The Austin Transportation Department ranks the nearly 570 requests based on speed data and support from residents who live on the street affected, as well as on geometric and environmental factors.
These requests were updated May 19 and can be found here. They are listed alphabetically by street name, include all accepted requests received as of April 1 and show whether the street is eligible for funding. The listings also cite why a street is not eligible for speed mitigation.
The Local Area Traffic Management Program was developed in the mid-1980s in response to citizen concerns regarding high traffic speeds, increasing traffic volumes and pedestrian safety in residential neighborhoods, according to city documents.
Once the request is accepted into the Local Area Traffic Management Program, it must compete against other requests for funding.
Application packets for consideration can be found here and must be submitted or mailed as a hard copy to 505 Barton Springs Road, Ste. 800, Austin. Residents, businesses, schools or other properties located along the street requested can apply.
Requests are prioritized based on several factors, including:
- The number of vehicles traveling at or above the speed limit
- Evidence of support from other property owners
- The number of reported car, pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- The percentage of truck traffic
- The number of schools or parks located on the street
- The presence or absence of sidewalks
The money for construction of some of the approved projects comes from the Austin Transportation Department's budget, spokesperson Marissa Monroy said.
The remaining funds come from the city's Quarter Cent Fund, created from a light-rail proposition that was defeated in 2000. Capital Metro agreed in 2001 to share 25 percent of its annual revenue—money previously allocated toward light rail—with the city to fund transportation projects.
An example of a traffic-calming measure installed by the city of Austin.[/caption]That deal meant Capital Metro would share a quarter-cent of each penny of revenue for a prescribed period of time with the city of Austin. A list of projects was developed as part of the program. The remaining balance of the Quarter Cent Fund was to be dedicated to urban rail operations, but because the urban rail initiative did not pass, it was determined that the funds should be redirected to existing infrastructure needs, according to city documents.
Eligible projects that don't receive funding in this cycle will be automatically reconsidered in subsequent funding cycles for up to two years. After two years, the requests must be resubmitted.
For more information, visit the Local Area Traffic Management Program website.
Additional reporting by Amy Denney.
