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HomeMy WebLinkAbout106-26 RESOLUTION1 13 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (47e) 575-8323 Resolution: 106-26 File Number: 2026-516 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A NEW RESIDENT-REQUESTED TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY WHEREAS, on March 16,2O2l,the City Council passed Resolution 95-21 approving a Traffic Calming Policy; and WHEREAS, since the new policy was approved, the City Council approved a new default speed limit of 20 mites per hour for residential streets and speed limits were adjusted on most streets throughout Fayetteville; and WHEREAS, staff recommends an update, which will keep the framework of the existing policy intact but make some key changes to the scoring system and eligibility requirements to better align the policy to the expectations of the public and the original intent to provide traffic calming focused on safety in mitigating higher speed "cut through" traffic on residential and minor urban streets. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section l: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby approves the new Traffic Calming Policy, a copy of which is attached to this Resolution and made a part hereof. PASSED and APPROVED on April 2l ,2026 Approved Attest:I ao; EVTLLE i ----c:.Molly Rawn,Kara Paxton,City C Page 1 FAY ETTa a a a Page 1 City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Legislation Text 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 File #: 2026-516 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A NEW RESIDENT-REQUESTED TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY WHEREAS, on March 16, 2021, the City Council passed Resolution 95-21 approving a Traffic Calming Policy; and WHEREAS, since the new policy was approved, the City Council approved a new default speed limit of 20 miles per hour for residential streets and speed limits were adjusted on most streets throughout Fayetteville; and WHEREAS, staff recommends an update, which will keep the framework of the existing policy intact but make some key changes to the scoring system and eligibility requirements to better align the policy to the expectations of the public and the original intent to provide traffic calming focused on safety in mitigating higher speed “cut through” traffic on residential and minor urban streets. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby approves the new Traffic Calming Policy, a copy of which is attached to this Resolution and made a part hereof. Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 www.fayetteville-ar.gov CITY COUNCIL MEMO 2026-516 MEETING OF APRIL 21, 2026 TO: Mayor Rawn and City Council THROUGH: Matt Mihalevich, Active Transportation Manager Justin Bland, City Engineer Chris Brown, Public Works Director Keith Macedo, Chief of Staff FROM: Dane Eifling, Mobility Coordinator SUBJECT: Resident-Requested Traffic Calming Policy Update RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends updating the resident-requested traffic calming policy based on Transportation Committee recommendations. BACKGROUND: In 2003, in response to multiple complaints about speeding in residential neighborhoods, a traffic calming policy was recommended as part of a citywide traffic study. Although the policy was never formally adopted, its framework was used for several years to prioritize requests through a points-based scoring system. The primary factors considered were traffic speed and traffic volume. This system remained in use until approximately 2008, when funding constraints resulted in traffic calming being removed from the City’s budget. In 2019, staff resumed evaluating traffic calming requests using the informal policy framework that had been in place since 2008. At that time, it became clear that the existing policy did not align with neighborhood expectations, as nearly all requests failed to meet the established thresholds. In response, staff drafted a revised traffic calming policy, which was adopted by City Council in March 2021 as resolution 95-21 and remains in effect today. Shortly after the 2021 policy was adopted, City Council approved a new default speed limit of 20 mph for residential streets, and speed limits were adjusted on most streets throughout Fayetteville. DISCUSSION: Since 2021, city staff has responded to approximal 200 formal requests for traffic calming on various streets in Fayetteville. Under the existing policy the City has installed speed cushions traffic calming on the following streets: 1.Ash St 2.Assembly Dr 3.Stubblefield Rd 4.Sequoyah Dr 5.Roberts Rd Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 www.fayetteville-ar.gov 6.Alberta St 7.Harold St 8.Morning Mist Dr 9.Elm St 10.Duncan Ave 11.New Bridge Rd 12.Bulldog Blvd 13.East Oaks Dr 14.S College Ave 15.Happy Hollow Rd The current policy is a point-based system that requires 35 points or an 85th percentile speed of 35 MPH on residential link or urban center classified streets to qualify. Points are mostly based on traffic speed and volume with additional points added for lack of sidewalks and proximity to schools. A neighborhood consensus of 60% approval from residents is also required with residents voting to approve exact location and type of treatment. The proposed updates to the policy keep the framework of the existing policy intact but make some key changes to the scoring system and eligibility requirements to better align the policy to the expectations of the public and the original intent to provide traffic calming focused on safety in mitigating higher speed “cut through” traffic on residential and minor urban streets. Key changes include: •Basing the speed score on the posted or statutory speed limit of the street rather than a default 25 mph o This increases overall points scored for most streets with 20 mph speed limits •Adding 2.5 points for streets designated as on-street bicycle routes •Subtracting 5 points for streets with fully separated sidewalks or side paths •Allowing low-volume neighborhood link streets with less than 1,500 ADT to qualify •Increasing the minimum qualifying score from 35 to 50 points •Simplifying the process for requesting a traffic study by requiring five signatures rather than signatures from 70% of residents •Lowering the maximum allowable ADT from 4,000 to 3,000 •Requiring a minimum of 15 resident signatures to approve any installation These changes have been reviewed and approved by City Council’s Transportation Committee and recommended for adoption. BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT: None ATTACHMENTS: 3. Staff Review Form, 4. Traffic Calming Policy 2026 Draft Revision 4-2-26 Update, 5. Resident-Requested Traffic Calming Policy 2026 Draft Revision - Clean City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form 2026-516 Item ID 4/7/2026 City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only N/A for Non-Agenda Item Matt Mihalevich 3/3/2026 ENGINEERING (621) Submitted By Submitted Date Division / Department Action Recommendation: Staff recommends updating the traffic calming policy based on Transportation Committee recommendations. Budget Impact: N/A N/A Account Number Fund N/A N/A Project Number Project Title Budgeted Item?No Total Amended Budget $- Expenses (Actual+Encum)$- Available Budget $- Does item have a direct cost?No Item Cost $- Is a Budget Amendment attached?No Budget Amendment $- Remaining Budget $- Purchase Order Number:Previous Ordinance or Resolution #95-21 Change Order Number:Approval Date: Original Contract Number: Comments: 4/21/2026 1 RESIDENT-REQUESTED TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY Update Draft April, 2026 INTRODUCTION Excessive traffic speed in neighborhood areas is an issue of concern to citizens in Fayetteville. This policy addresses a procedure through which residents can request traffic calming measures. This policy is a primary evaluation tool to provide objective measures to evaluate the appropriateness of all traffic calming requests but does not preclude the City from implementing traffic calming as part of street improvements. Traffic calming is the management of traffic using roadway design features. Traffic management through traffic calming is most effective if the features are both warranted and properly designed. Traffic calming solutions may be warranted where there is a demonstrated need for traffic calming, and where solutions can be identified that may address the need. Not only must the needs be perceived by the neighborhood, but they must also be documented to be substantive. In order for traffic calming strategies to be effective, traffic data collection and analysis must validate that calming needs are legitimate. These traffic studies may include: 1.Speed studies 2.Vehicle and pedestrian counts 3.Through-traffic surveys 4.Accident records Effective solutions for valid needs also require that the selected traffic calming strategy be appropriate for the need. Once an effective strategy for traffic calming has been selected, it should be properly designed in accordance with the relevant design parameters. These should include consideration of: 1. Traffic volume 2.Design speed 3.Design vehicle characteristics 4.Emergency services Although warranted and properly designed traffic calming strategies can have the desired benefits of managing traffic, they also can create disadvantages to adjacent streets and neighborhoods and to the traveling public at large. Traffic calming can have the potential of shifting an existing traffic problem to another street or neighborhood. Traffic calming may also increase delay for emergency response vehicles and can increase long term maintenance costs for the City. Because of the controversy and potential disadvantages, traffic calming should be implemented only with the majority consent of those directly impacted. This policy therefore provides guidelines for the following traffic calming activities: 1. Requests for traffic calming consideration 2. Prioritization of requests 3. Identification and approval of traffic calming strategies 4. Programming of traffic calming improvements 5. Design of traffic calming projects 6. Evaluation of traffic calming projects ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS The design of traffic calming devices must meet the following criteria: 1. Only residential links, urban center streets with less than 3,000 ADT and neighborhood link streets with less than 1,500 ADT are eligible. 2. Limited to streets having only one lane of through traffic in each direction. 3. Streets must not be primary emergency routes, as determined by the Police and Fire Departments. 4. At the discretion of the City Engineer, certain traffic calming measures may not be used if they would create an unsafe condition for motorists driving at normal speeds under average driving conditions. 5. Streets must not be through truck routes unless an acceptable alternative route is identified and approved. Design of traffic calming features shall accommodate a single unit truck. REQUESTS FOR TRAFFIC CALMING CONSIDERATION Requests for traffic calming received will be catalogued, and will be assigned to one of three tiers: Tier 1: Proximity to Schools (1/2-mile walkshed) or other significant points of interest Tier 2: Obvious cut-through opportunities (based on engineering best judgement, could be supplemented with traffic count study) Tier 3: Dead-end or disconnected areas of the transportation network If a resident requests police patrol enforcement, the request will be forwarded to the Police Department for possible enforcement action. Requests from multiple streets may be grouped together and/or staff may add streets that may be impacted by traffic calming to requests. If such grouping occurs, the requirements of the next section will apply to the grouped streets. PRIORITIZATION OF TRAFFIC CALMING REQUESTS Locations assigned to Tier 1 or Tier 2 will be scheduled for further study upon receipt by the City Engineer of a petition or other affirmative response by at least five signatures from property owners or residents of the street(s) on which the traffic calming study is requested or written request from a Property Owners Association or other similar group. A block shall consist of every developed property having frontage on the street to be studied between successive intersecting streets. A typical traffic calming petition shall include, at a minimum, a description of the street or streets which are to be included in the calming study and the signature or other written evidence of approval. Where more than one person is listed as owner for each property, only one person shall be entitled to vote or sign a petition. Likewise, if multiple properties are owned by the same person or persons, the owner(s) will only be entitled to one vote or signature on the petition. Active Property Owners Associations (POA’s) may also provide approve or disapprove a traffic calming project. Written communication from association leadership may be used to meet the consensus requirements instead of a petition signed by residents. The City staff assigned to administer traffic calming studies will review the request for validity and will assess whether other streets may be impacted by implementation of traffic calming strategies. City staff will define the area of potential impact resulting from the traffic calming implementation on a case-by-case basis. Relevant data to be collected for the study includes: 1. Speed and volume counts 2. Accident experience 3. Distance to schools and other pedestrian generators 4. Pedestrian facilities This data will be used to assign a point value to each Tier 1 and Tier 2 location, as follows: Speed Per Calc. 5pts for each MPH over five MPH over 25 MPH the posted or statutory speed limit -using the 85th percentile Volume Per Calc. Average Daily Traffic (ADT)/100 Sidewalks and Bikeways -5 to 5 pts 5 pts if no continuous accessible sidewalks, 2.5pts if one side, 2.5 points street is part of designated shared on-street bike route. Subtract 5 points for streets with continuous adequate/comfortable sidewalks or side paths. Crashes 0 to 10 pts 1 point for each auto accident/year at one location over a 3 year period, 3 points for any fatal or serious injury crash or crash involving a pedestrians or bicyclists. School zones and Pedestrian Activity 0 to 10 pts 10 pts within quarter-mile radius, 7.5pts if between quarter- and half-mile radius, 5pts within half-mile radius, 2.5pts if partially in half-mile radius or within half mile of a major pedestrian activity generator such as large city park, employment cent, university or community center. Locations receiving a minimum of 50 points, or that have 85th percentile speeds 35 mph or higher will receive further consideration for traffic calming under this program. Locations with 85th percentile speeds not exceeding 5 mph over the speed limit will not receive further consideration regardless of score. Streets that do not meet these minimum criteria, and dead-end or disconnected streets that are placed in Tier 3 generally will not be considered for structural traffic calming, but may be considered for enforcement and are eligible for consideration of tactical urbanism permits. IDENTIFICATION OF TRAFFIC CALMING STRATEGIES City staff shall present to the residents living within the area of potential impact the results of the traffic calming study and rating. Where traffic calming may be appropriate, staff will present options for traffic calming in the affected area. Sixty percent (60%) or more of the property owners in the area of potential impact must support the proposed strategy option(s) with a minimum of 15 affirmative votes before the City will consider traffic calming implementation. In certain circumstances, when the city deems it necessary for public safety or when staff has been unable to reach a majority of residents, the 60% requirement may be waived. PROGRAMMING OF TRAFFIC CALMING IMPROVEMENTS Periodically, but not less than once each year, City staff will prioritize those traffic calming strategies within the City that have been approved within their area of impact. Prioritization will be based on the rating system. The City Council Transportation Committee will approve projects to be implemented, up to the yearly budget as determined by City Council. Those traffic calming improvement locations not selected will remain in consideration for up to three years. City ward boundaries should be considered so that projects affecting each ward can be implemented. EVALUATION OF TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECTS Six months following the completion of the traffic calming improvements, City staff may undertake a follow-up study to determine if the traffic calming features have achieved the initial purpose of the project. If unacceptable impacts are identified, corrective measures may be taken. Traffic calming measures may be removed after the evaluation period for any of the following reasons: 1. Emergency response is significantly impacted. 2. The problem for which the traffic calming was implemented has been transferred to another street. 3. At least sixty percent (60%) of the property owners in the defined area of impact sign a petition to remove the traffic calming measures. This option will result in complete removal of all measures. Where traffic calming measures are removed by petition, a period of at least 3 years must pass before future petitions for traffic calming measures will be considered on the same street(s). 4. If traffic volumes have increased beyond established limits for traffic calming, or sidewalk or trail infrastructure has been added, traffic calming measures may be reduced or removed. 1 RESIDENT-REQUESTED TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY Update Draft April, 2026 INTRODUCTION Excessive traffic speed in neighborhood areas is an issue of concern to citizens in Fayetteville. This policy addresses a procedure through which residents can request traffic calming measures. This policy is a primary evaluation tool to provide objective measures to evaluate the appropriateness of all traffic calming requests but does not preclude the City from implementing traffic calming as part of street improvements. Traffic calming is the management of traffic using roadway design features. Traffic management through traffic calming is most effective if the features are both warranted and properly designed. Traffic calming solutions may be warranted where there is a demonstrated need for traffic calming, and where solutions can be identified that may address the need. Not only must the needs be perceived by the neighborhood, but they must also be documented to be substantive. In order for traffic calming strategies to be effective, traffic data collection and analysis must validate that calming needs are legitimate. These traffic studies may include: 1. Speed studies 2. Vehicle and pedestrian counts 3. Through-traffic surveys 4. Accident records Effective solutions for valid needs also require that the selected traffic calming strategy be appropriate for the need. Once an effective strategy for traffic calming has been selected, it should be properly designed in accordance with the relevant design parameters. These should include consideration of: 1. Traffic volume 2. Design speed 3. Design vehicle characteristics 4. Emergency services Although warranted and properly designed traffic calming strategies can have the desired benefits of managing traffic, they also can create disadvantages to adjacent streets and neighborhoods and to the traveling public at large. Traffic calming can have the potential of shifting an existing traffic problem to another street or neighborhood. Traffic calming may also increase delay for emergency response vehicles and can increase long term maintenance costs for the City. Because of the controversy and potential disadvantages, traffic calming should be implemented only with the majority consent of those directly impacted. This policy therefore provides guidelines for the following traffic calming activities: 1. Requests for traffic calming consideration 2. Prioritization of requests 3. Identification and approval of traffic calming strategies 4. Programming of traffic calming improvements 5. Design of traffic calming projects 6. Evaluation of traffic calming projects ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS The design of traffic calming devices must meet the following criteria: 1. Only residential links, urban center streets with less than 3,000 ADT and neighborhood link streets with less than 1,500 ADT are eligible. 2. Limited to streets having only one lane of through traffic in each direction. 3. Streets must not be primary emergency routes, as determined by the Police and Fire Departments. 4. At the discretion of the City Engineer, certain traffic calming measures may not be used if they would create an unsafe condition for motorists driving at normal speeds under average driving conditions. 5. Streets must not be through truck routes unless an acceptable alternative route is identified and approved. Design of traffic calming features shall accommodate a single unit truck. REQUESTS FOR TRAFFIC CALMING CONSIDERATION Requests for traffic calming received will be catalogued, and will be assigned to one of three tiers: Tier 1: Proximity to Schools (1/2-mile walkshed) or other significant points of interest Tier 2: Obvious cut-through opportunities (based on engineering best judgement, could be supplemented with traffic count study) Tier 3: Dead-end or disconnected areas of the transportation network If a resident requests police patrol enforcement, the request will be forwarded to the Police Department for possible enforcement action. Requests from multiple streets may be grouped together and/or staff may add streets that may be impacted by traffic calming to requests. If such grouping occurs, the requirements of the next section will apply to the grouped streets. PRIORITIZATION OF TRAFFIC CALMING REQUESTS Locations assigned to Tier 1 or Tier 2 will be scheduled for further study upon receipt by the City Engineer of a petition or other affirmative response by at least five signatures from property owners or residents of the street(s) on which the traffic calming study is requested or written request from a Property Owners Association or other similar group. A block shall consist of every developed property having frontage on the street to be studied between successive intersecting streets. A typical traffic calming petition shall include, at a minimum, a description of the street or streets which are to be included in the calming study and the signature or other written evidence of approval. Where more than one person is listed as owner for each property, only one person shall be entitled to vote or sign a petition. Likewise, if multiple properties are owned by the same person or persons, the owner(s) will only be entitled to one vote or signature on the petition. Active Property Owners Associations (POA’s) may also provide approve or disapprove a traffic calming project. Written communication from association leadership may be used to meet the consensus requirements instead of a petition signed by residents. The City staff assigned to administer traffic calming studies will review the request for validity and will assess whether other streets may be impacted by implementation of traffic calming strategies. City staff will define the area of potential impact resulting from the traffic calming implementation on a case-by-case basis. Relevant data to be collected for the study includes: 1. Speed and volume counts 2. Accident experience 3. Distance to schools and other pedestrian generators 4. Pedestrian facilities This data will be used to assign a point value to each Tier 1 and Tier 2 location, as follows: Speed Per Calc. 5pts for each MPH over five MPH over the posted or statutory speed limit -using the 85th percentile Volume Per Calc. Average Daily Traffic (ADT)/100 Sidewalks and Bikeways -5 to 5 pts 5 pts if no continuous accessible sidewalks, 2.5pts if one side, 2.5 points street is part of designated shared on-street bike route. Subtract 5 points for streets with continuous adequate/comfortable sidewalks or side paths. Crashes 0 to 10 pts 1 point for each auto accident/year at one location over a 3 year period, 3 points for any fatal or serious injury crash or crash involving a pedestrians or bicyclists. School zones and Pedestrian Activity 0 to 10 pts 10 pts within quarter-mile radius, 7.5pts if between quarter- and half-mile radius, 5pts within half-mile radius, 2.5pts if partially in half-mile radius or within half mile of a major pedestrian activity generator such as large city park, employment cent, university or community center. Locations receiving a minimum of 50 points, or that have 85th percentile speeds 35 mph or higher will receive further consideration for traffic calming under this program. Locations with 85th percentile speeds not exceeding 5 mph over the speed limit will not receive further consideration regardless of score. Streets that do not meet these minimum criteria, and dead-end or disconnected streets that are placed in Tier 3 generally will not be considered for structural traffic calming, but may be considered for enforcement and are eligible for consideration of tactical urbanism permits. IDENTIFICATION OF TRAFFIC CALMING STRATEGIES City staff shall present to the residents living within the area of potential impact the results of the traffic calming study and rating. Where traffic calming may be appropriate, staff will present options for traffic calming in the affected area. Sixty percent (60%) or more of the property owners in the area of potential impact must support the proposed strategy option(s) with a minimum of 15 affirmative votes before the City will consider traffic calming implementation. In certain circumstances, when the city deems it necessary for public safety or when staff has been unable to reach a majority of residents, the 60% requirement may be waived. PROGRAMMING OF TRAFFIC CALMING IMPROVEMENTS Periodically, but not less than once each year, City staff will prioritize those traffic calming strategies within the City that have been approved within their area of impact. Prioritization will be based on the rating system. The City Council Transportation Committee will approve projects to be implemented, up to the yearly budget as determined by City Council. Those traffic calming improvement locations not selected will remain in consideration for up to three years. City ward boundaries should be considered so that projects affecting each ward can be implemented. EVALUATION OF TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECTS Six months following the completion of the traffic calming improvements, City staff may undertake a follow-up study to determine if the traffic calming features have achieved the initial purpose of the project. If unacceptable impacts are identified, corrective measures may be taken. Traffic calming measures may be removed after the evaluation period for any of the following reasons: 1. Emergency response is significantly impacted. 2. The problem for which the traffic calming was implemented has been transferred to another street. 3. At least sixty percent (60%) of the property owners in the defined area of impact sign a petition to remove the traffic calming measures. This option will result in complete removal of all measures. Where traffic calming measures are removed by petition, a period of at least 3 years must pass before future petitions for traffic calming measures will be considered on the same street(s). 4. If traffic volumes have increased beyond established limits for traffic calming, or sidewalk or trail infrastructure has been added, traffic calming measures may be reduced or removed.