Neighborhood Traffic Calming

Neighborhood Traffic Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Traffic Calming” mean?  

Traffic Calming is a term commonly associated with physical features such as: speed humps, curb extensions (bulb-outs), and chicanes (added curves). They are installed on the road to reduce the speeds at which vehicles travel, to discourage through traffic, to improve traffic safety, and to improve comfort levels for all road users. 

Why is it important?  

Urban sprawl and automobile dependency have resulted in significant traffic growth throughout North America. These trends in automobile travel can place considerable strain on the roadway network’s ability to safely accommodate all users within the public right-of-way. In many cases, a lack of arterial road capacity will cause motorists to choose collectors and local roads to bypass a congested turning movement, intersection or corridor. This inappropriate use of neighborhood streets can have the following negative effects:  

• Arterial road congestion can cause motorists to look for parallel or alternative routes to reach their destinations. These parallel/alternative roads then begin to take on greater traffic volumes and function in ways that were not intended at the time of planning. For example, a local road or collector becomes a mid-block arterial bypass; 
• Motorists operate vehicles at speeds which are not appropriate for the residential roadway and/or the roadside environment; 
• The safety of all road users is decreased due to volume, speed and other compliance issues; and/or 
• Resources are called upon to provide frequent enforcement of numerous problem areas.  

In general, the above impacts typically occur in older established neighborhoods next to busy traffic areas. However, traffic issues can also occur in newer subdivisions depending on the road network and adjacent activities. 

What are the goals of traffic calming?  

Traffic calming may help to reduce vehicle speeds, the amount of non-local traffic that passes through a neighborhood, collision severity and frequency, and the negative effects of motorized vehicles on the environment. 

Can we simply reduce the speed limit to slow speeding traffic? 

No, Los Gatos has set the posted speed limit with good reasons in mind including, road characteristics, traffic mix, collision history, and road function. 

Why can’t stop signs be installed? 

Stop signs are considered traffic control devices and not traffic calming measures. They are intended to control the flow of traffic at an intersection and assign right-of-way. Traffic noise and speeds may increase with the introduction of a stop sign. Standard engineering thresholds are applied to determine if a stop sign is “warranted.” Unwarranted stop signs are more likely to be ignored by motorists and have been found to lead to increased collisions.