"For neighborhoods, traffic calming measures should begin with an assessment of the problem that identifies the sources of the problem and includes neighborhood participation. All efforts should be made to keep through traffic off local streets, and traffic calming techniques will help. Though residential collector and major streets will carry substantial amounts of through traffic, the city can enhance both the safety and the quality of residential life on these streets. Traffic calming improvements can soften the traffic-residential conflict on collector or major streets. Some traffic mobility is lost but the quality of residential life is improved."
Excerpts from the Burlington Municipal Development Plan and the 2011 Burlington Transportation Plan, Street Design Guidelines
Streets are public places for many activities and functions. The prime function of residential streets is to serve the land that abuts them -- providing access to home while serving as travel routes for those who wish only to pass through an area. Conflict arises between the presence of moving vehicles and the quiet of a residential street.
The design of the street network has a great influence on the livability, vitality and character of Burlington. Growth in Burlington and the surrounding region coupled with overall growth in automobile ownership and vehicle miles traveled, have seen attendant growth in traffic volume, speed and congestion. Due to these various circumstances, many residents feel that their neighborhoods have become overwhelmed with speeding and cut-through traffic that erodes their quality of life.
RESOURCES
PROGRAM CONTACT
Nicole Losch
865.5833 phone
863.0466 fax
nlosch at ci.burlington.vt.us
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Current Traffic Calming requests, in the order they were received:
- Isham Street: the neighborhood approved bumpouts in summer 2011. Construction is underway.
- Hyde Street: neighborhood meetings and conceptual designs for upper Hyde Street are underway.
- Bright Street: one neighborhood meeting was held to discuss commercial property impacts and quality of life concerns, but neighbors have not requested traffic calming.
- Loomis Street: a neighborhood meeting was held in September 2010. Conceptual plans have been reviewed by residents, and a negative-poll of the neighborhood is scheduled for 2012.
- North Street: traffic data was collected in summer 2011. A neighborhood meeting was held in July and a follow up meeting to discuss conceptual designs will be scheduled for 2012.
- Tracy Drive: traffic data was collected in summer 2011. A neighborhood meeting was held in September 2011 and a follow up meeting will be scheduled for 2012.
Recently completed Traffic Calming projects:
- Decatur Street -- neighborhood-approved bumpouts, incorporating stormwater treatment features, were installed in October 2010. Results: In 2004, only 66% of vehicles traveled at or below the 25 mph speed limit on Decatur Street. Follow-up traffic data in 2011 shows that 85% of the vehicles now travel at or below 25 mph.
Traffic Calming requests that were received, but were not pursued at the neighborhood's request:
- Crombie Street: the neighborhood decided against any changes to their street at this time, so requests may be processed again after January 2011.
- Austin Drive: traffic data was collected in summer 2011. A neighborhood meeting will be scheduled for fall 2011.
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