Traffic Management is simply the modification of a roadway to discourage usage by a large number of vehicles which travel at higher than residential area speeds. We have been extremely successful with the installation of traffic calming devices by lowering speeds and reducing volumes. Acceptance of the devices has been due to the fact that neighborhood associations are informed and involved in the decision making process.
The Traffic Engineering Division representative chairs the County's Traffic Management Team. The Team consists of representatives from the following Broward County Agencies: Broward Sheriff's Office Regional Operations, Districts Five and Nine, Urban Planning and Redevelopment, Highway Construction & Engineering, Mass Transit, Office of Environmental Services, Highways and Bridge Maintenance, Traffic Engineering, Department of Planning and Environmental Protection, and the Florida Department of Transportation - Traffic Operations (District Four). The Team's function is to assist unincorporated residential neighborhoods, that are experiencing traffic problems with speeding and/or cut-through traffic, in mitigating these factors and promote liveable neighborhood issues.
The process of obtaining a traffic management study for an unincorporated neighborhood begins with a phone call or e-mail. Information required includes: contact person name, address and phone number, along with the problems they are experiencing and on which roadways.
The next step is to collect and analyze the data which includes traffic volume and speed on selected roadways. In addition to machine counts, field observations are conducted which may include the following: conceptual drawings (to be used in-house for referral to the roadway conditions, sidewalks, street light poles, fire hydrants, canals, etc.); observe the general characteristics of the area; and determine patterns used by motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. This information is helpful when discussing the issues with the Team regarding proposed solutions to speeding and/or cut through traffic experienced within the community, where applicable.
Staff attend Homeowner's Association meetings to hear their issues and present possible solutions using the previously collected data. Through these discussions, the Association membership and the Team make joint recommendations. The neighborhood association is required to obtain signatures from a minimum of sixty-seven percent of the residents in favor of traffic calming measures, within the affected area. This petition must be received and verified prior to the installation of any temporary and/or permanent structure. Staff also request that an article be placed in their newsletter, notifying everyone of the pending changes. Staff coordinate and supervise temporary and/or permanent traffic calming measures to be installed and/or removed for conformity to the approved neighborhood plan.
The Broward County Traffic Management Manual is available upon request, by writing to the address below, by e-mail to llaskin@broward.org or by phone at (954) 847-2671.
Traffic Management Team
Broward County Traffic Engineering Division
2300 West Commercial Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
Traffic Calming
Traffic Calming, sometimes referred to as Traffic Management, is simply the modification of a roadway to discourage useage by large numbers of vehicles which travel at higher than residential area speeds. It is seen as a long-term goal to redirect traffic to more efficient thoroughfares allowing our neighborhoods to maintain it's residential character.
Roadway modifications may include, but are not limited to, speed humps, roundabouts, chicanes, diagonal diverters, modified intersections and/or a combination of two or more treatments.