REP01777

• Permit No: M1979221
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Name: APPENDIX 12 RECYCLING WOOD CHIPPING INFO
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

_i~Public Works -Neighborhood Traffic Mitigation & Calming
http://www.dougl°s.co.us/DC/PublicWorks/va~c calming.htm
However, a vocal minority of citizens continue to express uneasiness. They refer to their street as
dangerous, or consider the random appearance of a "hot rudder" a menace to neighborhood
• children. Although well-meaning, these people lack understanding of the problem and are prone to
advance a single program or simplistic solution--install more stop signs, build speed bumps, close
streets. In today's society, nothing is that simple. A testament to that fact is the volume of
information and complexity of the programs under experiment in various jurisdictions and
compiled by Carter & Burgess, Inc. for this study.
So, what about excessive speeding? There is, in fact, a huge problem with excessive speeding in
the United States. I do not argue that speeding does not happen, I can however state that at least
on residential streets in Douglas County, speeding is not posing a significant safety risk based on
technical reality.
Specifically, regarding "cut-through" traffic, our Design and Construction Standards includes a
hierarchy of streets that is effectively discouraging through traffic in residential neighborhoods. At
the heart of the question of "cut-through" traffic are two issues:
1. definition ofcut-through traffic
2. dimension of a neighborhood
The definition we use views cut-through traffic as traffic that intrudes into a residential subdivision
to avoid congestion or other problem from an arterial or other high level street.
• For the purpose of residential traffic citizens tend to narrow the dimension of a neighborhood to a
small unit often concerned only with close to home neighbors who they believe share their
interests. Public Works takes a larger view, seeing the "neighborhood" as a political settlement
where problems can effect thousands or hundreds of people. Setting boundaries for specific issues
is complicated, and traffic engineers need to consider these matters as plans are developed.
Overall, I think it is fair to say that the concern for safety on residential streets has been a guiding
factor in the street designs for newer subdivisions in Douglas County. Based on statistics,
neighborhoods claiming a safety problem essentially have an emotional belief in seazch of
supporting data. However, the perception of unsafe traffic in neighborhoods continues to exist and
there are real conflicts that do occur among street users. Driving is risky. There is a certain level of
uncertainty. Citizens' perceptions are based largely on what will happen, not on what has
happened or is happening.
Before this problem can be solved, it needs to be understood. Today, roads are safer, cars are
safer. Human behavior is the main cause of more than 90% of all serious accidents. That being
said, isn't it also fair to say that traffic safety should not be seen as the sole concern of local
government. Since everyone participates in traffic, doesn't the responsibility of safety lie with all of
us.
Individual Responsibility
I have attended hundreds of meetings where traffic safety has been discussed. In almost every
• meeting participants ask questions or make comments concerning the poor behavior of other
people driving cars. Why aze people so reckless? I have read many research papers, reports, and
articles written by noted scientists, philosophers, engineers and psychologists explaining this
phenomenon. These experts point out the unreliability of humans, the physiological, psychological,
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