Council reviews 19‑tool neighborhood traffic‑calming toolbox and asks for timing, studies and community outreach

City staff on Wednesday presented a draft Neighborhood Traffic Calming Toolbox that catalogues 19 measures — from striping and curb extensions to mini‑roundabouts, chicanes, speed cushions and full‑street closures — intended to guide short‑ and long‑term responses to local traffic and pedestrian‑safety concerns.

Public Works Director Julian Lee and Transportation Program Manager Bassam Abitawi said the toolbox follows Federal Highway Administration and Institute of Transportation Engineers guidance and groups measures by horizontal deflection, vertical deflection, lane‑width reduction and routing restrictions. Abitawi described typical uses, advantages, disadvantages and order‑of‑magnitude costs for each tool and noted that some measures are well suited to temporary trials while others require full engineering studies and significant funding.

Councilmembers pressed for additions to the staff materials: an estimate of implementation time for each tool, clearer indicators of which measures require formal studies or certification, and a plan for neighbor notification and follow-up evaluation when temporary installations are used. "Non‑physical measures can also be an effective part of a comprehensive traffic calming program and should be considered as a supplement," Abitawi said, and reiterated that community engagement is integral to successful deployments.

Staff said several traffic studies are already under way in parts of the city and that a prioritization and budget plan will follow. No formal motion was taken; staff will revise the toolbox to include timing and study requirements and return with adoption language as part of an updated Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan.