Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program

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Traffic Calming Supply Trailer

The City of Bozeman's Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program is a citizen-initiated program focused on improving the safety and comfort of people traveling by all modes of transportation on neighborhood streets.

The program includes both temporary and seasonal installations as well as permanent modifications to neighborhood streets. The program does not include capital projects.

Program Objectives

Provide a clear and transparent process to address citizen concerns regarding traffic on neighborhood streets.
Decrease the frequency and severity of crashes on neighborhood streets.
Reduce the speed of neighborhood vehicle traffic.
Discourage the use of neighborhood streets for cut-through vehicle traffic.
Encourage active transportation (walking, bicycling, rolling) in our neighborhoods.

History of Traffic Calming in Bozeman

Beginning in 2017, the city partnered with the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) and community members to plan and install seasonal quick build projects to address concerns about traffic in neighborhoods.

In 2025, the program evolved from a partnership with WTI to being fully administered by the City of Bozeman. Although the city maintains full responsibility of the program, neighborhood groups and community members continue to be key partners in the installation and maintenance of projects.

The city maintains the in-street features and the community members often fill the blank canvas of street paint with art and planters with flowers.

City staff documents before and after installation data to evaluate whether the project is achieving program objectives.

Traffic Calming Request Form

Neighborhood Traffic Calming request application window is now open, and runs through March 6th, 2026. Click button below to apply.

Traffic Calming Request Form

FAQs

How do I apply for neighborhood traffic calming?

To participate in the program, you must complete the traffic calming request form and agree to serve as the point of contact for the request.

The location of the request must be on a local street that is city owned and publicly maintained. If you are not sure if your location request is eligible, please contact city staff at traffic.calming@bozemanmt.gov for verification.

All project requests must include signatures from 50 percent of addresses within one (1) block of requested locations OR a letter of support from the neighborhood home owner's association (HOA) OR a letter of support from the city's Inter-neighborhood Council (INC) representative.

A template petition form for neighborhood signatures is provided with the application form.

How does the city choose which streets get traffic calming installations?

After verifying initial project eligibility, project requests are screened to ensure that limited public funds are being used in locations that most closely align with the program objectives.

During the project screening process completed by city staff, two (2) of the following three (3) criteria must be met at requested location:

Occurrence(s) of correctable crash(es) within five (5) years
At least 1,000 motor vehicles per day OR the documented 85th percentile speed is five (5) miles per hour over the posted speed
Surrounding land use indicates that the project is near an active transportation trip generator such as a school or park

How does the city prioritize limited funding for projects?

Project requests are scored based on a total of 100 possible points and then ranked based on the following metrics:

Documented vehicle crashes in the past five (5) years that are correctable by traffic calming measures - 20 points
Documented 85th percentile speed - 30 points
Vehicle volumes over 1000 vehicles per day - 20 points
The presence of pedestrian generators (schools, parks, etc.) - 20 points
Contextual considerations - 10 points (includes sight distance issues; atypical right-of-way; street curvature; type of intersection control (none, stop, yield, etc.); presence of active transportation infrastructure; proximity to other traffic calming installations; and/or as determined by staff)

How does the city pay for traffic calming projects?

When do installations take place?

Program Toolbox

The Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program's toolbox includes the following four horizontal deflection devices:

Splitter Island

Splitter Island on North 25th Avenue

Traffic Circle

Traffic Circle on Black Avenue

Pedestrian Refuge Island

Pedestrian Refuge Island near Kirk Park

Curb Extensions

What is the program schedule?

Project requests can be made year-round. Project screening will occur in the summer and fall for new projects being installed the following year. If your request is made after the spring installation, please keep in mind that a project may not be installed until the following year. Once a project is prioritized for installation using city funds, city staff will coordinate with you as the point of contact and provide updates on the project timeline.

What is the project evaluation process?

Temporary or seasonal installations are evaluated based on impacts to vehicle volumes and speeds and community feedback. Prior to permanently installing traffic calming treatments, consideration is given to impacts on utilities, emergency services, school bus routes, and traffic operations.

Vehicle speed and volume data is collected using a radar unit before and during installation to determine how the project impacts vehicle speeds and volumes. The 85th percentile speed is the speed that the majority of drivers traveled at or less than, which means 15 percent of drivers traveled faster than this speed. The average daily trips is the average recorded each day and counts vehicles traveling in both directions.

Evaluation Data of Previous Installations

2025 and earlier project evaluation table

City Of Bozeman