Westside Neighborhood Traffic Study
In response to traffic concerns raised by residents of the Westside neighborhood, the City conducted a neighborhood traffic study to evaluate these concerns and provide recommendations for a neighborhood-wide traffic plan. The City hired a consulting firm specializing in traffic engineering to carry out this study.
The Westside neighborhood is located north and west of the Central Business District in the area bounded by Spring Avenue to the north, Jackson Avenue to the south, Washington Street to the east, and Douglas Avenue to the west. It is primarily residential and includes two schools: Naper Elementary and Washington Junior High.
The City's traffic engineering consultant was tasked with developing a Traffic Calming Toolkit, which consists of measures that can be applied to the Westside neighborhood, as well as other neighborhoods, to address vehicle speeds and volumes within residential areas.
- Next steps
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Implement Westside Neighborhood Traffic Study Recommendations (to be completed in 2023)
Before the 2021-22 school year began, City staff implemented all recommendations involving the surrounding area of the two neighborhood schools, as well as those involving walk-to-school routes. Due to material shortages, pavement markings will be completed in summer 2022. Curb extensions that will make pedestrians crossing the street more visible are the final improvement and will be added in 2023.
- Completed Tasks
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Present Report to City Council (winter 2021)
The Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) reviewed the recommendations. They were then presented to the City Council at its Feb. 16, 2021, meeting.Review and Approve Traffic Calming Toolkit (winter 2021)
The Traffic Calming Toolkit was presented to the Transportation Advisory Board at its Feb. 4, 2021, meeting. After approval by TAB, the recommendations were presented to the City Council for review and approval.Review Recommendations With Public Comments (winter 2021)
The Transportation Advisory Board reviewed the recommendations at its Jan. 7, 2021, meeting.Analysis and Recommendations (summer/fall 2020)
The consultant analyzed the data, existing conditions and community concerns and developed a recommended plan of improvements for the neighborhood. The City presented these recommendations to the public at a virtual meeting on Oct. 29, 2020. Attendees had the opportunity to ask the project team about the analysis and recommendations and provide feedback on the recommendations. You can access meeting materials in the column at right.Review Existing Conditions (March/April 2019)
The study team reviewed the traffic concerns collected from residents, businesses, drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians who live, travel or do business within the study area. The team then analyzed existing conditions, including posted speed limits, intersection traffic control, parking restrictions, crash history, signage and school traffic control plans.Data Collection (April 2019)
The study team collected traffic data, such as vehicle volumes, vehicle speeds, pedestrian counts, bicycle counts, school traffic operations, parking utilization and overall traffic observations within the study area.