The Transportation Division is busily working to provide an efficient transportation system to enhance the livability of our city. The materials below offer information that is meant to help you understand a variety of transportation programs, projects to reduce traffic congestion, how the Transportation Division works towards neighborhood safety and other commonly asked questions.
The official guidelines
The Transportation Division follows Agency policies and the Revised Code of Washington State (RCW or State Law). The RCW's require us to follow the national guidelines outlined in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Traffic control devices include signal lights, traffic signs, and pavement markings. The MUTCD covers all aspects of the placement, construction and maintenance of every form of approved traffic control.
Will posting lower speed limits alleviate speeding in my neighborhood?
Engineering studies show that speed limit signs are not the most significant factor influencing driver speeds. Research indicates that a reasonable and prudent driver will drive the speed suggested by roadway and traffic conditions, to the extent of disregarding the posted speed limit. The Washington State Department of Transportation emphasizes that the "laws cannot be effectively enforced without the consent and voluntary compliance of the public majority." A speed limit that is unrealistic invites the majority of drivers to disregard posted speeds.
How are specific speed limits established?
Washington State Law allows cities and counties to set speed limits that differ from the standard speed limit. The standard speed limit under RCW is 25 MPH on city streets and 35 MPH on county roads, unless otherwise posted. The postings of higher or lower speed limits are determined through individual traffic investigations. Prevailing speed studies, accident history and roadway conditions are considered in the investigations.
Will installing speed bumps slow motorists?
It is commonly believed that speed bumps are an easy and acceptable means of controlling speed problems. This widespread belief overlooks the hazards and problems associated with speed bumps. Nationwide studies have revealed a number of disadvantages of speed bumps.
Speed bumps have not been officially accepted as a standard traffic control device.
What can be done about neighborhood speeders?
We encourage neighbors who are concerned about speeding in their neighborhood to work in groups to combat the problem. You can make a difference by driving 25 MPH or less in residential areas and by avoiding the use of local streets as shortcuts. The most effective way of reducing a speeding problem is through selective enforcement. You can help by reporting incidents. Give law enforcement agencies as much specific information as possible- such as vehicle description, license number, and date and time of day when speeding most often occurs. Your street may also qualify for the City's Speed Watch Program.
Can "Children at Play" signs be put up in my neighborhood?
The City does not install children at play signs or other similar message signs on city streets. These type of signs add no further protection for the safety of children. Studies have shown that many types of signs attempting to warn of normal conditions in residential areas have failed to achieve the desired safety benefits. Specific warnings for schools, playgrounds, parks and other recreational facilities are available for use where clearly justified.
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The speed watch program was established by the Bellingham Police Department to help drivers become aware of their speeds and help alleviate residential speeding. The program consists of Traffic Police, with the help of citizens, locating high speed streets and placing a Radar/ Readerboard at the location. The presence of the Readerboard has proven to be an excellent aid in reducing overall speeds. If you would like more information about this program, please contact Sgt. Slodysko at the Bellingham Police Department.
Another option for citizen involvement to combat neighborhood speeding is to use the Public Works radar gun (equipment and training available at no charge) to observe vehicle speeds. Again, this is a joint effort with the Police Department. We ask that you write down the vehicles license plate number, speed, time of day and give it to the Police Department for follow-up. If you would like more information about this option, please contact the Public Works Transportation Division.
Stop Signs
A stop sign is one of our most valuable and effective traffic control devices when used at the right location and under the right conditions. There are certain warrants which must be met according to the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) that enable us to justify the installation of stop signs. These warrants consider sight distance, traffic volume, and the frequency of gaps that occur in traffic that allow for safe vehicle entry or pedestrian crossing. The MUTCD also maintains that stop signs are never used for speed control.
Crosswalks
The City's policy for crosswalks is not to install midblock crosswalks
where traffic is not controlled by stop signs or traffic signals. The City
will install crosswalks at intersections controlled by traffic signals,
school route crossings adjacent to schools, and selected trail crossings.
Extensive research has found that midblock crossings offer a false sense of
security for pedestrians. Drivers are not accustomed to having crosswalks at
locations where they do not normally exist.
The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) (RCW 36.70A.030 (6) (b)) requires that needed transportation improvements or programs be in place concurrent with development or that a financial commitment exists to complete the improvements or strategies within a six year time period. Bellingham has adopted BMC 13.70 Multimodal Transportation Concurrency to meet this State law requirement. The Transportation Report on Annual Concurrency (TRAC) is the City's annual assessment of transportation concurrency status on the citywide multimodal transportation network.
The primary objective of the TRAC is to provide an assessment of the existing multi-modal transportation system, which establishes the baseline level of service (LOS) and transportation concurrency conditions through the year. Over time, the TRAC will also identify transportation concurrency problems, issues, and circumstances throughout the City so that transportation funding and mitigation strategies may be explored to effectively accommodate changing conditions and circumstances. Ultimately, the goal of the TRAC is to provide an integrated link between Bellingham Comprehensive Plan land use and transportation policies and funding decisions for the City's annual 6-Year Transportation Improvement Program (PDF).
For questions regarding the TRAC, BMC 13.70, the transportation element of the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan, or GMA transportation concurrency requirements, please contact the Transportation Division of the Public Works Department.
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