How the Program Works

Meeting #1 Get Together And Prepare To Gather Information

• Provide information to residents to initiate coordination between the City and residents
• Identify neighborhood concerns
• Understand traffic and mobility issues
• Initiate neighborhood audit and survey

Meeting # 2 Assess Information and Begin Quick Fixes

• Review results of a neighborhood audit and survey (Conducted between meetings by volunteers).
• Identify common destinations, major activities, and local problems: parking, red curbs, speeding, overgrown vegetation, etc.
• Hear a preliminary analysis of the survey results as well as existing data on traffic volume, emergency routes, accident history, etc.
• Formulate an initial list of neighborhood issues and suggested solutions.
• Begin Quick Fixes. These are solutions to neighborhood traffic problems that can be accomplished using existing City resources. For example: remove vegetation that is blocking visibility, increase police enforcement, and so on.

Meeting #3 Review Progress To-Date and Continue Before Traffic Calming Actions

• Report on Quick Fixes to date.
• Begin Before Traffic Calming Actions. These are low- or no-cost actions neighbors can make to improve traffic problems, such as pledging to drive more slowly or begin a neighborhood traffic watch.

Meeting #4 Check Status and Plan Ahead to:

• Review progress of Quick Fixes and Before Traffic Calming Actions.
• Decide if formal Traffic Calming Measures are needed and whether to petition the City Council to take action. Traffic calming measures include installation of engineering solutions such as traffic circles, stop signs, one-way streets, etc.

Charrette and Beyond: Create and advocate for Neighborhood Mobility Plan

• An intensive weekend will be led by an internationally known neighborhood traffic calming expert, Dan Burden, who will work with neighbors, local businesses and representatives from various City Departments to draft a Mobility Plan. The Mobility Plan may include a variety of Traffic Calming measures as a result of the efforts of the neighborhood and the City during the Charrette weekend.
• Develop neighborhood consensus and advocate for the plan during the public hearing process.

© 2004 Oak Park Traffic Management