Traffic Calming Program

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Traffic Calming Program

Contact Information

Chris Barnes

1055 S. Grady Way

Renton, WA 98057

(425) 430-7220

Email[email protected]

The City of Renton’s Traffic Calming Program improves traffic safety by reducing vehicle speeds and/or volumes on a single street or street network.

Tier 1 and Tier 2 Traffic Calming Treatments:

The city defines traffic calming treatments into two tiers:

Tier 1 – Traffic calming treatments that do not physically disrupt the path of a motor vehicle. Examples are shown below but are not limited to these examples.

Driver Feedback Signs

Traffic Calming image of Radar Feedback Sign

Signing and Pavement Markings

Traffic Calming image of Pavement Markings

Tier 2 – Traffic calming treatments that physically disrupt the path of a motor vehicle. Examples are shown below but are not limited to these examples.

Speed Cushions
(Limited to local and collector roadways with speed limits of 25 mph or less, and less than 8% roadway grade)

Traffic Calming image of Speed Cushions

Roundabouts

Traffic Calming image of Roundabouts

Questions

Chris Barnes, Traffic Operations Manager: email or 425-430-7220

Procedure

Below is an outline of the traffic calming procedure.

Tier 1 Traffic Calming:

1. Collect and analyze speed data

2. Is the 85th percentile speed ≥ the speed limit + 5 mph?

The 85th percentile speed is the speed at or below which 85 percent of all drivers are observed to travel under free flow conditions. The City considers excessive speeding if this speed is 5 mph over the speed limit.

Yes, then Tier 1 Traffic calming treatments are installed.

No, then speeding referred to Renton Police Department and no traffic calming is installed. Radar trailer(s) deployed; residents may request radar trailers at any time.

3. After at least one year, speed data collection and analysis are repeated.

If speeding persists, consider Tier 2 Traffic Calming Treatments, or large-scale project in TIP.

If speeding does not persist, existing traffic calming treatment remains, and no other action taken.

Driver Feedback Sign Rotation:

Driver Feedback signs are a Tier 1 traffic calming treatment that use radar to display the driver’s speed and the message “SLOW DOWN” if going too fast. A speed limit sign is also posted with the Driver Feedback sign.

1. Installed for 3 months, then rotated to other locations throughout the city.

2. Reinstalled after 9 – 12 months.

3. Speed data collected after 2nd installation to determine if Tier 2 traffic calming treatments are needed.

If speeding continues, Tier 2 traffic calming treatments may be considered.

Tier 2 Traffic Calming:

1. Tier 1 procedure completed after a year and speeding persists.

2. Appropriate/feasible Tier 2 traffic calming treatment selected.

3. Project is ranked among all current projects.

Ranking is based on 85th percentile Speed, number of speeders, school walk route or school bus stop, pedestrian activity level, and crash history.

4. Survey letters mailed to residents for support.

If >65% support traffic calming treatment, then project moves forward.

If <65% support traffic calming treatment, then Tier 1 traffic calming treatments will remain. Alternative designs may be investigated, and residents will be surveyed again.

5. Implement design and construction.

6. Traffic calming procedure concluded by a before and after traffic study.

Completed Projects

Lake Washington Blvd N – between Burnett Ave N and Houser Way N. Completed on 10/20/23, first large scale project for the Traffic Calming Program. Speed study results: 40 mph 85th Percentile Speed Before, 28 mph 85th Percentile Speed After.

Title VI

The City of Renton hereby gives public notice that it is the City’s policy to assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. Title VI requires that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any Federal Aid Highway program or other activity for which the City of Renton receives federal financial assistance.

Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint with the City of Renton. Any such complaint must be in writing and filed with the City of Renton, Human Resources Dept. within one hundred eighty (180) days of the alleged discriminatory occurrence. Title VI Discrimination Complaint Forms may be obtained from the City of Renton, Public Works Dept., Transportation Div. at no cost to the complainant by calling 425-430-7380 or by visiting www.rentonwa.gov/city_hall/public_works/transportation_systems/title_v_i.

CITY OF RENTON WASHINGTON