Charlotte makes it easier to ask for speed humps, other traffic measures in neighborhoods

The Charlotte City Council on Monday eased requirements for requesting traffic-calming measures, a move that would give renters a greater say.

Previously, 60% of homeowners “within 1,200 feet of a speed bump or stop” would have to sign a petition before the measures could be installed.

The change, which goes into effect immediately, removes the petition process.

“There’s a universal desire from the council to make it easier on citizens in their neighborhoods to help guide the investments that are made to make our roads safer,” said City Council member Larken Egleston during Monday’s meeting. Egleston’s District 1 includes parts of uptown, Dilworth and Plaza Midwood.

The city’s goal is to facilitate equitable opportunities for neighborhoods to calm traffic. City data show that traffic-calming measures — such as multiway stops, speed bumps, and roundabouts — exist more in wealthier neighborhoods south of uptown than in areas with concentrated poverty and more diverse communities.

The idea to update the neighborhood traffic policy came from a recent hearing where organizers expressed discontent with the petition process.

The measure comes as the city continues to implement Vision Zero, an action plan created in 2018 that aims to “eliminate all traffic-related deaths and severe injuries.”

Once a request is made the Charlotte Department of Transportation will send postcards to neighbors detailing any plans to implement a traffic-calming measure. Residents will have 45 days to voice their opposition to the city.

The city updated its traffic policies in 2006 and 2018 to make it easier for residents to dictate traffic measures in their neighborhoods.

“It’s another step in the right direction,” Egleston said.

Traffic calming measures include speed humps, multiway stops, and speed limit reductions. Residents can request a traffic-calming measure servicerequest.charlottenc.gov/service/TRAFCALM or by calling 311.

This story was originally published June 15, 2022 at 6:15 AM.

Charlotte Kramon

The Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Kramon is a news intern for the Charlotte Observer. Originally from Los Angeles, she is a rising junior studying public police and policy journalism and media studies at Duke University. She also covers local politics at The 9th Street Journal. Email her at charlotte.kramon@duke.edu.