with poll: Traffic calming projects successful in Ann Arbor, but lack of funding has slowed program

Cawley said the city has about seven traffic-calming projects, which can include features like speed bumps, raised intersections and lane narrowing, in the works right now. But their implementation could be delayed because funding for the program has been reduced due to city budget cutbacks.

The city was able to take on a number of traffic-calming projects last year, but it had to tap both the 2008-09 and the 2009-10 fiscal year budgets to do so. The budget for traffic calming projects has since shrunk from about $50,000 to $21,900.

With a backlog of projects to complete, the city has stopped accepting applications from residents for traffic calming-projects in neighborhoods for now, Cawley said.

"We may need to fund them in a different way because I think the demand is still there," he said. "We still get calls on a regular basis about residential speeding problems."

Traffic-calming projects are initiated by a petition of residents in a particular neighborhood and require support from 60 percent of residents before a project can move forward.

Cawley said the city may start asking residents to pay a share or the whole of costs for future projects — possibly through a special assessment — as other communities have done.

Last year, the city undertook four traffic-calming projects on Maplewood Avenue, Devonshire Road, Gladstone Avenue and Jewett Avenue.

The results of a recent traffic study indicate speed reductions of 6 to 9 mph — to levels below the anticipated 30 mph (25 mph speed limit plus 5 mph).

The Maplewood project, between Packard and Oakwood, included three speed bumps and one raised intersection at a cost of $18,809. That reduced speeds from 30 mph to 22 mph.

The Devonshire project, between Londonderry and Arlington, included two speed bumps at a cost of $4,177. That reduced speeds from 31 mph to 25 mph.

The Gladstone project, between Packard and Independence, included one raised intersection at cost of $9,690. That reduced speeds from 31 mph to 25 mph.

The Jewett project, between Packard and South Industrial, included four speed bumps and one raised intersection at a cost of $16,720. That reduced speeds from 31 mph to 22 mph.

In addition to the speed study, city officials surveyed the residents in the project areas to find out how satisfied they were with the improvements. The Maplewood project received a 53 percent approval rating, while 35 percent of responders were dissatisfied. "Besides slowing down drivers, there’s a lot less traffic cutting through," one person wrote. "Humps not big enough. People still drive through too quickly," another wrote.

The Devonshire project also received a 53 percent approval rating, while 35 percent of responders were dissatisfied. "Need more speed humps. At least 3 more to prevent speed up after momentary slowing," one person wrote.

"They are a real nuisance when driving to & from work. Please remove. The cars do not drive any slower," another person wrote.

The Gladstone project received a 56 approval rating, while 41 percent of responders were dissatisfied. "It was a watered-down compromise that accomplished little. I think the city would’ve been better off not doing anything and saving the money," one person wrote.

Crossing guards at King Elementary School wait for a gap in traffic before letting fellow students cross Waldenwood Drive earlier this year. Parents have been concerned about traffic issues in the area, but the city has not agreed it's a major problem.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

"Raised platform is very low and does not slow cars very well," another person wrote. However, another concluded: "Major improvement."

The Jewett project received a 78 percent approval rating, while 22 percent of responders were dissatisfied. "The 'bumps' have been very effective. Thank you!" one person wrote. "I can get to my mailbox without getting run over," said another. Another called it a "waste of money."

Ann Arbor resident Susan Evett recently wrote the city to express her opinion on the improvements on Gladstone Avenue, which she called "completely unnecessary and a waste of government funds." She said a large percentage of her neighborhood showed up to discuss the project and there was "mostly anti-bump" sentiment.

"The city has FAR better things to work on (like simple road repairs) than attending ... the wants of a very few people on a 3-block street that is in no measure a 'cut-through' from anywhere to anywhere else," she wrote in her e-mail.

A list on the City of Ann Arbor's website, which appears not completely up to date, shows 17 traffic calming projects that are either completed or in progress.

Among the requirements for the city to undertake a traffic-calming project is that the average daily traffic must be at least 200 vehicles and no more than 4,000. Also, 85 percent of drivers on the street must be traveling at least 5 mph over the posted speed limit, and the street must not be a designated truck route or a primary emergency route.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.