NDOT proposal sends Hasty Drive speed cushions, narrowing to owner ballot after residents report frequent speeding

Chase, an engineer with Moore working with the Metro Nashville traffic calming program, presented a preliminary plan to install two speed cushions and corridor narrowing on Hasty Drive after residents reported frequent speeding and uncomfortable pedestrian interactions. The design will be finalized in the field and then sent to property owners in the corridor for a six-week online ballot; the project moves forward if two-thirds of respondents vote yes.

The proposal matters because, according to meeting presenters, recorded speeds on Hasty Drive were high for a residential street (the presentation recorded a 31 mph high-percentile speed) and roughly 800 vehicles a day use the corridor. Chase said the traffic calming program focuses on engineered countermeasures to reduce speed, which the city sees as the primary factor in severe pedestrian-vehicle crashes.

Chase described the two-cushion layout and corridor narrowing shown to residents and Council member Nash. "We focus on speed reduction," Chase said during the presentation, and he said cushions are commonly used across Nashville because they reduce both average speeds and the high-end speeds that most increase injury risk. The design also includes white stripe shoulders along the corridor to visually narrow travel lanes.

Residents who participated expressed support and concern. Penny Hatcher, a Hasty Drive resident, told presenters there was "a lot of speeding on the street, and all hours of the day," and described repeated uncomfortable interactions with passing vehicles. Amy Burchell, identified as an applicant and present at the prior meeting, raised concerns about children who walk on or live along the street and said drivers appear to use Hasty Drive to bypass nearby Knowlesville Pike, increasing volume and perceived danger.

Presenters reviewed additional tools the program uses, including lane narrowing, bulbouts and chicanes, and explained trade-offs such as placement limits where wider streets or bus routes restrict some measures. Chase said final cushion placement will be determined during a field review planned for the coming days or week, after which final design drawings will be produced.

Chase explained the neighborhood balloting process: parcels in the highlighted ballot zone will receive mailed instructions and a unique ID to cast an online yes/no ballot; voting will be open for six weeks. Residential property owners, churches and schools receive one vote per owner; owners of multiple properties receive only one vote; vacant parcels and businesses are ineligible. The project will proceed only if two-thirds of respondents vote yes.

Next steps listed by presenters were a field visit to refine placement, publication of final plans, and an owner ballot via the city's traffic calming web pages and Engage Nashville survey. Presenters encouraged anyone who believes they should receive a ballot but did not to contact the traffic calming team.

The presentation concluded with contact and survey information and an invitation for further feedback; no formal vote was taken at the meeting itself.