NDOT presents traffic-calming plans for Albion, 30 Second and 30 Third; ballots to go to property owners

Amy Birch, a traffic engineer and consultant working with the Nashville Department of Transportation, outlined plans for traffic calming on Albion Street and the 30 Second and 30 Third corridors and described how the city’s ballot process will determine whether the projects proceed to construction.

Birch said the traffic-calming program is intended to reduce vehicle speeds on residential streets and tied the work to Nashville’s Vision Zero commitment. "There's a really close correlation between safety and speed," Birch said, noting the presentation’s survival-rate graphic showing an 89 percent chance of survival for a pedestrian struck at 25 mph and lower survival rates at higher speeds.

The presentation described the program’s selection and scoring process. NDOT staff said the program received more than 600 street applications in the most recent selection and that staff selects about 25 streets based on a 100‑point scoring system. Birch said speed accounts for 45 percent of the score, non‑driver accommodations (sidewalks, bike and transit access) about 15 percent, trip destinations 5 percent, and a 10‑year record of vulnerable‑user injuries and…