1. Submit a completed “Sign/Traffic Control/Traffic Calming Request Form” and, if applicable, submit a completed “Neighborhood Petition for Sign/Traffic Calming Device in a Residential Area Form”  to the following address:
   
   Sign/Traffic Control/Traffic Calming Requests
   Department of Public Works
   941 Fir Street
   Waynesboro, VA  22980
   
   
2. If a handicapped parking sign is requested and is to be located on the city right-of-way, it is our policy to make the installation at the city’s cost. Once the handicapped individual has moved or is deceased, the city will remove the sign and post. Please be aware that a handicapped parking space located on the city right-of-way would be available for use by anyone with a handicapped tag.
3. If a handicapped parking sign is requested and is to be located on private property, the city will supply and install the completed sign and post for actual cost of these services and materials plus a 15% overhead charge. The sign becomes the property and responsibility of the property owner.
4. All requests are subject to a review process which includes receipt of comments from the following departments:  Police, ADA, Engineering, Traffic, Streets and the Public Works Director, collectively referred to as the Traffic Safety Concerns Committee (TSCC). Further input might be required from outside agencies such as the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the city’s contracted traffic engineering specialists.
5. TSCC comments are typically reviewed by the Transportation Safety Commission (TSC) in order to provide a citizens’ level of oversight for staff conclusions. Commission meets the Third Monday of January, April, July & October, 5:15 P.M., 941 Fir Street, Waynesboro, VA.
6. In following the Code of the City of Waynesboro, recommendations from the TSC are reviewed for final decision by the City Manager or his representative.
7. If request is approved, a Work Order to perform the applicable work will be created by Public Works.
8. Some requests that do not meet MUTCD code for traffic control signage may be reviewed as a traffic calming request if a legitimate traffic control problem is deemed to exist. The term “traffic calming” is used to describe methods of altering the behavior of drivers to suit the character of the area they move through. The most apt example of this character occurs where a local street is used by motorists as a short cut from one arterial to another. Because cut-through traffic often moves faster than neighborhood traffic and there is a lot more of it, this use can severely degrade the character of the street. Increased volume and increased speed can lead to a more dangerous, less pleasant street and discourages its use by bicyclists, pedestrians and children.
9. If the original request is for a neighborhood to be considered for the traffic calming program, please consider the following questions as you prepare your application:
   1. The location of where the problem is occurring, including the name of the street and the neighborhood. If there are problems on more than one street, then all the streets should be named. If the problem is neighborhood-wide, this should be stated.
   2. The nature of the problem. This should state explicitly if the problem is one of vehicle speed, traffic volume, and/or safety concerns. Be sure to include time of day and whether it is during the week or on weekends.
   3. Evidence of the problem in question. The statement should include more than just “I feel that people are driving too fast.” Instead relate any stories, fears, or specific reasons you feel that people are driving too fast (or too many cars, or too dangerous).
   4. An assessment of the cause of the problem. Does your neighborhood contain a shortcut that people are using? Is there congestion on a nearby arterial that may explain the increased traffic?
   5. Evidence of the extent of the problem. Have you discussed this with others in the neighborhood? Do others feel this is a problem?

The city typically receives the following types of request for sign and traffic control:

• Traffic Control Light
• Stop Signs
• 25 mph Signs
• Enlarged Traffic Control Signs
• No Outlet Signs
• No Trucks Allowed Signs
• 4-Way Stop Signs
• Hidden Driveway Sign
• Handicapped Parking Signs
• No Parking Signs
• Stop Sign Changed to Yield Sign
• Elimination of Left Turn Lanes

Once the City has received the request form, the Transportation Safety Concerns Committee (City staff) and the TSC will conduct a preliminary assessment of the situation. This may include looking at past traffic counts and accident rates, assessing the probability of cut-through traffic on the road, and gathering information on vehicle speeds and volumes through the neighborhood.

The preliminary assessment will be pooled with other requests for traffic calming projects.
The projects will be ranked accordingly to the ranking criteria, and those of top priority will be selected as the following year’s traffic management projects. The number of projects selected each year will depend on funding availability. Those not selected will be notified, and applications will be kept for possible selection the following year.

Public Works staff, and TSC will hold meetings with residents of the affected neighborhood to develop strategies to combat the traffic problems residents are experiencing. This is an opportunity for residents to offer suggestions and for staff to educate the residents and explain the constraints under which the program works. Also, during these meetings,
performance targets to measure the success of the project will be established by consensus of the neighborhood. The “neighborhood” may include any residents or businesses whose access to the primary arterial may be affected by the project. The list of residents will be generated through the city’s Information & Technology Department.

Public Works staff will develop a draft management plan for each project, based on input from the neighborhood and on experience from previous traffic calming projects. The draft plan will undergo technical review, and additional changes may be made based on comments received. The plan will then be reviewed at a neighborhood meeting for consensus.

Public Works may decide to test all or part of an overall strategy recommended by the management plan. A test would be expected to last about sixty days. Notification of the tests will be sent to all residents and businesses in the area and the schedule will be posted to the test site. Tests involving road closures or access restrictions will be posted and sent to newspapers for publication. Results of the tests will be made available to the public.

Traffic Calming Final Decision by City Manager: The Transportation Safety Commission recommendation is reviewed for final decision or for request for further information/action to render a final decision by City Manager.

Traffic Calming Final Procedure: If no test is necessary or if no significant changes are required as a result of testing, Public Works will assemble a final implementation strategy. This will likely include engineering plans for any traffic calming devices, a signing and striping plan, a cost estimate for implementation, and a listing of the performance targets established by the neighborhood. These plans will be made available for review upon request. Construction and/or implementation will begin as soon as plans are complete and approved by the Public Works Director.

After a period of at least 60 days, Public Works will send a survey to residents to measure their satisfaction with the project, and conduct a traffic study to measure the changes in traffic behavior against targets established by the neighborhood. Results of both the survey and test data will be sent to residents. If performance targets are not met and the project is deemed ineffective at addressing the problem, Public Works may act to alter the design of the traffic calming devices or reconvene public meetings to discuss additional steps that may be needed.

Traffic calming strategies will remain in place for a period of at least 18 months, at which time Public Works staff will evaluate their effectiveness based on comments by residents, staff, and the community at large.