Participation
To participate in this program, a neighborhood must:
- Be located in an unincorporated area of Pima County
- Have paved roads maintained by Pima County
- Have a posted speed limit of 25 mph
FAQs
Q: Does our neighborhood qualify?
A: There are two basic requirements to be a part of the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP). The requirements are that the area of concern is a paved roadway maintained by Pima County Department of Transportation (PCDOT) and that the roadway has a 25 mph speed limit. However, collector roadways are typically excluded from NTMP.
Q: What is the affected area?
A: The traffic impact benefit area (TIBA) is the area that will be directly affected by the installation of traffic calming devices. Normally, this includes the street or streets that have a traffic volume or speeding problems. It also includes any streets whose residents must use the street that is treated to enter or exit the neighborhood. This includes cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets connecting to the street with a traffic problem.
Q: How much effort will be required by the neighborhood?
A: Residents will be required to form a neighborhood advisory committee, schedule meetings, hold petition drives, select a traffic management plan, and pay for the selected traffic calming devices.
Q: What is the difference between a speed bump and a speed hump?
A: A “speed bump” is a device used to stop vehicles. It can be up to 6 inches in height and up to 3 feet in length. It is typically used in shopping plazas. A “speed hump” is a device used to slow vehicles. It is 12 feet in length and gradually rises to a mid point height of no more than 3½ inches.
Q: Are speed humps our only alternative?
A: No. In fact, there are many traffic calming devices that are available. While the speed hump is the most common type of physical device, traffic circles are also an option. The neighborhood’s concerns and input will be incorporated into the final plan that is developed. However, Pima County Department of Transportation will only allow devices that are not a threat to the traveling public. PCDOT will not jeopardize the safety of the motoring public at any time.
Q: Can our neighborhood get just one speed hump?
A: No. Speed humps work only if they are in a series. Speed humps placed properly ensure more constant speeds through an area. A single speed hump only ensures a low speed in the immediate vicinity of the speed hump.
Q: Is our whole neighborhood required to have traffic calming devices?
A: For many neighborhoods, traffic calming devices on one street are adequate. However, to avoid diverting traffic to adjacent streets, the entire area may need to be addressed.
Q: Who decides in my neighborhood if we should have traffic calming devices?
A: The decision to accept the recommend plan is made by the residents. The neighborhood selects a committee to coordinate activities. Any proposals developed by PC TED and the TIBA committee must be supported by 60 percent of the residents in the traffic impact benefit area.
Q: How much will traffic calming devices cost?
A: A speed hump normally costs $1,100 to $1,200 to construct. The wider the roadway, the more a speed hump will cost. In many neighborhoods, the cost is approximately $1,100 per speed hump. A traffic circle normally costs $3,000 to $5,000 to construct. The neighborhood must secure a one year maintenance contract to maintain the landscaping in the traffic circle or traffic islands. The County will pay for signing and striping needs.
Q: How long is the process?
A: It depends on the commitment of the neighborhood, and the extent of the NTMP plan supported by the residents. Some projects have been completed in as little as 6 months while others are still on going after several years. In most neighborhoods, the process has taken approximately nine months.
Q: Will emergency vehicles be slowed by a speed hump?
A: Yes. All vehicles traveling through the neighborhood will have their speeds reduced. However, operators of emergency vehicles do not speed through residential areas because they don't want to cause an accident. Traffic calming devices reduce overall speeds, which reduces potential for vehicular accidents and the need for emergency services. Based on studies by fire departments, each speed hump reduces the response time of an emergency vehicles by approximately four seconds.
Q: Can the neighborhood get an all-way stop at some intersections?
A: An all-way stop control must be warranted by federal guidelines. PCDOT does not install stop signs to slow down traffic or to discourage cut-through traffic. Studies have shown that motorists tend to increase their speed on the segments between stop signs.
Q: Can our neighborhood get "SLOW CHILDREN PLAYING" signs?
A: No. These signs give parents and children a false sense of security and are generally disregarded by motorists. These signs are not effective for reducing speeds or protecting children. The best protection is to prevent children from playing in the street.
Q: What is the general order of events in the NTMP?