Emmeline Drive Traffic Calming Project
Herriman City is implementing several traffic-calming devices along Emmeline Drive to encourage slower, safer driving through the neighborhood. Resident comments and traffic data have reported speeding concerns on the road.
Devices include driver speed feedback signs, roadway narrowings, and a small traffic circle. The roadway narrowings and traffic circle will initially use flexible materials, allowing the City to evaluate their effectiveness and make adjustments before considering any longer-term modifications.
The City will continue evaluating conditions after installation. Traffic data and resident feedback will be used to measure how the devices are performing and inform future decisions. A follow-up community meeting is also planned after the City has had time to evaluate the changes.
What Devices Are Being Installed?
Devices and efforts include:
- Roadway narrowings using flexible delineator posts to create narrower travel lanes at three locations
- Note: the westernmost narrowing will not be installed until the Rosecrest Pipeline project finishes work in the Emmeline/Crown Rose Drive area. Work in this area is expected in mid- to late fall.
- A small traffic circle using flexible materials to slow vehicles as they travel through the intersection
- Driver feedback signs that display the speed of approaching vehicles and remind drivers of the posted speed limit
- Traffic monitoring following installation to measure how vehicle speeds and other traffic conditions change
- Increased enforcement by Herriman Police patrol officers
The flexible traffic-calming features are intended to be evaluated before the City considers any future modifications.
Traffic-Calming Examples
The images below are of current or planned traffic-calming devices on the road.
Select an image to view the full-size version.
Project Status and Next Steps
Most of the planned traffic-calming devices along Emmeline Drive are now in place, including roadway narrowings, the small traffic circle, and driver feedback signs.
The westernmost roadway narrowing has not yet been installed due to work associated with the Rosecrest Pipeline project near Emmeline Drive and Crown Rose Drive. That final section will be installed once pipeline work has progressed far enough to allow the improvement to be completed.
As the project moves into the evaluation phase, the City will continue to:
- Monitor traffic conditions and vehicle speeds to evaluate how the devices are affecting driver behavior
- Collect additional traffic data over the coming months to evaluate how the devices are performing over time
- Gather resident feedback throughout the evaluation period
- Provide increased police patrols in the area
- Hold a follow-up community meeting to share findings and gather additional feedback. The meeting date is to be determined. Residents will be informed when the meeting is scheduled.
Feedback and Project Updates
Resident feedback will continue to be an important part of the evaluation process. Questions, comments, or feedback about the Emmeline Drive traffic-calming project can be sent to emmeline@herriman.gov.
Residents can also sign up for City notifications to receive general and situational updates about the Emmeline Drive area, including information that may affect traffic or access during project work. If your entered address is on Emmeline Drive or adjacent streets, you'll automatically be added to the email group. You may also choose to register for other City news categories when you set up your account.
A follow-up community meeting is expected. The date has not yet been determined. Additional information will be shared with residents as the project progresses and traffic data becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the Emmeline Drive traffic-calming improvements and how the City is evaluating the pilot project.
Why does the Juniper Crest/Emmeline Drive intersection feel narrow?
The roadway narrowing at Juniper Crest and Emmeline Drive is intended to reduce vehicle speeds while maintaining enough space for vehicles to navigate the intersection. After reviewing the installation and resident feedback, City staff determined that the flexible delineator posts were placed slightly tighter than intended. The posts have been marked for adjustment and will be relocated to provide additional operating space.
Can school buses, trucks, and other large vehicles navigate the traffic circle?
Yes. The traffic circle was designed using a school bus as the governing design vehicle and is intended to accommodate school buses and other large vehicles. City staff have observed school buses and other large vehicles successfully navigating the circle. Drivers of larger vehicles may need to travel more slowly and deliberately through the area, which is consistent with the traffic-calming goals of the project.
Why is the traffic circle this size?
The traffic circle is intentionally sized to require drivers to slow down and change their travel path as they move through the intersection. Making the circle smaller could allow vehicles to travel through more directly and at higher speeds, reducing its effectiveness as a traffic-calming measure.
Can vehicles park near the traffic circle?
City parking regulations prohibit parking within 30 feet of an intersection. Vehicles parked too close to the traffic circle can affect visibility and the space available for vehicles navigating the intersection. The City is working to educate residents about applicable parking requirements and encourages voluntary compliance.
Why are flexible delineator posts being used?
The delineator posts are part of the pilot installation and allow the City to test and adjust the traffic-calming treatments before considering future modifications. They are intentionally highly visible so drivers can easily recognize changes in the roadway. The City also has replacement posts available if delineators become damaged during the evaluation period.
Will the traffic-calming improvements affect snow removal?
The City has discussed winter maintenance with its Public Works team and expects snowplows to continue operating along Emmeline Drive. Minor modifications to the temporary treatments may be necessary to accommodate snow removal, but the City currently expects most of the project to remain in place through the winter.
How will the City determine whether the improvements are working?
The City plans to conduct follow-up speed studies to measure the effectiveness of the pilot project. Staff will use traffic data, field observations, and resident feedback when evaluating the improvements and determining whether adjustments or future modifications should be considered.
Initial field observations suggest vehicles are slowing at the traffic-calming locations, but the City will rely on collected data before drawing final conclusions.
Why doesn't the City install stop signs instead?
Stop signs are intended to control right-of-way at intersections and are installed based on established traffic-engineering criteria, rather than primarily as a speed-control measure. Installing stop signs where they are not warranted can result in lower driver compliance, including rolling stops and inconsistent behavior.
This can also create concerns for pedestrians who expect approaching vehicles to stop. The current pilot treatments are specifically intended to encourage lower speeds and greater driver awareness along Emmeline Drive.