TO: TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
FROM: MARIA B. TIPPING, CITY ENGINEER
DATE: JUNE 26, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY-UPDATED TOOLBOX STUDY SESSION
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SUMMARY
The City adopted a Traffic Calming Policy (Attachment A) on June 8, 1999, to provide a combination of policy and measures to reduce the impacts of traffic and improve the livability of residential neighborhoods. The policy provides a systematic approach to evaluating residents’ concerns associated with speeding traffic on residential streets.
To ensure that the Policy elements remain current, staff has been working with Advantec Consulting Engineers to update the available traffic calming measures to reflect most up-to-date options to addressing traffic calming. Staff reviewed the updated traffic calming measures, presented in the Traffic Calming Toolbox (Attachment B), and is now asking for Commission and community feedback on the Toolbox. It should be noted that potential updates to the Policy itself will ultimately require City Council approval, but will be presented to the Commission first once desired changes to the policy are identified.
At tonight’s meeting, staff is facilitating a study session on the updated Traffic Calming Toolbox to gather feedback from the public and the Commission on the proposed updated Toolbox. This feedback will be shared with the consultant to continue with the task of updating the current Policy’s available traffic calming measures.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Traffic and Transportation Commission review the Traffic Calming Toolbox, gather public comment and provide feedback to staff to be shared with the consultant for Toolbox update consideration.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
The cost associated with the preparation of this staff report is estimated at One Thousand One Hundred Six Dollars ($1,106) and is included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
The cost to update the Traffic Calming Policy is Thirty-Two Thousand Dollars ($32,000) and is included in the Engineering’s operating budget.
ANALYSIS
Background
The City Council adopted the Traffic Calming Policy in 1999 to help residents address concerns regarding speeding traffic in residential neighborhoods. The Policy set forth the process and criteria for considering implementing traffic calming measures on public streets. The Policy only applies to requests initiated by residents.
The current Policy contains a list of acceptable traffic calming measures which are being updated to ensure the options offered for consideration are consistent with current industry standards and modern practices. To ensure that options available keep up with more current trends, staff has been working with Advantec Consulting Engineers to update the list of traffic calming options available to the public.
Further, traffic calming is one of the City Council's priorities, stated as the following task: “Assess traffic calming measures including street infrastructure and design, as well as additional enforcement by the Police Department.” The updated Toolbox will serve as a valuable resource for continuing the traffic calming program.
Traffic Calming Toolbox
At tonight’s meeting, staff requests that the Traffic and Transportation Commission (TTC) conduct a study session to evaluate the new proposed Traffic Calming Toolbox, provide comments, and gather public feedback to facilitate the continuance of the Policy update process.
The proposed Traffic Calming Toolbox include tier improvements that range in scale and cost, as follows:
• Tier I Improvements: this type of improvement will be the first to consider
• Tier II Improvements: in-roadway aesthetics and approach improvements
• Tier III A Improvements: street width reduction (narrowing)
• Tier III B Improvements: horizontal deflection
• Tier III C Improvements: vertical deflection
Tier IV improvements involving re-routing restrictions were evaluated and excluded because they don’t meet the Policy’s fundamental principles.
Next Steps
The feedback received at the TTC will be shared with the consultant for additional review and consideration. Progressive changes to the Toolbox will be brought back to the TTC for additional review.
Updates to the Policy are also being considered. Engineering staff will gather internal feedback from the City Manager’s Office and the Police Department to determine whether the evaluation criteria set forth in the current Policy needs to be reconsidered.
The Policy is not up for discussion at tonight’s meeting. Once an internal review is completed and direction is provided, staff will bring an item to the TTC with an update on the Policy itself.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact Commission Secretary, Nadia Ramirez at nramirez@claremontca.gov.
Submitted by:
Maria B. Tipping, PE
City Engineer
Attachments:
A - Traffic Calming Policy
B - Traffic Calming Toolbox