NDOT proposes speed cushions and radar signs for Eulela Drive; neighborhood ballot to decide

Amy Birch, a transport engineer and consultant with the Department of Transportation (NDOT), presented a draft traffic-calming plan for Eulela Drive at a virtual neighborhood meeting and said the design calls for two sets of speed cushions, radar feedback signs in each direction and flexible posts protecting bike lanes.

The plan is intended to reduce vehicle speeds on Eulela Drive, which NDOT data show has an 85th percentile speed of 34 miles per hour on a street with a 25 mph limit and recorded about 4,413 vehicles during a single 24-hour count. "At 25 miles per hour ... a pedestrian has an 89% chance of survival if struck by a vehicle going that speed," Birch said, citing NDOT materials on speed and crash severity.

NDOT said the proposed vertical devices are rubberized speed cushions arranged to allow wider-wheelbase vehicles, such as fire trucks and ambulances, to straddle the cushions while passenger vehicles must travel over them. Where the cushions would intrude on an existing bike lane, the plan includes flexible delineator posts to prevent drivers from using the bike lane to bypass the cushions. Birch said the radar feedback signs would be permanently mounted and collect speed and volume data.

The neighborhood meeting was part of NDOT’s traffic-calming program process. Birch described the program’s selection criteria: measured speeds (45% of a street’s score), daily volume (25%), a 10-year crash history for vulnerable road users (10%) and proximity to trip generators such as schools or libraries. She said Eulela Drive was among 25 streets selected from more than 600 requests.

NDOT outlined the remaining schedule: NDOT will complete a detailed design (about two months), then mail postcards with unique IDs to eligible properties and open a six-week ballot. Birch said the program requires at least 66% of ballots cast to be in favor for the project to proceed to construction, which NDOT estimates typically takes eight to ten months after a successful ballot. Birch said if the ballot fails, NDOT would prepare an alternate plan without vertical measures (for example, additional radar signs).

Residents asked about follow-up evaluation and voting logistics. A resident identified as Don asked, "Is that part of the follow-up plan to see how effective this is on the average speed and average daily vehicle using our street?" Birch said radar signs collect data but NDOT does not systematically perform after-studies on every street; they will do additional before-and-after studies on a sample of streets and can pull data from the radar signs if requested.

Councilman Nash, speaking as the district's council member, said he did not see the need for a second neighborhood meeting provided residents are satisfied with the draft plan. "As long as the residents there agree with what that looks like, I don't see the need for a second meeting," he said.

Birch also explained voter eligibility and outreach: eligible voters are properties that touch the portion of the street in the project limits; residential properties, churches and schools receive one postcard vote each; vacant properties and businesses are not eligible. The postcards include a unique ID and a link or QR code to the ballot; NDOT provides a phone number for residents who need help voting online.

NDOT asked the neighborhood whether to proceed to balloting once the detailed design is complete; Councilman Nash and meeting participants indicated support to move forward. Birch said the postcards should be mailed in about two months. "When the voting is closed, we will tally that the next week and post the results on the website," she said, and NDOT will notify council members and the applicant of the outcome.

What happens next: NDOT will finalize the detailed design, then mail ballots to eligible properties. If 66% or more of returned ballots favor the project, NDOT will schedule construction; if not, NDOT will propose a non-vertical alternative.