Traffic Calming

Traffic Calming

The Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) staff and the Traffic Calming Task Force developed the Collier County Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) to provide a process for identifying and addressing problems related to speeding motorists, excessive traffic volumes, and safety on local streets (identified as residential or minor collector streets).

Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) Manual(PDF, 3MB)

A NTMP project often involves the installation of traffic-calming devices. For any traffic calming measures to be effective, they need to be implemented as part of a strategic approach extending beyond an individual street. The goal is to effectively manage traffic over an area, rather than only looking at issues at an isolated location. The approach must also be compatible with existing and future street activities and adjacent land uses.

The NTMP has the following guidelines established to evaluate the severity of identified problems:

• Minimum Vehicular Volume (local residential): Daily traffic volumes greater than 2,000 vehicles per day or Peak Hour greater than 200.
• Speed (local residential): More than 85% of automobiles are driving at least 5 MPH over the posted speed limit.

According to Florida Statutes § 316.183 (2) the maximum speed limit for all vehicles on residential streets is 30 miles per hour. A reduction of the permitted maximum speed limit requires a speed limit study and approval from the Board of County Commissioners.

Traffic calming measures have the potential to create controversy, so it is recommended that their installation occur as the final step of a three-step process referred to as the "three E's" (education, enforcement, and engineering).

Traffic-calming projects on public streets are required to assume the following process:

• Follow the NTMP Manual and complete an application.
• Residents must acquire signatures from at least 10% of the households along the affected roadway that desire a traffic calming study to be conducted.
• The Transportation Engineering Division will secure traffic data from field collection.
• County staff will analyze the data and if it supports action, a neighborhood meeting/workshop will be scheduled.
• If education and enforcement do not bring the desired results, the County will look into potential engineering options.
• All the residents must be notified of any proposed traffic calming actions and at least 51% of the area's homeowners must agree to the need for traffic-calming devices to be installed.
• Assuming the homeowners approve of the proposed traffic calming devices, County staff will then request approval to install the devices from the Board of County Commissioners (BCC).

Homeowners requesting calming devices along private streets are required to fund those installations and are subject to a separate process. Please refer to the NTMP Manual(PDF, 3MB) for a complete review of traffic calming issues and mitigating measures.