photo by: contributed photo

A diagonal diverter at 8th and Mississippi streets is pictured on Nov. 23, 2021.

The Old West Lawrence neighborhood is piloting a new traffic control method aimed at reducing cut-through traffic on residential streets, and neighbors will ultimately vote on whether a permanent version of temporary traffic diverters should be installed.

The City of Lawrence announced in September that Old West Lawrence had been selected as the first area for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Pilot Program, and temporary traffic control devices were installed earlier this month and will be in place until the spring.

There have been some mixed reactions to the traffic diverters, which prohibit motorists from making certain turns or entering streets at certain intersections. Some have been happy with the reduction of cut-through traffic on the neighborhood’s residential streets, but others have expressed confusion and frustration, or concerns about some drivers ignoring the temporary devices by just driving over them.

Old West Lawrence Neighborhood Association President Eric Kirkendall said what he’s heard from neighbors directly has been mostly positive, but there have been some negative comments, especially on social media, including from people who don’t live in the neighborhood. Kirkendall said he saw the different perspectives and that ultimately residents will decide whether they want the temporary devices replaced with a permanent version, which he said could be adjusted based on particular concerns.

“It is quieter and safer, and I see fewer speeding cars and things like that, so I think it’s successful in that regard,” Kirkendall said. “I think it’s more complicating and confusing than anybody anticipated.”

photo by: City of Lawrence

A map shows the locations of nine temporary traffic calming devices installed as part of a pilot program in Old West Lawrence.

Though there is a map of the diverters available, Kirkendall said that at this point the diverters are not on Google Maps, so visitors who use that service to navigate to someone’s house won’t necessarily be able to follow the route indicated. Some residents also have to follow less-direct routes to get to their homes from certain locations.

The city is working with JEO Consulting Group on the pilot program, and city staff reviewed applications from two neighborhoods to be the pilot study area before ultimately selecting Old West Lawrence, according to a city news release. The release states that the pilot program aims to reduce cut-through traffic in the neighborhood and may also help to address speeding and other traffic safety concerns related to pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. On the project website, a Frequently Asked Questions section explains that the diverters are meant to funnel traffic off the local residential streets to wider collector streets, such as Maine Street and Tennessee Street.

The city collected traffic data before the diverters were installed and is collecting additional data to see how the pilot project affects some of the traffic issues observed in the initial collection phase. According to city data, 73% of vehicles violate the 20 mph speed limit on local streets. Excluding Tennessee Street, which is a collector street, the maximum speed clocked was 59 mph. The maximum speed clocked on Tennessee Street was 80 mph.

photo by: contributed photo

A median diverter at 8th and Alabama streets in Old West Lawrence is pictured on Nov. 23, 2021.

Kirkendall said the diverters aim to make it less convenient for people to cut through the neighborhood using the local streets and to reduce traffic safety concerns associated with high traffic volume and speed. He mentioned an accident in September where two cut-through drivers, one speeding, caused a three-car accident that heavily damaged the car of an Old West Lawrence resident that was also involved. Still, he said the project was a trade-off, and residents would have to weigh the benefits.

“Our only intention was to make it a little less convenient for people to (cut through), but the trade-off is it’s a little less convenient for us to get to our houses,” Kirkendall said. “My view is, in the end the vote is going to be, is the inconvenience worth the safety gains?”

Kirkendall said that following a meeting to present the before-and-after traffic data, all Old West Lawrence residents would be able to vote this spring on whether they would like to a see a permanent version of the traffic diverters installed.

The temporary traffic diverters use traffic signs in conjunction with rubber curbs, but presentation materials from JEO Consulting Group indicate that permanent programs would use concrete curbs, stamped concrete and other more permanent materials.