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(a) Traffic calming is a form of traffic planning that seeks to equalize the use of streets between automobiles, pedestrians, bicyclists and playing children. This is accomplished through the use of devices and techniques that reduce traffic volume and speed in neighborhoods while maintaining maximum mobility and access. Traffic calming also attempts to make drivers aware of the fact that they are sharing the space of a street with other users. While traffic calming will modify traffic patterns, streets will remain in public ownership and be accessible to the general public.
(b) The Traffic Calming ordinance provides a procedure to consider, evaluate, implement and remove traffic calming measures on residential streets in the City of Flint.
(Ord. 3499, passed 9-23-2002)
The following when used in this article, shall have the following meanings, unless otherwise clearly apparent from the context of the ordinance:
ARTERIAL STREET. Any major street in the City that serves as an avenue for the circulation of traffic onto, out of or around the City and carries high volumes of traffic.
COLLECTOR STREET. Any two- or four-lane street that links an arterial street with another collector street or a local street.
DWELLING UNIT. One or more rooms physically arranged to create an independent housekeeping establishment for occupancy by one family.
LOCAL STREET. Any two-lane street with the primary purpose of providing access to abutting residential properties.
TRAFFIC CALMING COMMITTEE. An eleven (11) member committee, consisting of one member from each of the City’s nine wards, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council, with two ex officio members, the commander of the Flint Police Traffic Bureau and the Manager of the Traffic Engineering Division. The Committee shall have the duty to establish traffic calming priorities and select streets that will receive traffic calming devices.
TRAFFIC CALMING STUDY. An appraisal of traffic conditions in the development of a plan for installing one or more traffic calming devices in a residential neighborhood.
TRAFFIC COUNT. A manual or automatic count of the number of vehicles traversing a particular street in a given period of time.
(Ord. 3499, passed 9-23-2002)
(a) The Traffic Calming Committee, after reviewing recommendations from the below-listed City staff, shall create a traffic calming application and establish any additional procedures and policies necessary for the selection, implementation, evaluation, and removal of traffic calming devices with the City of Flint. Staff for the Traffic Calming Committee shall consist of representatives from the Traffic Engineering Division, Office of City Planning, and Legal Department.
(b) The Traffic Calming Committee will review all eligible traffic calming applications, and, based on funding availability and on priorities and criteria established by the Committee, select applications for further study, and based on the findings of the traffic calming study, select traffic calming devices to be installed by the City. Before installing any traffic calming device, the Traffic Calming Committee shall also be responsible for holding a public hearing to measure public support and understanding for traffic calming within the community where traffic calming devices are proposed.
(c) The Traffic Calming Committee shall develop and maintain a sample list of acceptable traffic calming devices for use within the City of Flint. Such list shall be attached to the traffic calming application and amended from time to time as various devices are introduced and tested within the City.
(Ord. 3499, passed 9-23-2002)
A traffic calming study shall be considered upon receipt by the Traffic Calming Committee of an application signed by at least one member of 75% of the dwelling units having automobile access on the block of the street where a traffic calming device is requested. If a traffic calming device is proposed at the intersection of two streets, the signature requirement shall apply to all intersecting street blocks. In addition to the required signatures, the application shall identify the traffic problems to be remedied and goals to be achieved through traffic calming and the suggested traffic calming devices to be installed.
(Ord. 3499, passed 9-23-2002)
(a) The Traffic Calming Committee, after reviewing recommendations from the below-listed City staff, shall create a traffic calming application and establish any additional procedures and policies necessary for the selection, implementation, evaluation, and removal of traffic calming devices with the City of Flint. Staff for the Traffic Calming Committee shall consist of representatives from the Traffic Engineering Division, Office of City Planning, and Legal Department.
(b) The Traffic Calming Committee will review all eligible traffic calming applications, and, based on funding availability and on priorities and criteria established by the Committee, select applications for further study, and based on the findings of the traffic calming study, select traffic calming devices to be installed by the City. Before installing any traffic calming device, the Traffic Calming Committee shall also be responsible for holding a public hearing to measure public support and understanding for traffic calming within the community where traffic calming devices are proposed.
(c) The Traffic Calming Committee shall develop and maintain a sample list of acceptable traffic calming devices for use within the City of Flint. Such list shall be attached to the traffic calming application and amended from time to time as various devices are introduced and tested within the City.
(Ord. 3499, passed 9-23-2002)
The Traffic Calming Committee shall use, but are not limited to, the following criteria in evaluating traffic calming applications, traffic calming studies and selecting traffic calming devices to be installed in residential areas:
(a) Street type. Limited to streets classified as collector or local streets.
(b) Speed limit. Street’s current speed limit must be posted as 25 miles per hour if it is a local street or 30 miles per hour if it is a collector street.
(c) Lanes of traffic. Limited to streets having only one lane of moving traffic in each direction.
(d) Emergency routes. Streets must not be used as the primary route for fire and rescue equipment.
(e) Grade. At the discretion of the Traffic Engineering Manager, certain traffic calming devices may not be used if street grades are too steep.
(f) Sight distances. At the discretion of the Traffic Engineering Manager, certain traffic calming devices may not be used if curves or obstacles would create an unsafe condition for motorists driving at posted speeds under average driving conditions.
(g) Community facilities. Priority shall be given to streets that do not provide direct access to schools or other community facilities.
(h) Bus routes. Streets with mass transit shall be considered for traffic calming if such routes can be redirected to other streets.
(i) Truck routes. The street may not be a truck route, unless an acceptable alternate route is identified.
(j) Pedestrian/bicycle safety. The installation of traffic calming devices shall enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety.
(k) Drainage. The installation of traffic calming devices shall not adversely affect street drainage.
(l) Consistency with transportation plans. The installation of any traffic calming device shall not conflict with any adopted transportation plan or proposed street improvement.
(Ord. 3499, passed 9-23-2002)
The Traffic Calming Committee shall hold a neighborhood public hearing prior to the installation of any traffic calming device. The Traffic Calming Committee shall erect public notice signs at the location of each proposed traffic calming device at least fifteen (15) days prior to the public hearing. The signs shall describe the proposed traffic devices to be installed, set forth the time and place of the public hearing, and provide a phone number for additional information.
(Ord. 3499, passed 9-23-2002)
(a) Scheduling. The installation of traffic calming devices shall be scheduled by the Director of Transportation upon approval by the Traffic Calming Committee and identification of funding sources.
(b) Project completion. Completion of the installation of a traffic calming device shall be subject to work crew schedules, purchasing constraints and appropriate weather conditions.
(Ord. 3499, passed 9-23-2002)
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