Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Vancouver’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
The City of Vancouver’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program offers community members the opportunity to champion projects that reduce residential speeding and improve livability through a competitive selection process for funding and implementation. Funding for the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program is available through a combination of Real Estate Excise Tax (REET), Transportation Benefit District (TBD) fees and multiple other revenue sources, providing a 2023 approximate budget of $300,000. Project costs are coordinated through several different strategies and partnerships within City departments to maximize cost efficiencies. Check out program details for the 2023 Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. Questions can be sent to: TrafficCalmingProgram@cityofvancouver.us.
Program submissions are collected during the first part of each year. Traffic calming applications will be accepted January 1 to February 28, 2023. The application period for 2023 is now closed.
10 Year Retrospective
Take a look back at the past 10 years of Vancouver’s Traffic Calming Program. In 2013, the program was revitalized and over the last 10 years, more than 40 safety and traffic calming projects have been funded and implemented!
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Proposal Guidelines
- Residents/neighborhood associations may submit only one application per program year.
- A project proponent must be identified to champion the project idea through the entire process. If there is no project proponent, a project location will not be considered for the program.
- Preliminary project cost estimates will be capped between approximately $120,000 to $150,000 per project; the program does provide some flexibility to allow for comprehensive projects that most effectively address the identified safety issue.
- Infrastructure projects (proposals that include adding a traffic calming device or structure onto or in the street) will be limited to only residential and collector arterial streets.
- Principal arterials will not be considered for the program. Principal arterials are typically reviewed, evaluated and considered through the City’s work with other existing programs.
- All projects must meet speed/volume criteria and demonstrate resident support.
Traffic Calming Resources
We appreciate your interest in traffic safety for your neighborhood. Review the resources and information below to help you slow, or calm, residential traffic.
Submit Concerns to Vancouver Police Department’s Traffic Complaint Hotline
Use VPD’s Traffic Hotline or Traffic Complaint Form to submit your concerns. Both are maintained by the Vancouver Police Department and allow residents to record information regarding specific traffic issues. In your message, provide the location of the problem, date and time (include a 30 minute to 1 hour window when the issue occurs). Call the Traffic Hotline at 360-487-7402 or submit your traffic incident or complaint online. This form is for VPD use and is not directly connected to the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program.
Work with Fellow Neighbors
Community members are encouraged to connect with their City-recognized neighborhood association to identify problem areas and concerns. You may pursue traffic calming solutions on your own or with neighbors on your street who express interest in helping.
Learn about the City’s Transportation System Plan
The City’s Transportation Plan (TSP) evaluates the needs of our growing community, and public input is encouraged. Share how Vancouver’s transportation system currently works for you and what changes you would like to see in the future.
Place a Free Slow Down Yard Sign
Free yard signs are available for Vancouver residents to place in front of their homes as a reminder to passing motorists to obey posted speed limits. The signs are designed to be placed on private property, typically in front or side yards, and act as an educational and awareness tool. Signs are available for individual use within the City of Vancouver limits only and are offered in English, Spanish or Russian. You can use this interactive map to determine if your street is within City limits.
Pick up free signs at Vancouver City Hall, 415 West 6th Street. Drop by during the week – the lobby is open is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Check in at the security desk and get a couple of signs for your street.
Paint a Street Mural
Street murals can help calm traffic by adding visual interest to a neighborhood street or intersection. Often, residents come together with an idea to paint a mural or design on the roadway to promote a sense of community pride, belonging, and fun in the neighborhood.
Attend a Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance Meeting
The Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance (NTSA) is a group of volunteers from Vancouver neighborhoods who advocate for traffic safety throughout the community. Vancouver residents are encouraged to participate in the NTSA to learn more about traffic safety in their neighborhoods and become more involved in making the City a safer place to live.
Participate in the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
The City of Vancouver, in partnership with the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance, offers the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program to help residents apply for funding through a competitive process to help slow neighborhood traffic. The program encourages residents to take the initiative when seeking traffic calming solutions for their neighborhoods. This program is the process through which neighbors with traffic concerns can champion a project (like speed cushions or speed radar feedback signs) to evaluate traffic conditions at their location and then work with City staff to determine the appropriate design or community solution to address issues. The program accepts applications during the first part of each year, so please watch this page for details.
Program Background and Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance
City of Vancouver and NTSA offer program to help residents slow neighborhood traffic
In March of 2013, the City of Vancouver, working in conjunction with the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance (NTSA), launched the revitalized Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, with tips and possible project opportunities for residents seeking to slow local traffic while creating a more livable community.
The City and the NTSA, an organization of volunteers from Vancouver’s neighborhoods who advocate for neighborhood traffic safety, worked jointly on developing this program. The City had previously phased out its Neighborhood Traffic Management Program in 2010 due to limited resources and budget shortfalls, but continued to look for innovative ways to help neighborhoods throughout Vancouver address traffic and speeding concerns. Collaborative efforts of NTSA leaders and city staff have led to this program.
NTSA: What is it?
The Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance (NTSA) is a group community volunteers from Vancouver’s neighborhoods who advocate for neighborhood traffic safety and offer input to Vancouver’s Public Works Department, Community Development Department, and other transportation-related agencies to help in identifying needs and mitigation of traffic issues affecting neighborhood within the limits of available resources. The NTSA acts as an independent organization that conducts its own meetings and is open to membership from any recognized neighborhood association within the City of Vancouver.
2022 & 2201 Projects
2022 Neighborhood Traffic Calming Projects
As part of the 2022 Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, the City of Vancouver, working with the Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance (NTSA), will fund four neighborhood traffic calming projects designed to address traffic speeding concerns while creating a more livable community.
Eight neighborhood project proposals were advanced during the program process, and four were awarded funding as part of the City of Vancouver’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. The popular annual program helps community members manage and address traffic within residential neighborhoods. Project costs are coordinated through several different strategies and partnerships within City departments to maximize cost efficiencies. Most of these projects are slated for construction during the summer/fall of 2023.
2022 Project List
NE 129th Avenue, from NE 28th Street to NE 39th Street
Location: Image Neighborhood
Project Enhancements: Series of speed tables
NW Bernie Drive, from NW Fruit Valley Road/NW Lakeshore Avenue to NW Lincoln Avenue
Location: Northwest Neighborhood
Project Enhancements: Series of speed tables
NE Four Seasons Lane, from NE 18th Street to NE 28th Street
Location: Landover-Sharmel Neighborhood
Project Enhancements: Four speed tables, two speed radar feedback signs
NE 86th Avenue, from NE 15th Street to NE 20th Street
Location: Ogden, North Garrison Heights and Oakbrook Neighborhoods
Project Enhancements: Two speed radar feedback signs
Past Project List: 2021
Eight neighborhood project proposals were advanced as part of the program for 2021, and all eight were awarded funding as part of the City of Vancouver’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. As mentioned above, project costs are coordinated through several different strategies and partnerships within City departments to maximize cost efficiencies. Most projects are slated for construction during the summer/fall of 2022, while several project elements will be installed with other pavement or infrastructure projects in future years.
SE McGillivray Boulevard, area near pedestrian path from SE Laver Street to SE Park Street
Location: Riveridge Neighborhood Association
Project Enhancements: Enhanced pedestrian crossing, upgraded street striping for pedestrian pathway across McGillivray
East 18th Street, near Burnt Bridge Creek Trail crossing just west of General Anderson Avenue
Location: Maplewood Neighborhood Association, Meadow Homes Neighborhood Association
Project Enhancements: Enhanced pedestrian crossing at Burnt Bridge Creek Trail crossing
NE Countryside Drive/155th Avenue, from SE 1st Street to NE 18th Street
Location: Countryside Woods Neighborhood Association, East Mill Plain Neighborhood Association
Project Enhancements: Speed tables
NE 58th Street, from Andresen Road to NE 82nd Avenue
Location: Walnut Grove Neighborhood Association, Vancouver Mall Neighborhood Association
Project Enhancements: Speed tables (similar to speed cushions)
NE 49th Street, from NE 15th Avenue to Saint James Road
Location: West Minnehaha Neighborhood Association
Project Enhancements: Speed radar feedback signs and new speed cushions/tables
East Evergreen Boulevard, near East 5th Street/Columbia View Drive
Location: Evergreen Shores Neighborhood Association, Dubois Park Neighborhood Association
Project Enhancements: Speed radar feedback sign near East 5th Street/Columbia View Drive
SE 1st Street/NE 4th Street, from NE 136th Avenue to Hearthwood Boulevard
Location: Airport Green Neighborhood Association
Project Enhancements: Speed radar feedback signs
Saint Helens Avenue, Lieser Road to SE 98th Avenue
Location: Vancouver Heights Neighborhood Association
Project Enhancements: Speed radar feedback signs
Other Helpful Materials
- Neighborhood Guide for Traffic Calming – Jan. 2023
- Street Mural Program
- Vancouver Streets – Speed Limits
- Vancouver Roadway Classifications – 2022 Arterial Street Map (Small)
- Vancouver Roadway Classifications – 2022 Arterial Street Map (Large – shows all streets)
- City Repair Project – Portland Mural & Placemaking Examples
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General Questions
Contact staff at TrafficCalmingProgram@cityofvancouver.us.