Marks: How to Apply for Traffic Calming

One of the most frequent requests our office receives is for traffic calming.   Many residents want bumps or islands to reduce speeding on local roads.

Any resident can request that the Department of Public Works evaluate the feasibility of a road for traffic calming.  The application is found here.  Once the application is submitted, engineers will determine if the route is suitable for traffic calming (speed bumps, for example, won't be erected on Belair Road).  They will then conduct a test to see if the traffic meets a speed and volume threshold.  If the road qualifies, 75 percent of nearby residents must support the improvements.

Over the past two years, several routes in the Fifth District have qualified for traffic calming, including Baker Lane, eastern Silver Spring Road, Forge Haven Drive and Glen Summit Drive.

The county can't honor every request for traffic calming.  It can cost $30,000 or more to implement some forms of traffic calming, and there is limited money.  If speed bumps were put at every location where residents want them, we would have gridlock.  I have actually had a request for speed bumps and a 30 mile-per-hour speed limit on Belair Road.  Motorists need to be able to get to their destination, but in a safe and responsible manner.  

If you feel your neighborhood needs traffic calming, please go to the link above and complete the application.