Laserfiche WebLink
City of Des Plaines Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy <br />Page 4 of 4 <br />Speed humps are the most widely used of the physical traffic calming measures due to the <br />relatively low cost, relative ease of implementation, and effectiveness in slowing vehicles <br />when applied properly. However, they also tend to be the most controversial, even with <br />residents living on the street where the humps are applied, due to the hassle and the <br />braking /accelerating noise from vehicles. In addition, among the traffic calming measures, <br />speed humps tend to have the greatest adverse impact upon ambulances and the larger fire <br />department vehicles. For this reason, there is a standard list of street types, used by <br />municipalities across the country, where speed humps are not allowed. This full list is <br />included in the policy document. <br />Speed Bumps <br />Speed bumps cannot be used on streets but they do have some application for parking lots <br />and alleys. They are generally 1 -foot wide and 6 inches high. <br />Diagonal Diverters, Partial Intersection Closures, and Cul -de -sacs <br />Each of these measures is intended to fully or partially close access to a street. They are to <br />be measures of last resort both due to their expense and because they, by their nature, <br />fracture the connectivity of the street network. Diversion of traffic to other local streets is <br />an inherent issue with closures. <br />OTHER OPTIONS <br />Education (Public Relations) <br />This technique can involve a range of activities from newspaper articles to neighborhood <br />involvement. <br />Arterial Improvement <br />One way to minimize cut through traffic is to review the arterial street system to ensure <br />that it is working as efficiently as possible. However, most arterials are owned and <br />maintained by either the Illinois Department of Transportation or the Cook County Highway <br />Department. In addition, many arterials or intersections are operating at or above their <br />design capacity due to the steady increase in vehicle ownership and "vehicle miles traveled" <br />throughout the region. Even if funding were available, there is often not a way to feasibly <br />increase the capacity at these locations. Nonetheless, the City will work with the various <br />agencies regarding any potential arterial or signal improvements in problem areas. <br />