Traffic Calming

After more than 20 years since introducing one of the nation's first Traffic Calming and Neighorhood Enhancement programs, we are proud to introduce a streamlined Traffic Calming program that is data-driven and equitable for all Burlington neighborhoods. Working together, we will continue to maintain the quality of life that Burlingtonians expect and deserve. 

Why did the traffic calming program change? 

Neighborhood petitions are no longer required to initiate the request because these petitions create inequities for residents struggling with time, language, or other barriers. The program also operated as first-in / first-out, with a neighborhood poll to select the improvements at the end. This process took several years per street, leaving streets with speeding, traffic crashes, or heavy truck traffic without any substantial improvement for years. 

How is the updated program different?

The program is now data-driven using speed, crashes, and truck volumes to inform decisions. Streets are redesigned to achieve design speeds established in planBTV Walk Bike and the Burlington Transportation Plan. Rather than operate as first-in / first-out, the streets with the most substantial traffic issues and the greatest need for traffic safety will be prioritized first. Using this approach, the neighorhood process will be streamlined, making it equitable for every neighborhood. This program also focuses soley on redesigning streets for traffic safety. Neighborhood enhancements have been shifted into other existing programs. 

What to expect from the new program:

1. Contact DPW about traffic concerns on your street. 

2. DPW will collect traffic data if needed (April - October). DPW will review crash history and traffic data to assess speed conditions and identify the percent of heavy truck traffic. 

3. If data exceeds the thresholds from the Traffic Calming Manual, DPW will determine your street's place in the queue and develop a traffic calming improvement plan based on the context of your streets. The improvement plan will be shared with the neighborhood but will not require a neighborhood vote. 

4. If data does not meet the thresholds for traffic calming, resources will be provided for neighborhood enhancements to pursue separately. 

How will streets be prioritized?

Traffic calming will prioritize safety first based on:

#1: streets with 85th percentile speeds exceeding the speed limit or slow zone target speed by more than 5 mph; or with a fatal crash or crash involving a person walking or biking within the last 5 years.

#2: construction activity that should be coordinated with other projects.

#3: streets with no traffic calming. 

#4: streets with traffic calming. 

#5: streets that have had traffic calming installed within the last 5 years.