Traffic Calming

Traffic calming is the term used to describe the County's efforts to reduce the impact of traffic on neighborhoods, most typically, speeding.

Neighborhood Traffic Management Program
The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (N.T.M.P.) is used to determine if neighborhoods are eligible for traffic calming measures.
Speed Bump Sign
The N.T.M.P. provides a process for identifying, evaluating, and addressing undesirable traffic conditions related to speeding and excessive volumes in residential subdivisions.

Traffic Calming Devices Requests
Residents can submit a request to have a traffic study conducted to determine if the roadway qualifies for any traffic calming devices. If the neighborhood has a Homeowners Association, requests for the study must be submitted by the HOA. Subject roads must have a minimum peak hour volume of 125 vehicles and a percentage of cut-thru traffic to even be considered for traffic calming. Enclosed communities and courts are not eligible for the program.

Evaluations
The evaluations are conducted on a point system to determine the level of traffic calming measures that may be used.

Level 1 measures are more passive and include educational methods and special pavement markings.

Level 2 measures include traffic control devices and physical measures such as speed humps, chokers, islands, roundabouts, etc.

If the evaluation finds that a street has a score high enough to warrant traffic calming measures, and if there is the required approval of the affected residents, Harford County will install appropriate traffic management devices.