A substantial number of U.S. cities are finding that budget constraints are forcing them to discontinue city-funded traffic-calming programs offered in the past. As an alternative, a growing number of these cities are offering neighborhood-funded programs that provide ways for individuals or groups to pay for they improvements. In some cities, individual-funding options are also available for those who are willing to personally pay for traffic-calming solutions when they find their street has ranked low on their city's priority list.

In 2005, a single asphalt speedbump costs approximately $1,500 to $3,000 to construct. A single project may require multiple speedbumps. Sometimes other construction devices, such as islands for split speedbumps may cost an addition $5,000 or more. One West Coast city offers two payment options to neighborhoods that choose to pursue the city's Speedbump Purchase Program:

Permit Process - 50 percent of the project cost is due before project plans are completed. The remaining 50 percent is due before construction begins. Individual property owners on the effected street are not required to pay an equal share of the cost.

Local Improvement District (LID) Process -- In this case, the City Council approves the formation of an LID. This is an arrangement through the City Auditor where each and every property owner on the effected street is assessed their equal portion of the cost. 25 percent of the costs incurred by city's Traffic Safety Division (TSD) up to the formation of the LID is due before construction of the speedbump begins. Once construction is completed, property owners work agree upon a 5-year or 10-year payment plan. Assessment fees and interest are added to the final cost.

Here are the procedures the city put in to place for each option:

1. A property owner calls the city's traffic safety division (TSD) requesting a street evaluation.

2. TSD notifies neighborhood that their street doesn’t rank high enough for a city funded program.

3. All neighbors decide they want to pursue the residential speedbump purchase program.

4. TSD prepares a preliminary project design.

5. An open house is held to share plans and information including the cost and the property owner’s financial responsibility if they decide to proceed.

6. Property owners are given a petition to sign that approves the plan and financial agreement. At least two- thirds of the property owners on the street must sign the petition. The neighborhood is responsible for circulating the petition. They have four weeks to submit the completed petition.

7. Property owners return and submit the completed petition along with a deposit of 50 percent of the estimated project costs. TSD completes the project design.

8. Final plans are presented at a second open house. Input from attendees may result in additional minor changes being made to the project plan.

9. Property owners deposit the remaining 50 percent of the cost for the project. The property owners are responsible for collecting the money, and determining the payment terms for each individual property owner. It is not necessary that all property owners contribute equally to the costs or that they contribute anything at all. Terms are decided among the property owners themselves. Once the second payment is received, construction of speedbump begins.

10. Six months after construction is completed, an evaluation of the effect of the speedbump is made.

1. A property owner calls the city's traffic safety division (TSD) requesting a street evaluation.

2. TSD notifies neighborhood that their street doesn’t rank high enough for a city funded program.

3. Neighbors inform TSD that they would like to pursue the speedbump purchase option. An open house is scheduled.

4. TSD prepares a preliminary project design and presents it at an Open House meeting. The costs for the project and other project-related information is presented.

5. Property owners are given a petition to sign that approves the plan and financial agreement. At least two-thirds of the property owners on the street must sign the petition. The neighborhood is responsible for circulating the petition. They have four weeks to submit the completed petition.

6. Property owners return and submit the completed petition along with a deposit of 25 percent of the costs incurred by TSD through the formation of the LID (Local Improvement District). The petition is filed with the City Auditor.

7. The LID goes to the City Council for a hearing. City Council forms the LID and authorizes project construction.

8. TSD completes the final design and holds a second Open House to share plans.

9. Construction begins. Upon completion of the speedbump, a final bill is presented to the property owners. Each property owner must pay their share of the total cost. The Auditor’s Office works with each property owner to determine a suitable payment plan. Options include a 5-year, or a 10-year payment schedule or can pay their complete balance at any time. An assessment fee and interest are applied to the balance.

10. Six months after construction is completed, an evaluation of the effect of the speedbump is made.