Traffic Calming

LATEST TRAFFIC CALMING COMMITTEE STATUS - February 1st, 2024

The Bluefield Neigbhorhood Association's Traffic Committee is currently reviewing the street narrowing solution proposed by NDOT on November 21, 2024. This includes additional follow up with NDOT with questions about the solution and also finding examples of this solution in Nashville that can be shared as examples with neighbors.

Below are presentations from November Meeting presented by Darren Pack that also included an initial presentation on Traffic Circles in the triange areas of Bluefield Avenue that would require greater budget/investment from NDOT to imlpement and may also require easement acquisition. 

Presentation 1 - Traffic Cirlces in Triangle Areas & Chicanes along Bluefield Avenue - Click Here
Presentation 2 - Street Narrowing along Bluefield Avenue - Click Here - Click Here

What is Street Narrowing:

Street Narrowing is a traffic calming technique that reduces the width of a roadway to slow down vehicle speeds, improve pedestrian safety, and enhance the overall livability of an area. It can be achieved through various methods, including:

• Curb Extensions (Bulb-outs) – Sidewalk extensions at intersections or mid-block crossings that reduce crossing distance and slow turning vehicles.
• Chicanes – Alternating curb extensions or landscaped islands that create a winding path, forcing drivers to reduce speed.
• Lane Reduction – Reducing the number of travel lanes or reallocating space for bike lanes, wider sidewalks, or green space.
• Parking Lane Adjustments – Adding or modifying on-street parking to narrow the effective width of the road.

Why Use Street Narrowing for Traffic Calming?

• Slows Down Traffic – Narrower streets create a sense of enclosure, encouraging drivers to reduce speeds.
• Increases Safety – Shorter crossing distances make it safer for pedestrians.
• Supports Multi-Modal Use – Encourages biking, walking, and transit by making streets more accommodating.
• Enhances Community Aesthetics – Can include landscaping and public space improvements.

Traffic Calming Process for Bluefield Avenue in 2024

In 2024, approximately 25–30 engaged Bluefield neighbors attended the NDOT meetings, voicing their concerns and questions.

Both Director Diana Alarcon and NDOT representatives confirmed during neighborhood meetings in 2024 that Bluefields has no current deadline in selecting a traffic calming solutions and that Bluefield Avenue will not lose their budget that has been allocated.

• May 29, 2024: Diana Alarcon confirmed Bluefields had a $60K budget with no current time constraints for selecting a traffic calming solution.
• November 21, 2024: Derek Hagerty with Darren Pack reiterated that the budget increased to $65K, with no current deadline for voting on a specific traffic solution.

Below, you’ll find details from a 2022 NDOT traffic survey conducted for Bluefield Avenue:

2022 Bluefield Avenue Daily Traffic Counts were collected by NDOT on 4/12/2022. The 85^th Percentile Speed was 37mph and the Average Speed was 32mph. The daily volume recorded was 1660 vehicles per day. 

Bluefield Avenue, which is approxiately 96 years old, features three beautifully designed traffic triangles, which are a distinctive part of its streetscape. Any proposed changes to the road structure—ultimately altering the driving experience and visual streetscape for residents—should be approached with due diligence, transparent communication with all neighbors, and thoughtful consideration for our historic neighborhood.

 

November Traffic Calming Meeting Summary

Below are presentations from November Meeting) that also included an initial presentation on Traffic Circles in the triange areas of Bluefield Avenue that would require greater budget/investment from NDOT to implement that may also require easement acquisition.

Presentation 1 - Traffic Cirlces in Triangle Areas & Chicanes along Bluefield Avenue - Click Here
Presentation 2 - Street Narrowing along Bluefield Avenue - Click Here - Click Here

The next steps agreed upon at the end of this meeting was for the Bluefield Neighborhood Association Traffic Committee and neighbors to research the Street Narrowing Solution as described by senior NDOT Representative Derek Hagerty as an excellent traffic calming solution.  Once this solution has been researched we would then be sharing our results and documentation with our Bluefield neighbors seeking feedback and questions that would ultimatley allow us to continue moving forward with the traffic calming process. 

PAST TRAFFIC CALMING MEETING

When: November 21st, 2024  - 6:00 pm
Where: Donelson Library  (Google Maps)
Attending: Councilman Jeff Gregg, Diana Alarcon, head of NDOT.
Subject: Alternative Traffic Calming solutions for Bluefield Ave.

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When: May 29^th ,2024  - 6:00 pm
Where: Hermitage Police Precinct - 3701 James Kay Ln, Hermitage, TN 37076 (Google Maps)
Attending: Councilman Jeff Gregg, Diana Alarcon, head of NDOT.
Subject: Alternative Traffic Calming solutions for Bluefield Ave.

Although the last NDOT meeting was by NDOT invitation only, this is a public meeting and ALL are welcome. 

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Virtual Link & Meeting Details

https://nashville.webex.com/nashville/j.php?MTID=m4af22d26c7de1e1d8688809cb2f4c428

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 6:00 PM | 2 hours | (UTC-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
Meeting number: 2508 172 9041
Password: Pu8Qnmik9F8

Agenda: This meeting is to discuss and explore non-speed cushion options.

Representatives from NDOT will be in attendance at the meeting to answer any questions.

The physical meeting will be held at the Hermitage Police Precinct - 37013 James Kay Lane, Hermitage, TN  37076

Join by phone

+1-720-650-7664 United States Toll (Denver)

+1-202-860-2110 United States Toll (Washington D.C.)

Access code: 250 817 29041

Additional Resources:

Traffic Survey Results Provided to Bluefields by NDOT
Daily Traffic Counts were collected on 4/12/2022. The 85^th Percentile Speed was 37mph and the Average Speed was 32mph. The daily volume recorded was 1660 vehicles per day.

Bluefield Ave - Meeting 1 & 2 Traffic Calming Concept (View PDF)
Presented by NDOT Vendor - Harrison Turner, Kimley-Horn - (View Traffic Calming Options)

Raised concerns documentated in Meeting 2 - Provided by Gary Conn, Chair, Bluefields Traffic Calming Committee:

• NDOT has nothing in place for Neighborhoods to remove this solution or to measure results after installation.
• Unsightly industrial appearance does not align with the aesthetic and design of our historic neighborhood's streetscapes.
• Proposal included 2 large yellow warnings signs per table (total of 10 signs along Bluefield Ave).
• Solution allows drivers to drive into yards via road shoulder to avoid speed cushion (forcing residents to respond by putting their own streetside barriers).
• Too many tables were proposed for length of Bluefields Ave even after request for a reduction of tables in meeting 1.
• Documentation * provided by neighbhorhood Realtor that speed cushions may impact property values.
  * A bump in the road: speed bumps’ impact on property values, Emerald Insight.

FINAL NOTE: Councilman Gregg confirmed with Harris Turner at the completion of the 2nd meeting that there is no deadline or timeline for Bluefields to make a decision on the Speed Cushion Traffic Calming Concept.

Traffic Calming Options Below:

Presented by Bluefields Traffic Calming Committee, Chair Gary Conn & Peter Beare (Walkability)
Pro's and Con's (generated by ChatGPT)

 

Traffic Circles / Round Abouts Pros: Traffic Calming:Slows down vehicles, reducing the risk of high-speed collisions. Aesthetics: Can be landscaped to enhance the visual appeal of an area. Navigability: Generally suitable for larger vehicles due to wider lanes. Cons: Confusion: Can be confusing for drivers, leading to increased risk of accidents Space Requirements: Requires more land compared to other intersection types. Pedestrian Safety: Can be challenging for pedestrians to navigate safely.	Chicanes  Pros: Traffic Calming: Effectively slows down vehicles by requiring them to navigate a series of tight turns. Improved Safety: Reduces the likelihood of high-speed accidents, particularly in residential areas. Aesthetic Appeal: Can be landscaped to improve the visual appeal of the street. Cost-Effective: Often cheaper to implement than speed bumps or other physical traffic calming measures. Cons: Confusion: Can be confusing for drivers, leading to increased risk of accidents. Space Requirements: Requires more land compared to other intersection types. Pedestrian Safety: Can be challenging for pedestrians to navigate safely.
Speed Cushions Pros: Traffic Calming: Effectively reduces vehicle speeds, enhancing safety in residential areas. Emergency Vehicle Access: Designed to allow wider wheelbase vehicles, like ambulances and fire trucks, to pass through with minimal impact on speed. Cost-Effective: Generally less expensive to install and maintain compared to other traffic calming measures. Reduced Noise: Causes less noise compared to traditional speed bumps as vehicles pass over them more smoothly. Cons: Discomfort: Can be uncomfortable for drivers and passengers, particularly in smaller vehicles. Wear and Tear: May cause increased wear and tear on vehicles, particularly for frequent users. Road Maintenance: Can complicate road maintenance tasks that include during snow and ice events. Cyclist Impact: Can be challenging for cyclists to navigate, potentially leading to safety concerns if not designed with bike lanes in mind.	Radar Speed Signs Pros: Effective Speed Reduction: Visually alerts drivers of their current speed, encouraging them to slow down if they are exceeding the limit. Real-Time Feedback: Provides immediate feedback, which can be more effective in changing driver behavior than static signs. Data Collection: Can collect data on vehicle speeds and traffic patterns, useful for traffic analysis and planning. Visibility: Highly visible and can be used in various locations, including school zones and residential areas, enhancing overall road safety. Cons: Limited Enforcement: While they can encourage speed reduction, they do not enforce speed limits or issue fines. Initial Cost: Can be expensive to purchase and install, though generally lower cost than more permanent measures like speed bumps. Effectiveness Over Time: Drivers may become accustomed to the signs, reducing their effectiveness over time if not combined with other measures. Maintenance: Requires regular maintenance to ensure functionality and readability, which can add to long-term costs.
Curb Extensions Pros: Pedestrian Safety: Shortens crossing distance, making it safer and easier for pedestrians to cross the street. Traffic Calming: Narrows the roadway, encouraging drivers to reduce their speed. Visibility: Improves visibility of pedestrians for drivers, especially at intersections Aesthetic Improvement: Can be landscaped to enhance the visual appeal of the street and neighborhood. Parking Management: Helps manage parking by preventing illegal parking near intersections and crosswalks. Cons: Cost: Higher initial installation costs compared to other traffic calming measures. Maintenance: Requires regular maintenance, especially if landscaped. Emergency Vehicles: Can potentially slow down emergency vehicles due to the reduced road width. Cyclist Impact: May pose challenges for cyclists if not designed with bike lanes or sufficient space. Drainage Issues: Can affect drainage patterns and may require additional infrastructure to manage water runoff effectively.	Raised Median Pros: Traffic Safety: Separates opposing lanes of traffic, reducing head-on collisions and improving overall road safety. Pedestrian Safety: Provides a safe refuge for pedestrians crossing the street, particularly on wide roads. Access Management: Controls left-turn movements, reducing conflict points and improving traffic flow. Aesthetic Improvement: Can be landscaped, enhancing the visual appeal of the roadway and surrounding area. Reduced Speed: Encourages lower speeds by narrowing the effective width of the road, contributing to traffic calming. Cons: Access Limitation: Limits direct access to properties and businesses, potentially causing inconvenience for drivers and affecting business visibility. Construction Cost: Higher initial construction costs compared to painted or flush medians. Maintenance: Requires ongoing maintenance, particularly if landscaped, which can add to long-term costs. Emergency Response: Can hinder emergency vehicle access and movement if not properly designed with breaks or crossings. Driver Frustration: May lead to driver frustration or non-compliance if drivers find the access limitations inconvenient.
Raised Stop Sign Intersection Pros: Enhanced Visibility: Elevated stop signs are more visible to drivers, reducing the likelihood of running through the intersection. Traffic Calming: The raised platform slows down vehicles as they approach and navigate the intersection, enhancing safety. Pedestrian Safety: Improved pedestrian safety due to reduced vehicle speeds and better visibility of crosswalks. Accident Reduction: Can significantly reduce the number and severity of accidents at intersections by ensuring drivers stop completely. Cons: Construction Cost: Higher initial cost compared to standard stop sign installations due to the need for elevation and potential road modifications. Maintenance: May require more maintenance than traditional intersections, especially if the raised platform is damaged. Discomfort: Can cause discomfort for drivers and passengers, particularly if not well-marked or if vehicles travel over them at higher speeds. Emergency Vehicle Impact: Can slow down emergency response vehicles, potentially affecting response times.	Median Islands Pros: Pedestrian Safety: Provides a safe refuge for pedestrians crossing wide streets, allowing them to navigate one direction of traffic at a time. Traffic Calming: Narrows lanes and can slow down traffic, improving overall safety. Accident Reduction: Reduces the likelihood of head-on collisions by separating opposing lanes of traffic. Aesthetic Improvement: Can be landscaped, enhancing the visual appeal of the roadway and the surrounding area. Access Control: Helps manage left-turn movements, reducing conflict points and improving traffic flow. Cons: Access Limitation: Limits direct access to properties and businesses, potentially causing inconvenience for drivers and impacting business visibility. Construction Cost: Higher initial construction costs compared to simple painted lines or flush medians. Maintenance: Requires ongoing maintenance, particularly if landscaped, which can add to long-term costs. Emergency Vehicle Impact: Can hinder emergency vehicle access and movement if not properly designed with breaks or crossings. Driver Frustration: May lead to driver frustration or non-compliance if drivers find the access limitations inconvenient.