How to request a traffic study on your street

Residents may notice speeding, difficult intersections, blocked sightlines, unsafe crossings, or traffic patterns that have changed as a neighborhood grows. A traffic study gives the City of Susanville Public Works Department a structured way to examine these concerns and determine whether an engineering, maintenance, or traffic-control response is appropriate.

A study does not automatically result in a stop sign, speed hump, new signal, or parking restriction. City staff must review traffic conditions, safety records, roadway design, applicable standards, and available funding before recommending a change. A clear request helps staff understand the concern and collect useful information.

The Public Works website provides department information and access to municipal services, infrastructure resources, and contact details. Use the department’s current communication channels to submit your concern and keep a record of when the request was made.

Identify the location and safety concern

Begin with the exact street address, intersection, block, or nearby landmark. “Traffic is dangerous near my home” is difficult to evaluate, while “vehicles turning from Main Street regularly block the crosswalk at the intersection with a named side street” gives staff a specific location and behavior to examine.

Describe what you see, rather than assigning a technical solution. Include whether the concern involves speeding, cut-through traffic, limited visibility, pedestrian access, bicycle safety, turning movements, truck traffic, parking, school activity, or a damaged sign or marking. Explain how the issue affects residents and whether it occurs during particular hours, days, weather conditions, or seasonal events.

Gather useful observations

A traffic engineering review is more useful when the request includes dates, times, and repeated observations. Note when traffic is heaviest, how often the problem occurs, and whether it is connected to school drop-off, shift changes, construction, special events, or a nearby facility. Avoid standing in the roadway or taking risks to collect information.

Photos may help show faded lane markings, blocked signs, poor sight distance, or an obstruction. Do not photograph or publish private personal information, and do not confront drivers. If a roadway hazard creates an immediate danger, report it through the appropriate City contact rather than waiting to assemble a long record.

Submit the request through the City

Send the request to the Public Works Department using the contact method listed by the City. Include your name and preferred contact information, the precise location, a concise description, dates and times observed, and any supporting photographs or documents. State that you are requesting a traffic safety or traffic operations review, and identify the outcome you hope staff will evaluate.

A request may be routed to engineering, streets, code enforcement, law enforcement, or another agency depending on the issue. For example, a damaged sign may require maintenance, while an allegation of an actively dangerous driving violation may be better directed to law enforcement. After submitting the request, save the confirmation, email, or reference number so you can follow up accurately.

What the City may evaluate

Public Works staff may inspect the site, review collision history, examine roadway geometry, check existing signs and pavement markings, and compare the location with state and local standards. Depending on the concern, the City may collect speed data, traffic volume counts, turning-movement information, parking observations, or pedestrian and bicycle activity.

The review may determine that no engineering change is warranted, that maintenance is needed, or that additional analysis should occur. Possible recommendations can include refreshed markings, sign replacement, vegetation trimming, parking adjustments, visibility improvements, speed feedback equipment, or a larger capital project. A request for a traffic study starts an evaluation; it does not guarantee a particular device or construction project.

Understand common request types

Different traffic problems call for different information. Use the description that most closely matches the condition so staff can direct the request efficiently.

Concern	Helpful details	Possible review
Speeding	Time of day, direction of travel, approximate frequency, nearby homes or schools	Speed data, roadway classification, collision history
Unsafe crossing	Crosswalk location, pedestrian activity, visibility, curb ramps	Crossing conditions, signs, markings, sight distance
Intersection conflict	Turning movements, queues, blocked views, near misses	Intersection geometry, control devices, traffic volumes
Cut-through traffic	Origin and destination patterns, peak periods, neighborhood effects	Traffic counts, route patterns, access and circulation
Parking or loading	Blocked driveways, corner clearances, delivery times	Parking regulations, curb use, visibility and access
Damaged infrastructure	Sign, signal, marking, sidewalk, or obstruction details	Maintenance inspection and repair needs

A near miss is important context, but avoid presenting estimates as official crash data. If a collision occurred, include the date and location when known and note whether it was reported. Staff can use formal records alongside resident observations.

Follow up and allow time for review

Traffic analysis may take time because staff must schedule field observations, obtain reliable data, coordinate with other departments, or compare the request with broader transportation priorities. Some solutions also require public notice, design work, approval, grant funding, or inclusion in a future budget.

If you have not received an acknowledgment after a reasonable period, follow up with the original submission date and reference number. Ask whether the request was assigned, whether more information is needed, and whether staff can explain the next review step. Keep the communication focused on the location and documented safety concern.

For urgent utility-related hazards near the roadway, such as a gas leak or electrical danger, use the City’s after-hours utility contacts instead of submitting a routine traffic-study request. Immediate hazards require prompt reporting and may involve emergency responders.

Prepare a stronger request

A concise, factual submission helps the City distinguish a recurring transportation problem from a one-time event. Before sending your request, check that it includes:

The exact street, intersection, address range, or landmark
The specific safety concern and the people or movements affected
Dates, times, frequency, and conditions when the problem is most noticeable
Safe, relevant photos or supporting information without private personal data
Your contact details and a clear request for a traffic engineering review

The City may combine individual reports with other complaints, crash records, maintenance needs, and transportation data. Residents can support that process by reporting conditions consistently, avoiding unsafe observation practices, and describing the problem without demanding a predetermined result.

Submit a well-documented request through the City of Susanville Public Works Department so staff can review the location, identify the appropriate next step, and determine whether traffic controls, maintenance, enforcement coordination, or longer-term improvements are needed.