Village launches Rio Grande traffic‑calming study to address speed and safety concerns

The Board of Trustees heard a kickoff presentation for a traffic‑calming study focused on Rio Grande Boulevard inside village limits. Consultant Tyler Pennington (Parametrics/Verimetrics) said the study has three phases: update existing conditions (including a five‑year crash history and speed checks across multiple modes), develop conceptual design options that fit existing right‑of‑way, and collect community input to refine feasible solutions.

Pennington described possible measures — pedestrian crossings, speed tables, flashing pedestrian beacons, bike facilities including protected lanes or wider shoulders, medians and chicanes — and said all designs will be conceptual until final design follows the study. He emphasized the importance of community feedback and noted the team will use village speed data, consultant count cams and occasional drone observations to cross‑check results. He said public engagement will include an online survey the village will share via its magazine, website and a QR code the consultant displayed.

Trustees pressed on enforcement and multi‑modal data: Trustee Baldwin asked the team to include equestrian incidents in the crash review; Trustee Reiner and others urged segmenting the corridor so each stretch’s historic character and safety needs can be considered separately. Trustee Edwards raised concerns about whether traffic calming might encourage racers or nuisance drivers without enforcement; Pennington said engineering is only one of the three E’s (engineering, education, enforcement) and noted enforcement will need to be part of the village's response.

Next steps: The consultant expects to report draft existing‑conditions work in April with community feedback and to present conceptual designs in May. The board and consultant agreed to schedule one‑on‑one sessions with trustees.