Traffic Calming
- Traffic Calming Policy
- Traffic Calming Needs Assessment Application: Electronic-version or Download the PDF
- Traffic Calming Needs Assessment Supplemental Signature Form
- Traffic Calming Process Flowchart
- Traffic Calming Measures Examples – Intersection
- Traffic Calming Measures Examples – Midblock
It is the policy of the City of Savannah to reduce the speed and/or volume of traffic through the modification of driver behavior in our neighborhoods. The goal of the Traffic Calming Policy is to maintain or improve safety and resident quality of life and livability by reducing the impact of vehicular traffic on residential neighborhood streets by modifying driver behavior through education, enforcement, and engineered traffic calming solutions.
The purpose of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (NTCP) is to reduce crashes, traffic volumes and/or speeds; thereby improving pedestrian safety and creating more pleasant neighborhoods for the citizens of Savannah. Although neighborhood traffic concerns generally relate to excessive speed, pedestrian and bicycle safety, cut-through traffic, crashes, and general quality of life issues, this program recognizes the uniqueness of neighborhoods and that the critical issues and concerns vary from case to case.
The primary objective of the Transportation Services' Traffic Engineering Division is to move vehicles in a safe and efficient manner. The purpose of this Traffic Calming Policy is to both support that objective and address other quality of life concerns as they relate to vehicular traffic in neighborhoods.
About Traffic Calming
Traffic Calming involves physical alterations to road geometry to reduce vehicle speeds and/or decrease cut-through traffic volume, as a means to improve safety for all users.
Traffic calming goals include:
- to slow traffic;
- to reduce cut-through traffic volumes;
- to make streets safer, in general;
- to make streets safer particularly for pedestrians and cyclists; and
- to improve quality of life.
Traffic calming objectives include:
- achieving slow speeds for motor vehicles,
- reducing collision frequency and severity,
- increasing the safety and the perception of safety for non-motorized users of the street(s),
- reducing the need for police enforcement,
- enhancing the street environment (e.g., streetscaping),
- encouraging water infiltration into the ground,
- increasing access for all modes of transportation, and
- reducing cut-through motor vehicle traffic.
Traffic Calming vs. Traffic Control
While both traffic control devices and traffic calming measures may have common purposes (slowing traffic, channelizing traffic, etc.), they are different:
- Traffic control devices are signs, signals, and markings intended to communicate (regulate, warn, or guide) with drivers
- Traffic calming measures are physical aspects of the design of the roadway (traffic circles, chicanes, medians, etc.)
Savannah Specific Considerations
- Narrow parcels
- On-street parking
- Offset driveways
- Conflicting infrastructure
- Manholes
- Stormwater inlets
- Fire hydrants
- Flooded streets/intersections/parcels
Neighborhood Masterplans
Traffic Calming Committee
James (Mickey) Rountree, Jr., Mayor’s Appointee
Gloria Williams, District 1 Appointee
Jamie Parks, District 2 Appointee
Rubin Huckabee, District 3 Appointee
Caila Brown, District 4 Appointee
Mable Hudson, District 5 Appointee
Vacant, District 6 Appointee
Matthew Hallett, At-Large Post 1 Appointee
Latasha Barnes, At-Large Post 2 Appointee