curb extension extends out the roadway at an intersection or occasionally at a mid-block location with the purpose of narrowing the roadway.

(Example: 39th St. & Kauffman Ave.)

Requires approval from City Traffic Engineer.

$15,000 - $30,000

Pedestrian Refuge Islands/Medians/Entry Treatments

Physical devices placed in the middle of the roadway that typically provide landscaping opportunities.

(Example: NE 97th Ave. and NE 14th St.)


$15,000 - $20,000

Speed Radar Sign/School Zone Sign

A set of two permanent signs that either provide radar speed feedback or school zone 20 MPH speed information.

(Example: W 39th Street; SE 1st Street at Shahala Middle School)

Requires approval from City Traffic Engineer. Only one set of signs will be allowed per year. School zone signs must have approval from school district.

$50,00 -$60,000

Street Trees Adds trees to planter strips to visually narrow the roadway. Can be used in conjunction with other elements such as choker or curb extensions.

Typically involves working with Friends of Trees to coordinate tree plantings.

$1,000 - $5,000

Raised Crosswalk*

Speed hump that can be used in very limited circumstances for school crossings.

Example: McLoughlin Blvd., near Hough Elementary School)

Requires approval from City Traffic Engineer and completion of petition process

$10,000 - $15,000

Traffic Calming Device/Activated Sign

* not eligible on principal and minor arterials

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Tool Box Tool Example Description Implementation

Conceptual Cost

Crosswalks Adding ladder crosswalks to intersections or mid-block crossings.

(Example: Fruit Valley Road and Firestone Lane)

Requires approval from City Traffic Engineer. Curb ramps must be in place for crosswalks to be striped.

$5,000 - $10,000

Roadway Striping

Adding lines, stencils, or raised pavement markers to add bike lanes, center lines, fog lines or other markings to narrow the roadway and provide improved safety for walkers and bicyclists.

(Example: SE 20th St., from SE 176th to 192nd avenues)


$1,000 - $15,000

Signs Signs can be added that supplement already existing conditions such as a school, yield, park, bicycle or pedestrian crossing, or possibly to remind drivers of the existing speed limit.

(Stop signs are not eligible)

Requires approval from City Traffic Engineer. Stop signs will not be considered under this program.

$1,000 - $1,500

Street Murals

Neighborhood or residents create a design to be painted in an intersection. Can be used in conjunction with other elements.

(Example: F Street and 31st Street)


$500- $700

Street Trees Adds trees to planter strips to visually narrow the roadway. Can be used in conjunction with other elements such as choker or curb extensions.

Typically involves working with Friends of Trees to coordinate tree plantings.

$1,000 - $5,000

Signing and Striping

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