Neighborhoods can apply for speed humps and other traffic-calming devices

QUESTION: Why are speed humps and dips not used as speed mitigation within Colorado Springs? We have a neighborhood speeding problem in Springs Ranch and have offered to install and maintain a speed hump within our neighborhood. The city engineer’s office says that the city doesn’t use speed humps because they are an impediment to snowplows and emergency vehicles. However, in at least two neighborhoods, speed humps are used (and replaced during repaving).
- Marty Deason
ANSWER: Senior city transportation planner Kristin Bennett says the city uses speed humps where appropriate, but this is just one of many “traffic calming” devices. Dips are for drainage, not speed mitigation.

Your neighborhood needs to apply to the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. Bennett said the city staff will go to the site to collect current traffic data, pull accident history, determine whether you are an emergency route, etc. She said your neighborhood must have a documentable problem to have self-pay improvements because it would fall to the city to maintain them. If your area is accepted into the program, staff members will work with the neighborhood.

To get started, go to www.springsgov.com/page.asp?NavID=1689 or e-mail ntmp@springsgov.com.