Amy Birch, a traffic engineer and consultant working with the Department of Transportation (NDOT), presented a preliminary traffic-calming plan for Argyle Avenue on Thursday, proposing two sets of speed cushions between Hillside Avenue and Beach Avenue and recommending the project move forward to a resident ballot.

Birch said NDOT selected Argyle as one of 25 streets in the most recent round after an application-based ranking process. She cited field data collected in 2024 showing an 85th-percentile speed of 39 miles per hour on the block where the posted speed limit is 25 mph and a daily volume of about 366 vehicles. "Based on our experience and review of the street, we think this would be a good plan, but this is open for discussion," Birch said.

The concept calls for two cushion locations spaced roughly 300 feet apart — one just east of Elliott Avenue and another approaching the stop at Beach Avenue — with approximately four cushion pads across the roadway, arrow markings and warning signs. NDOT staff said cushions are typically 3 inches high and about 10.5 feet long and are installed in a series to discourage drivers from accelerating between devices. Birch said cushions are not sited on steep grades or across driveways and are designed so emergency vehicles can safely straddle the gaps.

At the meeting, Birch cited before-and-after results from six previously studied sites, noting average speed reductions (an example in the presentation showed an average speed decline from 31 mph to 22 mph and an 85th-percentile drop from 37 to 25 mph) and described radar feedback signs as an alternative when vertical measures are unsuitable.

Residents who spoke generally supported the proposal but raised operational questions. One resident asked whether four cushions across would reduce parking; Birch replied residents could still park on the cushions and that extending cushions near the curb discourages drivers from going around them. Rachel, a resident at Beach and Argyle, said she was "very excited to see these speed bumps go in" and asked whether striping or delineators could better protect the park entrance and a stop sign that is often ignored; Birch said striping or flexible delineators could be considered after turning-movement analysis.

Birch outlined next steps: NDOT will complete detailed field measurements and contractor-ready plans in the coming months and then mail postcards with unique IDs and QR codes to eligible voters to open a six-week online ballot. Eligible voters include residential properties, churches and schools located in the affected right-of-way; vacant parcels and commercial properties are not eligible. Birch clarified that the 66% approval threshold applies to ballots returned (66% of participating voters), not to the number of postcards mailed.

Birch told attendees she believed there was sufficient consensus to proceed to detailed design and straight to the ballot phase; an unidentified council member encouraged neighbors to talk to one another and vote when postcards arrive. NDOT staff provided the project page on the city tracker and an email contact (n.trafficcalming@nashville.gov) for questions and eligibility concerns. The project will proceed to construction only if the ballot meets the approval threshold and after NDOT schedules materials and contractor availability.