South Pasadena staff outline new Neighborhood Traffic Management Program to formalize responses to street safety requests

Bassam Bithal, South Pasadena’s transportation program manager, told the Public Works and Infrastructure Commission on Jan. 28 that staff will prepare a citywide Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) this calendar year to make traffic-safety responses more consistent.

"The neighborhood traffic management program is defined as a citywide comprehensive effort to provide safe, sustainable, and comfortable streets within our neighborhoods for all modes of transportation," Bithal said, describing a process that begins with a resident request, proceeds with data collection and nonphysical measures, and moves to physical treatments only after evaluation and funding approval.

Commissioners pressed staff on how cases will be prioritized and whether the program would require petitions. Bithal said the process begins with a resident request and does not require a formal petition to start an investigation, but petition thresholds for approval vary by jurisdiction and can be set at differing percentages (staff cited example thresholds of about 60%–75%) depending on the measure and geographic radius.

Several commissioners raised equity concerns, noting renter-occupied blocks and multifamily buildings where door-to-door petitioning is difficult. Commissioner Dunlap warned that political pressure from vocal residents or elected officials can sometimes bypass program rules; Bithal said the NTMP will provide staff with standardized guidance to reduce ad-hoc decision-making.

Staff described examples of rapid, interim responses the city has used—striping and signage on Orange Grove after a serious crash—and said the NTMP will clarify when staff can apply quick fixes versus when issues require a full study, council approval and dedicated funding. The commission discussed quarterly summaries and using the city mobile app to increase outreach and transparency about requests and outcomes.

The draft NTMP will return for further review after staff incorporates commissioner feedback and updates the petition, outreach and funding sections.

The commission took no formal vote on the NTMP at the meeting; staff asked for input to finalize the draft for future consideration by the commission and, where required, City Council.