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Selma accepts tactical urbanism safety study after pilots show speed reductions near schools
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Summary
The City of Selma accepted a tactical urbanism report that tested low-cost safety measures—bulb-outs, zigzag striping, rumble "bot" dots and speed cushions—reporting roughly 16–17% more vehicles traveling at or under 35 mph at pilot sites; council accepted the study to bolster future grant applications for permanent work.
The Selma City Council voted April 21 to accept a tactical urbanism report and pilot-study results presented by A & M Consulting Engineers that tested temporary, low-cost traffic-calming measures at several high-priority intersections.
Javier Andrade of A & M described the pilot program and data collection: temporary curb extensions, flexible posts and painted “bot dots” were installed at Thompson and Lewis; zigzag or “zebra” markings were used at another site; and thematic crosswalks and hardened centerlines were tested near schools. "After we installed the bulb-outs, we had 16% more vehicles traveling under 35 [mph]," Andrade said, summarizing measured drops in the number of vehicles exceeding the 35 mph threshold that the team used as a safety benchmark.
Staff and consultant presentations emphasized that lowering speeds below 35 mph materially reduces the risk of severe or fatal pedestrian collisions. The pilot program paired engineering treatments with enforcement and education—"the 4 E’s"—and included community participation (students and police painted markings at several sites).
Residents and several council members praised the pilots but raised maintenance and operational concerns: several painted features faded and some temporary buttons (flexible markers) detached; council asked staff to consider more durable thermal- or permanent pavement treatments for long-term installations and to work with public works for upkeep. Parents and volunteers described near-misses involving children and urged faster deployment of permanent protections near schools.
Councilmembers discussed emergency-response tradeoffs tied to speed cushions. Staff told the council that Botstot rumble strips and permanent pavement treatments can achieve similar speed reductions with less impact on emergency vehicle response times than classical speed bumps. The staff presentation identified funding pathways—HSIP, Safe Routes to School, Active Transportation Program and other grant programs—and recommended using the pilot report to make future grant applications more competitive.
The council accepted the study and authorized staff to use it in pursuit of grant funding and design of permanent improvements where appropriate.
Next steps: staff will prioritize pilot sites for permanent designs, pursue funding using the report as supporting evidence, and evaluate more durable materials for high-wear locations.
