Status (February 2023)

The Neighborhood Traffic Calming (NTC) program is currently undergoing an update to the NTC Handbook, as denoted in the City Council Work Plan. The update is being undertaken by staff with guidance from the Citizen Advisory Committee on Transportation (CACT).

The NTC program is currently primarily focused on the ongoing Greenway Downs Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety project. Other NTC projects are temporarily on pause at this time. New projects are being accepted and placed into the queue behind the paused cases.

What is Traffic Calming?

Traffic calming is a procedure designed to improve quality of life and increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists by reducing motor vehicle speeds and/or volumes.

The traffic calming toolbox includes a wide range of measures. This includes informational measures, such as education and signage. It also includes physical measures, such as speed humps and curb extensions.

How Was the Neighborhood Traffic Program Developed?

The City has had a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program as far back as 2005. The City has updated the Program twice, first in November 2011 and more recently in February 2015. Each update is designed to improve program effectiveness and efficiency.

How Can My Neighborhood Apply for Traffic Calming?

Information regarding the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program is available in the Program Handbook. For more information about the Program or to submit an application, contact Jeff Sikes, 703-248-5296 (TTY 711).

In short, the steps are:

1. Contact the City's Neighborhood Traffic Calming program coordinator, Jeff Sikes, via email or 703-248-5296 (TTY 711).
2. After speaking with the community member, the City will determine the study area for the request.
3. Staff will then determine with the request can be handled administratively or if it needs to go through a public engagement process.
4. If a larger process is required, the community member will then distribute a petition in the study area to ensure that there is neighborhood support. The petition will also ask for volunteers for the project working group.
5. Once 51% of the study area (as determined by the City) has signed the petition, City staff will collect data like vehicle volume, vehicle speed, on-street parking utilization, and sight distance limitations.
6. City staff will then assign priority using metrics.
7. The Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation will assign a queue to the case and whether the case can be addressed by light solutions (lane painting, signage, etc.) or heavy solutions (speed humps, curb extensions, etc.).