Speed humps, speed cushions, speed tables and similar measures that jolt motorists into slowing down are out of fashion in Roswell under a City Council update to the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program.
The decision to declare these devices “non-permitted measures” for public streets was approved on a 3-2 vote, with Council Members Michael Palermo and Marcelo Zapata opposed.
The fire marshal and International Fire Code discourage “vertical deflection measures” because they can interfere with emergency responders and cause other problems, according to a staff report to the council. Exceptions may be made for elevated intersections, crosswalks and trail crossings “with mild-grade approach and departure slopes,” the revised policy says.
Allowable measures include “splitter islands” in the middle of a street to separate opposing traffic; “chicanes” that introduce curves, creating a slalom effect; “neck downs” and “bulb outs” that stick out to reduce or eliminate excessive pavement areas; textured and/or colored pavement treatments; and roundabouts.
The Traffic Calming Program has neighborhoods working with the city to install roadway elements to address speeding of 10 mph or more above the posted limit.
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