Athens Traffic Calming Review - Speed Humps & Roundabouts
Athens, Georgia residents and neighborhood groups can ask the city for a formal review when a street feels unsafe or needs traffic calming. This guide explains who handles requests for speed humps and roundabouts, what evidence and forms are normally required, the typical review steps, enforcement and appeal options, and where to find official Athens-Clarke County rules and contacts.
Who is responsible
The primary office that manages traffic-calming requests on local streets is the Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works department (Traffic Engineering). Formal changes to roadway geometry or devices on state routes require coordination with the Georgia Department of Transportation when applicable. For local code and traffic rules, Athens-Clarke County’s municipal code is the controlling ordinance.[1][2]
Typical review process
Most municipal reviews follow these steps: intake, preliminary screening, data collection (speed and volume studies), engineering analysis, community notification, and a final decision by the appropriate administrative or elected body. Timing varies by workload, season, and whether a physical installation is proposed.
- Initial intake and screening - usually weeks to months.
- Traffic counts and speed studies to evaluate warrants.
- Design review and community notification.
- Construction or installation if approved.
Penalties & Enforcement
Penalties for violating traffic controls, work-permit conditions, or unauthorized installations are governed by Athens-Clarke County ordinances and applicable state law. Specific monetary fines and escalation schedules for unauthorized modifications or noncompliance are not specified on the cited pages; see the municipal code and Traffic Engineering for enforcement procedures and contact points.[2]
- Fines: not specified on the cited page.
- Escalation: first/repeat/continuing offences—details not specified on the cited page.
- Non-monetary sanctions: removal orders, stop-work orders, civil enforcement actions or referral to court (subject to ordinance provisions).
- Enforcer: Transportation and Public Works (Traffic Engineering) for local streets; Georgia DOT for state routes.
- Appeals/review: administrative appeal to the department or appeal to the Mayor and Commission or specified review board; time limits not specified on the cited page.
- Defences/discretion: permit approvals, administrative variances, or emergency exemptions where authorized by ordinance.
Applications & Forms
The Athens-Clarke County Traffic Engineering office typically publishes guidance and any intake or traffic-calming request forms on the department website. If no form is posted, requests can often be submitted by email or the department’s online service portal; the official pages should be checked for the current form name, submission address, and any fee. The cited department page is the primary contact for forms and submission instructions.[1]
How the city evaluates speed humps and roundabouts
Engineering evaluation usually considers measured speed, 85th-percentile speed, traffic volume, vehicle mix, emergency response impacts, transit routes, and pedestrian needs. Roundabout feasibility requires geometric study, right-of-way review and safety analysis; speed humps require warranting criteria such as minimum volume and documented speed concerns.
- Safety and crash history review.
- Speed and volume data collection.
- Design feasibility (drainage, utilities, emergency access).
Action steps for residents
- Document the issue: photos, dates/times, and crash reports if any.
- Contact Traffic Engineering to request the formal intake and ask for the traffic-calming request form.[1]
- Gather neighborhood support or petitions if the department’s policy requires community concurrence.
- Be prepared for possible design, construction, or maintenance costs if the municipality’s policy assigns cost-sharing.
FAQ
- How do I request a speed hump or roundabout review?
- Contact Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works (Traffic Engineering) to submit a traffic-calming request or form; the department opens an intake and schedules any required studies.[1]
- How long does the review take?
- Timeline varies by workload and season; initial screening to study completion often takes several weeks to months depending on data collection needs.
- Are there fees for requests?
- Fees for engineering studies, installations, or permit reviews depend on local policy; fee amounts are not specified on the cited pages—check Traffic Engineering for current fees.[1]
How-To
- Identify and document the safety concern with dates, photos, and crash records if available.
- Contact Athens-Clarke County Traffic Engineering to request the formal review and obtain any required form.[1]
- Submit the completed request form and any neighborhood petition, if required.
- Allow for traffic counts and engineering analysis; respond to any department information requests.
- Receive the department decision and follow appeal procedures if you wish to contest the outcome.
Key Takeaways
- Start by contacting Traffic Engineering to learn the exact intake process.
- Data-driven studies (speed and volume) determine eligibility for speed humps or roundabouts.
- Appeals and formal decisions may involve administrative review or the Mayor and Commission.
Help and Support / Resources
- Athens-Clarke County Government main site
- Athens-Clarke County Public Works - Transportation
- Athens-Clarke County Code of Ordinances (Municode)