How to Request a Speed Bump on Your Street

Residents sometimes notice vehicles traveling too quickly near homes, schools, parks, sidewalks, or intersections. A speed bump, speed hump, or another traffic-calming treatment may help reduce unsafe speeds, but the city must first determine whether the location meets engineering, safety, and maintenance requirements.

A well-prepared request gives Public Works useful information about the concern. Details about the street, traffic patterns, nearby pedestrian activity, and specific safety problems can help staff evaluate the situation more efficiently.

Why traffic calming requests matter

Speed humps are raised sections of pavement designed to encourage drivers to slow down. They are different from speed bumps, which are usually shorter and more abrupt and may be used in private areas or parking lots. On public streets, the appropriate treatment depends on road design, traffic volume, emergency access, drainage, and surrounding land uses.

A traffic-calming request should focus on a documented safety concern rather than a general dislike of neighborhood traffic. Examples include repeated near-misses, vehicles failing to slow near a crosswalk, speeding during particular hours, or difficulty for children, older adults, and people with disabilities using nearby sidewalks.

The city may determine that a raised device is unsuitable and consider another measure, such as signs, pavement markings, enforcement coordination, curb improvements, or changes to parking. The objective is safer travel for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Check conditions before contacting the city

Begin by identifying the exact block or segment of roadway. Record the nearest addresses, intersections, school or park entrances, crosswalks, and other landmarks. Note when speeding appears most common, whether it occurs on weekdays or weekends, and whether the issue is connected to events, shift changes, or school arrival and dismissal.

Avoid collecting information in a way that creates a hazard. Do not stand in the roadway, follow vehicles, confront drivers, or use equipment while driving. A simple written log with dates, times, weather conditions, and observed patterns is often more useful than isolated estimates of vehicle speed.

Consider whether other infrastructure contributes to the concern. Blocked sightlines, poor lighting, faded markings, damaged sidewalks, or standing water may require a separate service request. Understanding how stormwater drainage works can also help residents distinguish a traffic concern from a drainage or pavement problem.

How the city reviews a request

Public Works may review traffic data, roadway geometry, crash history, pedestrian activity, speed limits, nearby land uses, and the effect on emergency response. Staff can also consider whether a speed hump would shift traffic onto neighboring streets or interfere with snow removal, drainage, transit, or driveway access.

A request does not guarantee installation. Traffic-calming projects may require an engineering study, public notice, funding, design work, and approval under city policies. Some streets may not qualify because they function as major routes, carry unusually high traffic volumes, have steep grades, or cannot safely accommodate a raised feature.

Residents should provide a specific location and explain the safety issue in clear, factual language. If several neighbors share the concern, a coordinated request can show that the issue affects the broader block, while still allowing the city to verify conditions independently.

Information to provide	Why it helps the review
Street name and nearest cross streets	Identifies the roadway segment
Dates and times of speeding concerns	Shows when the problem occurs
Nearby homes, parks, schools, or crossings	Establishes pedestrian and neighborhood context
Observed near-misses or conflicts	Describes the safety effect without exaggeration
Photos of signs or pavement conditions	Documents visible conditions safely
Contact information	Allows staff to request clarification or provide updates

Prepare a clear request

Use the city’s official Public Works contact method, such as its online service system, email, phone line, or other published department channel. Include your name, contact information, location, and a concise description of the concern. Attach photographs only when they can be taken safely and do not reveal unnecessary personal information.

Mention whether the issue involves speeding, cut-through traffic, pedestrian crossings, or a particular time period. Explain what you are requesting—an evaluation for a speed hump or another traffic-calming solution—rather than insisting on a design before the engineering review.

A useful request should contain:

• The street address or block where the issue occurs
• The approximate speed limit, if known
• Dates, times, and patterns observed
• Nearby sidewalks, crossings, parks, schools, or public facilities
• Any documented near-misses, collisions, or access problems
• A request for confirmation that Public Works received the report

For concerns connected to a neighborhood gathering, traffic control may involve a different process. Residents planning a block party can review the city’s guidance on a special event permit, rather than treating event-related congestion as a permanent speeding problem.

What happens after submission

City staff may acknowledge the request, ask for additional details, or refer it to the appropriate division. The review may include field observations, traffic counts, speed measurements, or coordination with other departments. Timing can vary depending on workload, data collection needs, funding, and whether the request is part of a larger capital project.

If the location qualifies for further consideration, the city may develop options and assess their cost, design, and effect on nearby properties. Installation may occur through a scheduled street project or a separate traffic-calming program. If the location does not qualify, staff may explain why and identify other possible responses.

Keep the original request and any case number for follow-up. Avoid sending repeated duplicate reports, since that can make it harder to track the issue. If conditions change—such as new construction, a damaged sign, or a serious crash—submit a separate update with the relevant facts.

Support safer streets while the review continues

Residents can help reduce risk while a request is being evaluated by keeping sidewalks and sightlines clear, reporting damaged signs or pavement, and using marked crossings where available. Drivers should obey posted speed limits and watch for pedestrians, cyclists, children, and workers near the roadway.

A speed hump is one possible tool, not a substitute for responsible driving or comprehensive street maintenance. When residents provide accurate observations and use the correct city channel, Public Works can compare the request with engineering standards and other infrastructure priorities.

For related city services, use the official Public Works resources for permits, street concerns, utilities, and account information. Residents managing municipal charges can also review online bill payment options through the department’s published guidance.

Submit a complete traffic-calming request through the City of Susanville Public Works Department’s official contact channels, keep a record of the submission, and continue reporting urgent hazards through the appropriate emergency or city service contact. Clear documentation helps the department evaluate the location and identify the safest practical improvement.