City Rules for Speed Bumps & Traffic Calming - Staten Island

Transportation New York 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 08, 2026 Flag of New York

Staten Island, New York communities can request speed bumps, speed humps, and other traffic calming measures near schools to improve safety. Requests are handled through New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) programs that evaluate traffic studies, community input, and technical criteria before installation. This guide explains who administers these measures on Staten Island, the typical process from request to installation, enforcement and penalties, how to apply, and practical steps parents, schools and community boards should take to get a traffic-calming measure considered.

How traffic calming works in Staten Island

NYC DOT evaluates street geometry, collision history, pedestrian volume, and emergency access when considering speed humps, curb extensions, signage, and other measures. Neighborhood requests usually begin with a formal application or petition, followed by a field study and community outreach. Installation decisions balance safety benefits against emergency vehicle access and bus routes.

Start with your local community board and 311 report to open an official request.

Typical process & criteria

  • Field study and data collection: traffic counts, speed measurements and crash history.
  • Community outreach: notification of adjacent properties and coordination with the local community board.
  • Engineering review: assessment of street width, grade, transit routes and emergency access.
  • Installation and monitoring: physical installation of humps, signage and follow-up evaluations.

Requests for school-area treatments often get priority where pedestrian counts and crash risk are higher. For program details and submission guidance see the NYC DOT traffic calming program page NYC DOT Traffic Calming Program[1].

Penalties & Enforcement

Rules about installing or altering traffic-calming devices on city streets are administered by NYC DOT; enforcement of traffic violations is handled by NYPD and by DOT for infrastructure modifications. Specific monetary fines for unauthorized installation or tampering with street hardware are not specified on the cited DOT pages; enforcement typically involves orders to restore or remove unauthorized work and referral to appropriate enforcement units. For official program and policy information see the NYC DOT speed hump program and traffic calming pages referenced below.[2][1]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: not specified on the cited page; DOT commonly issues removal orders and may refer ongoing violations for civil enforcement.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal orders, withheld permits for unauthorized work, referral to enforcement or court action.
  • Enforcer and complaints: NYC DOT engineering and field crews; NYPD for traffic violations; complaints and service requests via 311 or DOT contacts.[3]
  • Appeal/review: not specified on the cited page; typical routes are administrative review with DOT or pursuing relief through city administrative procedures or elected representatives.
Monetary penalties and specific appeal deadlines are not listed on DOT program pages; contact DOT for exact enforcement rules.

Applications & Forms

Applications and formal requests for traffic calming normally go through the NYC DOT community traffic-calming program or via 311 service requests. DOT posts program guidance and submission instructions on its traffic calming page; specific form names or permit numbers for speed hump requests are not listed as standalone downloadable forms on the cited program page.[1]

Most neighborhoods begin with a 311 request and community board referral before DOT opens a formal study.

Action steps to request speed bumps near a school

  • Report concerns via 311 and request a traffic study near the school.
  • Coordinate with your local community board to document support and collect signatures if requested.
  • Provide DOT with crash data, pedestrian counts and school arrival/dismissal observations.
  • Work with DOT engineers during the study period and follow up on recommended measures.

FAQ

How do I start a request for a speed hump near a Staten Island school?
Start by filing a 311 request and notifying your community board; DOT may then perform a traffic study and decide whether to install speed humps or other measures.
Who decides if a speed hump can be installed?
NYC DOT makes the final decision based on engineering criteria, emergency access, bus routes and community input.
How long does the process take?
Timelines vary by workload and study results; DOT does not publish a fixed timeline on the program page.

How-To

  1. File a 311 service request reporting safety concerns near the school and request a DOT traffic study.
  2. Notify and meet with your community board to document local support and gather any petitions.
  3. Provide DOT with observed data at peak school times and respond to DOT requests for information.
  4. Review DOT study findings and implement recommended countermeasures or follow up if conditions change.

Key Takeaways

  • NYC DOT controls installation of speed humps and evaluates requests by technical criteria.
  • Begin with a 311 report and community board engagement to start the official process.
  • Specific fines or appeal deadlines are not published on DOT program pages; contact DOT for enforcement details.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] NYC DOT Traffic Calming Program
  2. [2] NYC DOT Speed Humps information
  3. [3] NYC DOT Neighborhood Slow Zones

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