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Urbana Public Works outlines new traffic-request workflow, prioritization and traffic-calming options
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Summary
Public Works presented a new intake workflow using OpenGov EAM to track traffic requests, explained engineering review and criteria (including MUTCD guidance) and discussed traffic-calming tools—noting staffing limits, a backlog of ~2,000 requests and plans to add speed-feedback signs near schools.
Public Works described a redesigned intake and tracking workflow for traffic concerns and requests, emphasizing a centralized work-order system (OpenGov EAM), an engineering review step and a clear path to traffic-commission review and council action when ordinances are required.
Staff said incoming requests are routed into the EAM work-order management system, screened for immediate threats to public safety, and then subjected to an engineering review that considers crash reports, sight-distance, MUTCD warrants and local ordinances. "If we go to the manual and it says that this sign is not warranted in this type of location, then we would know we can't do this, and it's an immediate response to the requester that no further action will be taken, and here's why," a Public Works speaker said.
When an engineering determination requires regulatory action—such as traffic-sign schedule updates, no-parking zones or stop-sign enactment—items are sent to the Traffic Commission (an advisory body composed of the city traffic engineer or designee, the police chief or designee, and a council member) for recommendation; council then enacts ordinances where needed.
Staff acknowledged the department is building the process and cited capacity constraints: the EAM system has been live for roughly a year and a half and staff have logged nearly 2,000 total requests in that time. That backlog and current staffing levels can delay responses, Public Works said, but staff pledged to document decisions in the EAM entry and to establish timeline goals for response and follow-up with requesters.
On speed and calming measures, Public Works said signage alone has limited long-term effect on driver behavior and that geometric or design changes are often more effective. The department is evaluating traffic-calming treatments and said it has used speed-feedback signs around many schools and is pursuing additional installations via grants and CIP allocations.
Council members urged clearer communication to constituents about request status and appeals processes. Staff said any requester can bring an item to Traffic Commission if they disagree with an engineering determination and that the commission must reach a unanimous recommendation (including support from the city engineer/designee) before forwarding to council.
Public Works asked council to help route follow-up inquiries to named staff if residents have not received responses. The department committed to improved documentation and the development of response-time goals to reduce the backlog and improve transparency.
Next steps include staff follow-up on older requests (searching prior spreadsheets and Lucidie records where available), clarifying the appeal path to Traffic Commission and mapping priority timelines for responses in EAM.
