Speed and Volume
The City of Fort Lauderdale uses the following strategies and tools to help increase safety and comfort for all users. Find out more information about each strategy or tool in this page.
You can also download the complete Neighborhood Traffic Calming Strategies(PDF, 5MB). If you would like this publication in an alternate format, please call (954) 828-4826 or email transportation@fortlauderdale.gov.
Cost
The general price ranges provided are simply an estimated cost for a standard project. Actual costs may vary based on the specific project, location, etc.
Key
- $: $0 - $5,000
- $$: $5,001 - $25,000
- $$$: $25,001 - $50,000
- $$$$: $50,001+
Chicane
Description: Roadway treatment that creates shifting deviations in the street by the implementation of curb extensions or islands
Advantages
- Traffic calming effects on roadway
- Increased potential for landscaping and drainage improvements
Disadvantages
- No separation between bicycle and vehicular traffic
- Increased maintenance costs if landscape is added
Cost: $$$
Threshold
- Local streets
- Posted speed limit of 35 mph or lower
- Between 450 - 3,500 vehicles per day
Community Support
Choker / Pinch Point
Description: Mid-block narrowing of roadway that requires drivers to slow down or yield to each other to maneuver through the area
Advantages
- Traffic calming effects on roadway
- Potential for a mid-block crossing
- Opportunity for landscaping and drainage improvements
Disadvantages
- If landscaping is added, increased maintenance
- Potential loss of on-street parking
- Potential to impact existing roadway drainage
Cost: $$$
Threshold
- Local streets
- Posted speed limit of 35 mph or lower
- Between 450 - 3,500 vehicles per day
Community Support
Colored Pavement
Description: Painted or stamped pavement signaling a pedestrian priority area. Crosswalks, intersections, and excess pavement areas are appropriate for this treatment.
Advantages
- Creates a unique identifier in the community
- Art in public places
- Community can be engaged in the artwork/pattern design
Disadvantages
- Stamped pavement may create noise
- Increased maintenance costs to keep colors vibrant
Cost: $$ - $$$ (varies on size and treatment)
Threshold: All roadway classifications
Community Support: HOA
Median Islands
Description: Raised island most commonly used to separate opposing directions of traffic. Also used for access management
Advantages
- Reduced cut-through traffic
- Opportunity for landscaping and drainage improvements
Disadvantages
- Potential to restrict access to streets
- Increased maintenance costs, if landscaping is added
- Potential impact on roadway drainage
Cost: $$
Threshold
- All roadway classifications
- Posted speed limit of 35 mph or lower
- Greater than 450 vehicles per day
Community Support
Pavement Markings and Signage
Description: Pavement surface treatments or roadway signage intended to visually signalize to drivers to be alert or to slow down
Advantages
- Increased awareness of surroundings
Disadvantages
- Drivers may not obey without enforcement
- Effectiveness lessens with time
Cost: $ (varies on length)
Threshold: All roadway classifications
Community Support: HOA
Raised Crossing
Description: A raised area in the roadway for pedestrians crossing
Advantages
- Traffic calming effects
- Improved visibility of pedestrian crossing
Disadvantages
- May impact existing roadway drainage
Cost: $$
Threshold
- Local streets
- Posted speed limit of 35 mph or lower
- Greater than 450 vehicles per day
Community Support: HOA
Raised Intersection
Description: Raised area for an entire intersection used to reduced vehicle traffic speeds and create additional awareness of pedestrians at the intersection
Advantages
- Traffic calming effects
- Self-enforcing
- Improves visibility of pedestrian crossing areas
Disadvantages
- May impact existing roadway drainage
Cost: $$$$
Threshold
- Local streets
- Posted speed limit of 35 mph or lower
- Greater than 450 vehicles per day
Community Support
HOA
Roundabout
Description: Type of circular intersection or junction in which traffic flows almost continuously in one direction around a central island
Advantages
- Reduced speeds
- Reduced severity and number of collisions
- Simplifies flow of traffic
- Opportunity for landscaping and drainage improvements
Disadvantages
- May restrict turning movements of larger vehicles
- Large footprint may not fit within existing roadway
- Increased maintenance costs if landscaping is added
Cost: $$$$
Threshold
- All roadway classifications
- Posted speed limit of 35 mph or lower
- Greater than 450 vehicles per day
Community Support: HOA
Rumble Strips
Description: Pavement surface treatments intended to cause drivers to experience vehicular vibrations signaling drivers to slow down
Advantages
- Effective at reducing speeds
Disadvantages
- Vibration noise may be inappropriate in residential areas
Cost: $
Threshold: All roadway classifications
Community Support
- HOA
- Neighbors within 100’ of project
Speed Cushions
The City has a speed hump policy. The Commission passed the most recent revision to the policy on June 19, 2018.
Description: Raised speed cushions strategically induce a gentle rocking motion for controlled speed reduction, prioritizing safety and enabling smooth navigation for larger vehicles. With thoughtful placement for effective traffic control, they're a cost-effective, easily removable, and sustainable alternative to traditional speed humps, enhancing road safety.
Advantages
- Effective at reducing speeds
- Self-enforcing
Disadvantages
- Additional roadway signage is required
- Potential to increase response time for emergency vehicles
- Transit services will no longer use roadway
- May shift problems to other roads
Cost: $ per speed hump
Threshold: Read our Speed Hump Policy(PDF, 214KB)
Community Support: Read our Speed Hump Policy(PDF, 214KB)
4-Way / All-Way Stop Signs
In order to install stop signs, a warrant analysis must be completed that meets the requirements outlined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Please note that Broward County controls the installation and maintenance of all traffic control devices within the City of Fort Lauderdale under a Traffic Engineering Agreement (TEA). The County must approve the stop sign based on the MUTCD requirements prior to installation.
Description: An intersection in which traffic in all directions is required to stop before proceeding into the intersection
Advantages
- Requires all users of the intersection to stop before proceeding
- Reduced severity of collisions
- Reduced number of collisions
Disadvantages
- Potential to increase response time for emergency vehicles
Cost: $$
Threshold: Please see Chapter 2B of the MUTCD 2009 Edition
Community Support: Not applicable if warranted