Traffic Calming Program

Speeding in residential neighborhoods is one of the most common concerns City of Akron officials hear from residents. Implementing various traffic calming measures where appropriate is one way to improve the safety of our streets.

If you have a street you would like to have considered for the Traffic Calming Program please visit this link: www.akronohio.gov/trafficcalmingrequest

The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) defines traffic calming as “the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users.”
https://www.ite.org/technical-resources/traffic-calming/

Traffic Calming Program - Background

In 2020, the City of Akron and the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) conducted a pilot project to determine the effectiveness of speed tables on reducing vehicle speeds along residential streets. The pilot demonstrated that the installation of speed tables was effective at reducing speeds by 6 to 8 mph. The report on the 2020 Speed Table pilot program is located here.

Speed tables were deployed in all 10 city wards in 2022. Location selection was based on resident input, Akron Police Department (APD) feedback and Traffic Engineering speed and roadway data. The report on the 2022 Speed Table pilot program is located in the Supporting Documents tab to the right.

Public outreach was performed before installation, and data was collected at some of the installed locations during installation, and after removal. The city conducted a survey of residents in 2022. Over 50% of survey respondents believed speeding was an issue in the corridor and that the speed table was effective in slowing down traffic. Overall, residents supported traffic calming at these locations.

Data collected showed that on average, speeds were 6 mph lower during installation of the speed tables, but speeds increased after the tables were removed.

Public feedback included over 1300 completed online surveys, and over 500 speed table requests in 2022.

In 2023, we installed 21 speed tables across the city. Locations were selected based on resident requests, appropriateness of streets, and coordination with City Council, City departments and roadway users such as METRO RTA and Akron Public Schools. In addition, 40 solar speed limit signs were also deployed and data collected from each of those. The report for the 2023 Program can be found in the Supporting Documents tab to the right.

In 2024, 30 temporary speed tables and 40 more solar speed limit signs were installed across the city. One permanent asphalt speed table is also being piloted on Maple Street. The City also pursued Federal Funding for the Safe Streets 4 All Program, which resulted in funding for a study which will begin in 2025.

Locations were selected based on resident requests, appropriateness of streets, and coordination with City Council, City departments and roadway users such as METRO RTA and Akron Public Schools.

The report on solar signs for the 2023 and 2024 Program can be found in the Supporting Documents tab to the right.

If you'd like to include your own feedback please complete the survey linked: www.akronohio.gov/trafficcalmingsurvey