Greenleaf Boulevard Traffic Calming

This neighborhood project aims to calm existing traffic on Greenleaf Boulevard in the Parkview Hills Neighborhood, while also providing space for pedestrians and cyclists.

Jump to: SPeed Data Updates & Survey

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OVERVIEW

In 2018-2019, the City of Kalamazoo and the residents of Parkview Hills worked together to create the Parkview Hills Neighborhood Plan. The Plan, adopted in June of 2020, provides a series of suggestions to calm traffic on Greenleaf Boulevard, make a clear and safe road network, and to create a safe network for cycling and other modes of non-motorized transportation.

During the planning process, the greatest concern expressed by residents is the width and high speeds of Greenleaf Boulevard. Wide and unmarked lanes encourage drivers to travel at higher speeds without having to worry about pedestrians or bicyclists who may also be using the same street. The first step in the traffic calming process on Greenleaf Boulevard was the installation of a speed radar sign which alerts drivers of their current speed when entering the neighborhood.

Residents also shared their desire to use Greenleaf Boulevard to connect to Parkview Avenue, the clubhouse, and the shops located at the northern edge of the neighborhood by foot or bicycle. One way in which to accomplish both traffic calming and provide on-street amenities is to reduce the number of lanes on Greenleaf Boulevard and use paint, signage, and other traffic calming devices to make the lanes clear, using the extra space to create room for both on-street parking and a bicycle lane.

The Parkview Hills Neighborhood Plan recommends:

Make a clear and safe road network

Greenleaf Boulevard is a wide roadway and entrance into the neighborhood, and a large portion of the road remains unstriped which contributes to an increase in speeding and aggressive driving behavior. To make Parkview Hills and the users of the amenities safer, residents of the neighborhood have asked that improvements are made that will increase the navigability of the road network and promote safe travel speeds.

This project aligns with the Parkview Hills Neighborhood Plan by:

Exploring ways to slow traffic particularly on Greenleaf Boulevard.

Create a safe network for cycling and other non-motorized transportation modes

There are currently no pedestrian or bike facilities in the Parkview Hills neighborhood. Residents have expressed concern for the safety of both pedestrians and cyclists, especially on Greenleaf Boulevard as it is an important connection in-and-out of the neighborhood allowing residents to safely access daily needs such as trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, schools, meeting spaces and houses of worship.

This project aligns with the Parkview Hills Neighborhood Plan by:

Creating a dedicated space for pedestrians and cyclists on Greenleaf Boulevard.

PROJECT MANAGER

Dennis Randolph, Traffic Engineer

Nolan Bergstrom, Community Planner

OBJECTIVES

Implement the Parkview Hills Neighborhood Plan goal of creating a dedicated space for bikes and pedestrians, and calming traffic on Greenleaf Boulevard by using paint, signage, and other traffic calming devices.
Improve parking options for neighborhood amenities near Greenleaf Boulevard including the association tennis courts, playground, neighborhood retail, and access to natural features.
Encourage bicycle travel as a positive alternative by providing a dedicated bike lane from the neighborhood and connecting users to the larger city-wide network at Parkview Avenue.
Work with the Parkview Hills Neighborhood Association and the individual condominium associations to monitor the changes to Greenleaf Boulevard and adjust as necessary.

SCHEDULE

July 22, 2021 - Open House at Parkview Hills Clubhouse from 6 PM - 8 PM

August 9, 2021 - Present findings from survey collection and Open House to Parkview Hills Neighborhood Board

September 21, 2021 - Present Design for Traffic Calming during Open House at Parkview Hills Clubhouse from 4PM - 6PM

Fall 2021 - Implementation

PARTNERSHIPS

Parkview Hills Neighborhood (NAPH)

STAFFING

Public Services

Community Planning & Economic Development

CONSISTENT WITH PLANS

Master Plan, Strategic Vision, Parkview Hills Neighborhood Plan

STRATEGIC VISION GOALS

Connected City, Complete Neighborhood

METRICS

Monitor vehicle speeds both before and after project implementation

Monitor the number of vehicles parked in newly dedicated parking spaces on Greenleaf Boulevard

Neighborhood survey to better understand the safety of driving, walking, and biking on Greenleaf Boulevard

BUDGET

To Be Determined

FUNDING SOURCE

Foundation for Excellence

PROJECT VIDEO

A brief video explaining the upcoming Greenleaf Boulevard Traffic Calming Project. Presentation Slides

WHAT WE HEARD

The City of Kalamazoo and NAPH hosted multiple opportunities for residents to provide input in July 2021, including an online survey and an in-person neighborhood meeting at the Parkview Hills Clubhouse.

57% of residents said they wanted to reduce/right-size Greenleaf Boulevard to one lane in each direction
86% of residents said they wanted to see the new found space on Greenleaf Boulevard to be used for Walk/Bike facilities
Only 9% of residents said they wanted to see Greenleaf Boulevard be left ‘as is’

Most residents wanted to see space for walking and biking added to Greenleaf Boulevard, in addition to on-street parking near the tennis court and playground. Overall, there is a feeling that Greenleaf Boulevard as is, was not safe for all neighborhood residents and that some adjustments needed to be made.

WHAT WILL BE IMPROVED?

In the next few weeks, the City of Kalamazoo will be installing new paint markings, flexible bollards and signage to help improve the safety and accessibility of Greenleaf Boulevard. This traffic calming will include:

One 11’ travel lane in each direction between Parkview and Greenleaf Circle
Marked turn-lanes on Greenleaf Boulevard at both Parkview and Greenleaf Circle
An on-street marked path for pedestrians on both sides of Greenleaf Boulevard
An on-street marked bicycle lane on both sides of Greenleaf Boulevard
Flexible bollards spaced approximately every 50 feet to help alert drivers to stay in the travel lane
Limited On-Street Parking at the Tennis Courts and Playground
Additional signage on Greenleaf Boulevard

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS

Parking: An area of dedicated on-street parking will be located near the Tennis Courts and Playground. Pedestrians and Cyclists will have to share the street with parked vehicles in this small section to ensure all users have access to the road.
Bus Transportation: Due to the design of the street and the flexible bollards, busses will still be able to navigate the street and pick-up/drop-off residents at their signed locations without any issues.
Snow Removal: Due to the design of the street and the flexible bollards being placed approximately every 50 feet, snow plows will be able to still remove significant snowfall on the walk/bike section of the street.
Length of Project: This project aims to calm traffic for the neighborhood and make the street safer for both pedestrians and cyclists. The City will monitor speeds over the next several months after installation to see how driver behavior has changed. Updates will be provided to NAPH throughout the installation. This is a PILOT project, which means that while there is no end date for the installation, adjustments can be made between measurement periods to continue improving the project.

2022 - Traffic Calming Updates

Quarter 1 - 2022 - Speed Update

Speed data was collected from June 2021 through December 2021. Average speeds decreased by nearly 16% (4.6 mph) from the before average speed of 28.6 mph.

Quarter 2 - 2022 - Speed Update

Speed data collected through June 2022 shows average speeds are 13.3% (3.8 mph) less than the before speed of 28.6 mph. Average speeds are shown to have increased slightly since Quarter 1. Average speeds prior to traffic calming were 28.6 mph (3.6 mph above the posted speed limit of 25 mph). This reduction by 3.8 mph aligns average vehicle travel speeds with the posted speed limit of 25 mph.

Quarter 3 - 2022 - Speed update

Speed data collected through October 2022 shows average speeds are 11.1% (3.2 mph) less than the before speed of 28.6 mph. Speeds are shown to have increased slightly since Quarter 1 and Quarter 2. Average speeds prior to traffic calming were 28.6 mph (3.6 mph above the posted speed limit of 25 mph). This reduction by 3.2 mph still aligns average vehicle travel speeds with the posted speed limit of 25 mph.

Use the button below to be directed to a survey where you can provide feedback. The survey link is still active and no deadline has been set.

Traffic Calming Updates Survey Link