ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: Engineering Item No: C7
Prepared by: Husam Hasenin, Principal Engineer Meeting Date: June 13, 2023 Approved by:
Greg Mayer, City Engineer
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Consent Calendar SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CALMING AND SPEED HUMP POLICY UPDATES RECOMMENDATION:
1.Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2023- , amending City Council Policy 600-13, Traffic Calming Program.
2.Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2023- , amending City Council Policy 600-07, Criteria and Procedures for Installation of Speed Humps.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Public Safety and Traffic: Continue to improve flow of traffic for all forms of travel, reduce congestion, and improve our roads and sidewalks.
PRIOR ACTION: On April 6, 2023, accepted the roundabout at E. Bobier and Calle Jules as presented and accepted staff’s recommendations on speed hump policy edits (Vote: 4-1, Franklin Opposed).
On January 24, 2023, discussed traffic calming techniques, including the use of speed humps; City Council directed staff to identify options for Apollo Drive, to create a traffic calming plan for specific streets identified by the City Council, and to discuss the development of a comprehensive multimodal plan at the workshop in April (Vote: 5-0).
PRIOR TRAFFIC COMMISSION ACTION: On May 3, 2023, reviewed and approved staff’s recommended edits to the Traffic Calming and Speed Hump Policies (Vote: 5-0-1) (Commissioner Flynn Abstained, One Vacancy).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: On January 24, 2023, the City Council discussed the City’s traffic calming policies and procedures including the use of speed humps. The current Traffic Calming Program has a phased approach consisting of four stages and further alternatives within one of the four phases. At recent meetings, the City Council expressed concern that the current program is too complicated for residents to follow. Staff reviewed the program and made edits to simplify its application and the edits were accepted by the City Council at the April 6, 2023 Transportation Mobility Workshop. The updated Traffic Calming Program is shown in Exhibit 3.
The City has a policy in place establishing criteria and procedures for the installation of speed humps.
However, speed humps have not been installed in the City for many years because of emergency response AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
06/13/2023 C7 1 of 25
Approved above recommendation, adopted the following: 1) City Council Resolution No. 2023-95.
Vote: 5-0; and 2) City Council Resolution No. 2023-96. Vote: 4-1 (Franklin opposed)
MEETING DATE: June 13, 2023 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CALMING AND SPEED HUMP POLICY UPDATES concerns. Upon further evaluation, the Fire Department determined that the impact from speed humps on local and collector streets may be acceptable in most cases.
The current screening criteria used to evaluate whether a street is appropriate for speed hump application consists of a point system. The total points that a street can garner is 150, but 130 points is the minimum threshold that a street needs to qualify to move on to the next stage, which consist of a resident petition.
The emergency route criterion is assigned 25 points, which automatically disqualifies a street from proceeding to the next stage given the emergency response concerns. In consultation with the Fire Department, the point assignment will be removed from the emergency response criterion and will be revised as a checkbox item, where the Fire Department evaluates a requested street on an individual basis and makes the determination as to whether or not speed humps are acceptable. In reviewing the speed hump policy as a whole, staff made additional edits and were accepted by the City Council at the April 6, 2023, Transportation Mobility Workshop. The updated Procedures for Installation of Speed Humps policy is included as Exhibit 4.
This action requests the formal adoption of the updated Traffic Calming and Speed Hump Policies.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the updated Traffic Calming and Speed Hump Policies.
EXHIBITS:
1. City Council Resolution No. 2023- amending City Council Policy 600-13, Traffic Calming Program.
2. City Council Resolution No. 2023- amending City Council Policy 600-07, Criteria and Procedures For Installation of Speed Humps
3. Updated City Council Policy 600-13, Traffic Calming Program
4. Updated City Council Policy 600-07, Criteria and Procedures for Installation of Speed Humps 06/13/2023 C7 2 of 25
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CITY COUNCIL POLICY 600-13, TRAFFIC
CALMING PROGRAM
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A. The City of Vista Traffic Calming Program was originally approved in 2004.
B. The City of Vista Traffic Calming Program was updated in 2021.
C. The City of Vista Traffic Calming Program is in need of further updating to streamline the implementation process and ease the burden on members of the community who wish to participate in the program.
2. Action.
A. City Council Policy 600-13, Traffic Calming Program, is hereby approved and amended.
B. The City Manager and appropriate City staff are authorized to implement the elements of City Council Policy 600-13 in accordance with the procedures established in the Policy to manage speeding on City streets.
C. All previous such determinations or declarations of the City of Vista in conflict herewith are hereby repealed and rescinded.
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on June 13, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
JOHN B. FRANKLIN, MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK By: By:
APPROVED
Walter C.Chung
20230524143707
000292137 EXHIBIT 1
06/13/2023 C7 3 of 25
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CITY COUNCIL POLICY 600-07, CRITERIA
AND PROCEDURES FOR INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A. The City of Vista Speed Hump Policy was originally approved in 1996.
B. The City of Vista Speed Hump Policy was updated in 2009.
C. The City of Vista Speed Hump Policy is in need of further updating to streamline the implementation process and ease the burden on members of the community.
2. Action.
A. City Council Policy 600-07, Criteria and Procedures For Installation of Speed Humps, is hereby approved and amended.
B. The City Manager and appropriate City staff are authorized to implement the elements of City Council Policy 600-07 in accordance with the procedures established in the Policy to manage speeding on City streets.
C. All previous such determinations or declarations of the City of Vista in conflict herewith are hereby repealed and rescinded.
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on June 13, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
JOHN B. FRANKLIN, MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK By: By:
APPROVED
Walter C.Chung
20230524143930
000292137 EXHIBIT 2
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Vista City Council Policy
600-13 TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM
PURPOSE
To establish the procedures for implementation of traffic calming on public streets.
POLICY
See Exhibit `A' to this Policy for a detailed description of the City of Vista Traffic Calming Program.
HISTORY
Adopted March 9, 2021, Resolution No. 2021-33
Amended June 13, 2023, Resolution No. 2023-
EXHIBIT 3
06/13/2023 C7 5 of 25
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM
Exhibit `A' to Vista City Council Policy 600-13
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Vista City Counicl Policy 600-13
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Vista Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (NTCP) is to reduce speeds of motorists traveling on the City's streets. The program is aimed at providing a greater level of safety for all modes of transportation. The NCTP details the various traffic calming techniques employed by the City and establishes procedures for their implementation.
THE TRAFFIC CALMING PROCESS
The traffic calming process simply begins with a resident expressing concern with speeding or making a request to the City to implement traffic calming. The request may be made to City staff in any form of communication including telephone, email, mail or in person. Staff will conduct an evaluation of the requested street using data such as traffic volumes, speeds and accident history. If the data supports a speeding and/or a traffic safety issue, staff will recommend one or more of the following traffic calming measures. Staff will share the recommendations with the resident making the request and advise them of the next steps.
1. Installation of signs, markings and/or striping.
2. Enforcement.
3. Installation of stop signs.
4. Installation of speed humps.
5. Other physical traffic calming devices such as roundabouts, raised medians, intersection pop-outs, enhanced pedestrian crossings and chicanes.
Please see Appendix I for examples of the City's traffic calming toolbox.
Below is a description of the procedures for the implementation of stops signs and physical traffic calming devices. City Council Policy 600-07 contains for the procedures for the installation of speed humps.
Stop Signs:
The installation of stop signs at one or more intersections along a street segment may provide a break in the traffic speeds. Stop signs may only be considered as a traffic calming tool if the Traffic Engineer using appropriate engineering judgment determines that the roadway or traffic conditions on the street in question justify their installation. The installation of stop signs requires the residents to gather signatures in a petition showing that at least 51% of residents within 200 feet of a proposed stop sign are in favor. Staff will prepare a map of the properties required to sign the petition to aid residents in their signature gathering effort. Appendix II contains a petition form to be used by the residents.
If the residents submit a petition, staff will review it to reasonably ensure that at least 51% 06/13/2023 C7 7 of 25
Vista City Counicl Policy 600-13
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
of property owners on the map prepared by the City have signed the petition. The City is not responsible for any misrepresentations of signatures on the petition. If the petition meets the minimum threshold, staff will prepare the necessary reports and present the item to the Traffic Commission and City Council for approval. Staff will send out notifications to an area that is wider than the petition area prior to each meeting.
Physical Traffic Calming Measures:
Physical traffic calming measures rely on the concept of diverting the traffic horizontally within the existing road width to result in vehicles slowing down to maneuver through these features. Physical traffic calming features include traffic circles, intersection pop-outs, raised medians, chicanes at or between intersections, enhanced pedestrian crossings and others.
Please see Appendix I for examples. These types of traffic calming features carry a significant cost and generally require the removal of parking within approximately 50 feet in either direction of each feature on both sides of the street. Therefore, City staff will conduct an evaluation based on traffic volumes, speeds and accident data to determine the appropriateness of these devices for a street segment.
The implementation of physical traffic calming devices requires the residents to gather signatures on a petition showing that at least 51% of residents within 200 feet of each proposed calming feature are in favor. Staff will prepare a map of the properties required to sign the petition to aid residents in their signature gathering effort. Appendix III contains a petition form to be used by the residents.
If the residents submit a petition, staff will review it to reasonably ensure that at least 51% of property owners on the map prepared by the City have signed the petition. The City is not responsible for any misrepresentations of signatures on the petition. If the petition meets the minimum threshold, staff will have an engineering consultant prepare exhibits and a cost estimate for the proposed traffic calming devices. The proposed traffic calming plan will then be placed on a list with other locations to await the availability of funding.
If funding becomes available, staff will prepare the necessary reports and present the item to the Traffic Commission and City Council for approval. Staff will send out notifications to an area that is wider than the petition area prior to each meeting. 06/13/2023 C7 8 of 25
Vista City Counicl Policy 600-13
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
APPENDIX I
TRAFFIC CALMING TOOLBOX EXAMPLES
06/13/2023 C7 9 of 25
Vista City Counicl Policy 600-13
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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Phase I - Speed Limit Sign and Marking and Lane Narrowing 06/13/2023 C7 10 of 25
Vista City Counicl Policy 600-13
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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Phase I - Speed Reduction Markings and Parking Lane Buffer 06/13/2023 C7 11 of 25
Vista City Counicl Policy 611 sy
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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Vista City Counicl Policy 611 sy
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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Vista City Counicl Policy 600-13
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
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Phase III - Neighborhood Traffic Circle
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06/13/2023 C7 14 of 25
Vista City Counicl Policy 600-13
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Phase III - Chicane
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Phase IV - Roundabout
06/13/2023 C7 15 of 25
Vista City Counicl Policy 600-13
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
APPENDIX 11
STOP SIGN PETITION
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Vista City Counicl Policy 600-13
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
PETITION REQUESTING STOP SIGNS
Intersection:
We the undersigned do hereby request the City of Vista, California, to install an all-way stop at the intersection stated above.
Neighborhood Representative:
Date Signature Address Position Phone Number (Head of Household) (*)
(*) Support= S; Opposed = 0; No Contact= NC
06/13/2023 C7 17 of 25
Vista City Counicl Policy 600-13
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
APPENDIX II'
PHYSICAL TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES PETITION
06/13/2023 C7 18 of 25
Vista City Counicl Policy 600-13
Exhibit A— Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
PETITION REQUESTING TRAFFIC CALMING
Per City Provided Traffic Calming Plan
Location:
We the undersigned do hereby request the City of Vista, California, to install physical traffic calming measures per City provided traffic calming plan.
Neighborhood Representative:
Date Signature Address Position Phone Number (Head of Household) (*)
(*) Support= S; Opposed = 0; No Contact= NC
06/13/2023 C7 19 of 25
Vista City Council Policy
600-07 CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES FOR INSTALLATION
OF SPEED HUMPS
PURPOSE
To provide uniformity in considering requests for speed humps, the following standards, selection criteria, procedures and installation guidelines are adopted for use by the City Engineer, Traffic Commission and City Council.
POLICY
1. Standards and Selection Criteria
a. Speed humps may be used on those local residential streets whose primary function is to provide access to abutting residences or on collector streets. Speed humps shall not be used on major and arterial roadways as designated in the Circulation Element of the General Plan of the City of Vista. b. Street segments shall be without severe vertical or horizontal alignment. A speed hump shall be visible for at least 200 feet.
c. The measured 85th percentile speeds shall be greater than 35 mph or 60 percent of the measured speeds shall be in excess of the posted speed limit. d. The street shall not be an important access route for emergency vehicles as determined by the City's emergency services departments. e. Speed humps shall not be installed on streets when it is anticipated that traffic will be diverted to another local residential street.
f. The street must consist of one travel lane in each direction. g. Speed humps will not normally be installed on isolated blocks along a continuous street or on a relatively short (less than 800 feet) cul-de- sac. h. The street shall not be scheduled for resurfacing during the next 16 months.
2. Procedures
a. The City's adopted policies and procedures for the installation of speed humps will be made available to all interested parties.
b. A resident of a local residential street, who believes the residents on that street will support the installation of speed humps will submit a request in writing to the City Traffic Engineer. The Traffic Engineer will consult with the City's emergency 600-07 (1)
EXHIBIT
06/13/2023 C74
20 of 25
Vista City Council Policy
services departments in making a determination of whether the street in question is eligible for further consideration for the installation of speed humps, i.e., the street is consistent with the City's policies for the installation of speed humps.
The City Traffic Engineer will complete Speed Hump Criteria Checklist (Exhibit A) to make the determination of satisfying the City's policy. c. Upon determination that a street is not eligible for speed humps, the resident of the street will be notified in writing giving the reason why the street is not eligible.
The resident of the street will be given 15 days to appeal the decision in writing to the City Engineer. If the City Engineer concludes the Traffic Engineer's decision is valid, the resident may appeal the City Engineer's decision to the Traffic Commission. The Traffic Commission will then consider the resident's appeal and determine if the City Engineer's decision should be overruled and allow the request to continue. The Traffic Commission's decision to overrule the City Engineer will identify the reasons and special circumstances to allow further consideration of speed humps on the requested street. If the Traffic Commission rejects the appeal, the matter may still be appealed to the City Council provided that 60 percent of the residents on the street sign the petition (Exhibit B) in support of speed humps.
d. Upon determination that a street is eligible for further consideration, the resident of the street will be advised to submit a petition (Exhibit B) from abutting the property owners or residents indicating that a clear majority (51 percent or more) support the installation of speed humps on their street. Staff will prepare a map of the properties required to sign the petition to aid residents in their signature gathering effort. The petition forms provided by the City will state: "If there is subsequently a desire by residents to remove the speed humps, the humps will only be considered for removal after receipt of a petition from a substantial majority (51 percent or more) asking for removal along with a guarantee to provide sufficient funds for removal as determined by the City Engineer." The sponsor of the petition is required to contact every resident of the abutting properties of the subject street. If a resident is against the speed humps, the word "OPPOSED" will be noted on the petition signature space. If the sponsor is unable to contact a resident, "NO CONTACT" will be noted on the petition signature space with dates and times that the contact was attempted. It is required that the sponsor make at least two attempts on separate days to contact a resident.
Any petitions submitted prior to the eligibility determination by City staff will not be processed ahead of schedule and shall be subject to return if all required information on the installation of speed humps is not included thereon. e. Upon verification of the petition, the Traffic Engineer will make traffic speed and 600-07 (2)
06/13/2023 C7 21 of 25
Vista City Council Policy
volume measurements, review the traffic accident history for the street in question, and determine acceptable locations for speed humps. f. Upon completion of the study, City staff will prepare an agenda item for consideration by the Traffic Commission. City staff will notify the properties on the subject street of the proposal for speed humps on. The Traffic Commission will then hold a hearing on the request and either approve or disapprove the request. If the Traffic Commission denies the request, the resident may appeal the decision to the City Council. The appeal to the City Council must be made within 30 days of the Traffic Commission's action.
g. The recommendation of the Traffic Commission to install speed humps will be forwarded to the City Council for approval.
h. In the event the number of requests for speed humps exceeds the funds available, the City Engineer will rank the requests in a recommended order of priority and submit these recommendations to the Traffic Commission for approval. The priority list recommended for approval will be based on traffic accidents, speeds, traffic volumes, and comments of the City's emergency services departments. The City Engineer will set forth the basis for the recommended priorities in a report accompanying the priority list.
Unless there is an overriding consideration such as high incidence of speed- related accidents, priorities will be normally established by multiplying the percentage of motorists exceeding 25 mph by the 24-hour traffic volume of the street in question. A street yielding the highest numerical value resulting from the above consideration will be considered to have the highest priority for speed humps. Depending on the number of petitions received and the types of streets involved, it is possible that a "cut-off speed" (perhaps an 85th percentile speed of 30 mph) will be established, below which streets will not be considered for the program.
i. The physical installation of speed humps and the associated traffic control devices shall conform to design standards established by the City Engineer. j. The City reserves the right to remove any or all of the speed humps at any time at no cost to the property owner( s).
3. Installation Guidelines
a. Speed humps shall not be placed over manholes, watergates, junction chambers, etc.
b. Where possible, speed humps should be placed at property lines instead of mid- lot.
600-07 (3)
06/13/2023 C7 22 of 25
Vista City Council Policy
c. Where possible, speed humps should be placed adjacent to street lights. d. Hump Dimensions: The dimensions for the speed hump may vary from 3 to 4 inches in height and 12 to 20 feet in width. The City Engineer, with the City's emergency services departments, will examine the height and width of humps to determine the desired dimensions for installation of speed humps in the City. Full height shall extend to two feet from gutter and taper to join existing pavement at edge of gutter.
e. Spacing:
(1) 200 to 750 feet between humps.
(2) 25 feet to fire hydrants and manholes.
(3) 200 feet to intersections.
f. Warning Signs: "BUMPS AHEAD" signs shall be placed on either end of the street segment where speed humps are being installed.
g. Markings: "BUMP" pavement marking shall be placed in advance of each hump in both directions.
h. Notifications: Each resident on the street shall be notified in writing of the planned hump installation at least three weeks prior to construction. i. The City Engineer will develop standards for speed hump installation and markings.
HISTORY
Adopted May 28, 1996, Resolution No. 96-42
Amended December 8, 2009, Resolution No. 2009-197
Amended June 3, 2023, Resolution No. 2023-
600-07 (4)
06/13/2023 C7 23 of 25
EXHIBIT A CITY OF VISTA
VISTA
SPEED HUMP CRITERIA CHECK LIST CITY OF
Date:
Street: Limits:
Instructions: The following three steps must be met before proceeding to Traffic Commission and City Council approval.
Fire Department
Fire Department Review and Approval YES No
Conditions-Minimum of 80 Out of 100 Points Required
1. The street is a local residential or a collector street and is not a major or arterial street as defined by the City of Vista's Circulation YES No Element. (25 points*)
2. The installation of speed humps will not result in the diversion of YES No traffic to a nearby parallel street (25 points*)
3. Speed study shows that the measured 85m percentile speed is 35 YES No mph or more; or 60% of motorists exceed 25 mph. (15 points)
4. Street shall be no more than one lane in each direction. (10 points) YES No
5. Adequate horizontal or vertical alignments and sight distance. (15 YES No points)
6. Street not scheduled for resurfacing within 16 months. (10 points) YES No Total Points:
Petition
Petition contains signatures from at least 51% of adjacent residents Satisfied Not Satisfied shown in the city-provided map.
Summery:
06/13/2023 C7 24 of 25
Vista City Council Policy
EXHIBIT B
PETITION REQUESTING INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS
We, the undersigned residents of Street,from Street to Street,
Do hereby request the City of Vista, California, to install speed humps on our street. We agree that if in the future that if we desire to remove the speed hump, the humps will only be considered for removal after receipt of a petition from a substantial majority (51% or more) asking for the removal along with a guarantee to provide sufficient funds for removal as determined by the City Engineer. The City reserves the right to remove any or all of the humps at any time at no cost to the property owners.
Neighborhood Representative:
Signature Position Daytime
Date (Head of Household) Address (a) Phone (a) Support-S Opposed -0 No Contact- NC 600-07 (6)
06/13/2023 C7 25 of 25
City Council
June 13, 2023
•Traffic Calming Program has a phased
approach consisting of four stages
The City Council expressed concern that the current program is too complicated for residents to follow
Staff reviewed the program and made suggested edits for City Council review
The proposed procedure will give more flexibility in the selection of a traffic calming technique for a particular street
The City Council reviewed the edits at the 4/6/2023 workshop Traffic Calming and Speed HumpPolicy Updates
•The City has a policy in place establishing criteria
and procedures for the installation of speed humps
Speed humps have not been installed in the City for many years because of emergency response concerns
The Fire Department evaluated the impact of speed humps and will now consider their installation on local and collector streets Other suggested edits were made for better applicability to City streets and a smoother procedure
The City Council reviewed the edits at the 4/6/2023 workshop Traffic Calming and Speed HumpPolicy Updates
•Summary of suggested edits
—Lowering the resident petition threshold from 75% to 51% —Allowing speed humps on collector streets
—Allowing speed humps on streets with speed limits higher than 25 mph —Removing the street segment length restriction
—Removing the street grade restriction
—Removing the truck route and transit route restrictions —Removing the 40-foot maximum street width restriction
—Removing the 3,500 vehicle-per-day maximum traffic volume restriction —Changing the speed hump height range from 2-5/8” – 3-1/8” to 3” – 4” Traffic Calming and Speed HumpPolicy Updates