The following offers a review of some of the most successful traffic-calming programs offered by U.S. cities. We hope it provides useful information for those looking to implement similar programs in their own neighborhoods.

An example: Portland, OR

City funded traffic-calming projects are often broken down into several categories based upon the level of hazard and the type of street being considered. The following offers details of programs created for local service streets, neighborhood collector streets, and elementary school zones. We also offer examples of city-funded programs and citizen-pay programs.

Local service streets are typically low volume residential streets that provide access to homes and local businesses. Neighborhood Collector Street are usually identified as those that connect major traffic streets to other streets (through-streets). Neighborhood collector streets are also used as emergency vehicle routes and provide access to neighborhood activity centers.

The information below provides an example of how one city, Portland, Oregon, modeled its neighborhood traffic-calming programs.

1. Citizen calls police traffic division

2. Police visits to enforce traffic speeds - at least 3 times for problem areas.

3. If problem persists police can refer the street to the city's traffic safety division (TSD) for Evaluation (number of possible referrals/year based on budget). City may offer City Funded Options for those streets that are not referred.

4. TSD evaluates and assigns street a score base on two elements: Qualification and Selection. The highest scores receive highest priority.

5. Any project with a qualification score under 40 are no longer considered. Those with a score of 40 or more proceed to the Selection Scoring procedure. Your combined score is then compared to other traffic calming projects being evaluated. Highest scores are given a higher priority rank. Other issues are also taken into consideration including project size and complexity, available budget, compatibility with other transportation projects.

6. TSD proposes the project to the neighborhood. All households and businesses along the effected streets are given a survey to complete. A project is undertaken only if 30% of surveys are returned AND a majority are in favor of implementing traffic calming options.

7. TSD holds three public meetings where traffic calming options are discussed, evaluated and chosen.

8. In some cases temporary testing is conducted to ensure traffic calming methods don’t simply shift problem to other local service streets. A petition-to-test is sent to all households and businesses involved. A majority must sign the petition in order for test to proceed. Tests are conducted for a minimum of 3 months.

9. Once the public meetings are held and any testing is complete, TSD holds an open house to present details of the proposed traffic calming plan. Ballots are given to all residents and businesses that may be effected. Majority rules.

(Reaching this point in the process typically requires about 13 months. Add another 9 months if testing is required.)

10. Ballot approvals move to the City Council. A public hearing is held. City Council decides whether or not to grant approval.

11. If approved by City Council, the city begins design and construction of traffic calming devices. Simple solutions like speed bumps take about 6 months to complete. More complex designs may take a year or more.

12. Around six months after construction is complete, TSD evaluates the effects of the project.

1. Individual calls his/her city's traffic safety division (TSD) and ask for a Neighborhood Collector Street Evaluation.

2. TSD conducts a project selection analysis and develops a score based upon current traffic speed, volume and residential density. Projects are selected among those with the highest score.

3. TSD sends out information to all households and businesses within the project area. Each household and business is asked to fill out a survey asking for their opinions regarding traffic conditions on the street and whether or not they are in support of implementing new traffic calming methods. Project will proceed only if 30 percent or more of the surveys are completed and a majority are in favor of further action.

4. Four public meetings are held to review information, discuss options and agree upon a specific plan of action. An open house is held for everyone in the project area and others that might be effected.

5. Both residents and nonresident property owners are given ballots asking if they favor the project. A majority of ballots must be in favor of the project for it to proceed.

6. If the ballot passes, TSD prepares a report and recommendations for City Council action. A public hearing is held to decide on approval (expect approximately one year to have passed since initial steps taken).

7. TSD begins construction of traffic calming devices (requires 6 months to a year).

8. TSD returns to evaluate the effects of the project.