Corridor Traffic Calming
Albemarle, Virginia
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC)
Problem
Speeding by cut-through traffic was making the Forest Lakes community unsafe.
Background
The Forest Lakes community in Albemarle, Virginia, took the initiative to solve speeding and cut-through traffic problems on a major street that runs through theirs and an adjacent neighborhood. The county conducted a survey to determine the extent of the speeding problem and subsequently agreed to consider solutions. The community elected several residents to represent them on a committee that also included representatives from the Department of Transportation , the police department, the fire department , and the school board.
Solution
Through a process of sharing and negotiation, residents could express their concerns and desires, and officials shared their abilities and limitations. Originally residents asked for street signs announcing a $200 fine for speeding. The police, however, felt that this would be ineffective, as they don't have the resources to consistently patrol the area. The group agreed upon several measures, including speed bumps, white road edge markings, and pavement markings reading "Slow Down" and "Speed Limit 25." Reflective green florescent pedestrian signs were also installed. As speeding school buses were observed to be a part of the problem, the local school board also agreed to enforce the speed limit among school bus drivers. According to the Virginia DOT guidelines, it must be shown that at least 75 percent of the community is in favor of proposed improvements before beginning, so the group also conducted a door to door survey of about 200 of the 1000 homes in the community and found near unanimous approval.
Results
Community initiative clearly triumphed in this case. One DOT representative even stated, "We never would have tackled that battle if they hadn't come to us first." Though no formal evaluation of the changes has been done, residents are pleased with the changes, and county officials feel a good solution was worked out through the negotiation process.
Contact
Juandiego Wade, Senior Transportation Planner
jwade@albemarle.org
Filed in: Community Problems and Solutions, Engineering, Case Studies
