Miami Traffic Calming Requests Near Schools - City Process
In Miami, Florida parents, school officials, and neighborhood groups can request traffic calming and school-area signage to improve pedestrian safety around schools. This guide explains who administers requests, the typical review steps, evidence needed, and how signage interacts with state standards and city/county processes. Use the steps below to prepare petitions, gather speed and crash data, and submit a formal request so the City or County can evaluate engineering, funding, and legal authority for signs, speed zones, and physical calming measures.
How the process works
Requests usually begin with a written petition or online form submitted to the City of Miami Traffic Engineering or to Miami-Dade County if the road is a county facility. The agency reviews jurisdiction, crash history, school crossing usage, and traffic volumes. Engineering studies may include speed/survey counts, sight-distance checks, and evaluations against federal and state standards for school zones and signs.
Determine who maintains the street: the City of Miami handles city streets, Miami-Dade County handles county roads, and the Florida Department of Transportation handles state roads. Project approval depends on engineering merit, funding, and safety priority.
To identify the correct office, contact the City of Miami Traffic Engineering/Transportation division for city streets[1] or the Miami-Dade County Traffic Calming Program for county roads[2].
Typical evaluation criteria
- Existing crash history involving pedestrians or school-age children.
- Measured vehicle speeds and 85th percentile speed.
- Traffic volume during school arrival and dismissal periods.
- Pedestrian counts at crossings and presence of crossing guards.
- Proximity to school entrances, bus stops, and driveways.
Penalties & Enforcement
Signage and school zone compliance are enforced through a combination of traffic citations issued by police for moving violations and administrative orders from transportation agencies for physical obstructions or unauthorized signage. Specific civil fines, administrative penalties, or fee schedules for noncompliance with city or county traffic-control orders are not specified on the cited pages; consult the enforcing office for current amounts and procedures.[1]
- Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; enforcement agencies list applicable citation amounts on their citation schedules or state statute references.[1]
- Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offences escalation details are not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: agencies may order removal of unauthorized signs, require corrective measures, or seek injunctive relief through the courts.
- Enforcers: City of Miami Traffic Engineering/Transportation and Miami Police Department for moving violations; Miami-Dade County Traffic Calming Program for county road projects.[1]
- Appeals: administrative appeal routes or requests for review are handled per the issuing agency's rules; specific time limits for appeal are not specified on the cited page and must be confirmed with the agency.[1]
Applications & Forms
The primary application is a traffic calming request or petition. The Miami-Dade County Traffic Calming Program page provides program information and application steps for county roads; City of Miami requests begin with Traffic Engineering intake or an equivalent city form.[2]
- Form name/number: Traffic calming request form (name/number not specified on the cited page).
- Fee: any study or implementation fees are not specified on the cited pages; contact the agency for current fee schedules.
- Submission: typically submitted online or by email to Traffic Engineering or the County Traffic Calming Program; check the department page for exact submission instructions.[2]
The typical timeline from application to final decision varies with workload and funding; exact review periods and deadlines are not specified on the cited pages and should be confirmed with the administering office.
Action steps - What to prepare
- Collect crash reports and dates/times of incidents near the school.
- Document pedestrian counts during arrival and dismissal.
- Circulate a neighborhood petition showing affected residents' support if required by the agency.
- Contact Traffic Engineering to confirm jurisdiction before filing an application.[1]
- Be prepared for an engineering study and possible public outreach meeting.
FAQ
- Who can request traffic calming near a school?
- Parents, school administrators, neighborhood associations, and property owners may submit requests to Traffic Engineering or the County Traffic Calming Program.
- How long does the evaluation take?
- Timelines vary by workload and funding; specific review periods are not specified on the cited pages and should be confirmed with the administering office.[1]
- Will the city fund physical traffic calming devices?
- Funding depends on priority, available capital, and whether the roadway is city, county, or state controlled; funding policies and availability are not specified on the cited pages.
- What if the road is a state road?
- If the roadway is under FDOT jurisdiction, the state sets signage and speed-zone rules and must approve changes to school zone signs and speed limits.
How-To
- Confirm roadway jurisdiction by contacting City of Miami Traffic Engineering or Miami-Dade County Traffic Calming Program.[1]
- Gather evidence: crash reports, photos, and pedestrian counts during school hours.
- Complete and submit the traffic calming request form or petition per the agency's instructions.[2]
- Participate in any required field study, public meeting, or neighborhood outreach the agency schedules.
- Review the agency report and any recommended countermeasures; follow appeal procedures if you disagree with the outcome.
Key Takeaways
- Always confirm jurisdiction first—city, county, or state determines the approval path.
- Prepare clear evidence: crashes, counts, and community support improve chances for engineering action.
- Expect an engineering study and possible public outreach before installation.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Miami Traffic Engineering - Contact and services
- Miami-Dade County Traffic Calming Program
- City of Miami Transportation & Mobility information