Citizens Traffic Committee

Overview

Established by City Ordinance §39-35, the traffic committee functions to review proposed traffic regulations and traffic safety issues.

The traffic committee is comprised of seven regular members and one alternate, for three-year terms. The committee consists of Royal Oak property owners appointed by the city commission; they are volunteers and are not paid or elected.

It is important to understand that professionals make preliminary recommendations to the Traffic Committee. They consist of civil and traffic engineers, outside consultants and planning and public safety officials.  The ultimate recommendation to the city commission will be one that benefits our citizens and community as a whole.

Reporting Concerns and Making Requests

The City of Royal Oak Citizens Traffic Committee hears requests by concerned citizens and property owners with regard to traffic volume issues and flow concerns, land signage, and traffic and parking signage.

Written requests may be made in accordance with the Traffic Committee Request Instructions. If a petition of the neighborhood is required, one will be sent to the applicant for their circulation to residents affected by the request.

Once staff has completed its review of pertinent information and prepared an analysis, the request will be placed on the next Citizens Traffic Committee meeting and the applicant will be notified of the meeting date.

Attending Meetings

The committee typically meets on the fourth Tuesday of every odd-numbered month.  Requests are openly discussed in a semi-formal atmosphere where citizens are encouraged to participate in the discussion and formulation of solutions that benefit the city.

After items are discussed with the traffic committee, they are presented to the city commission at one of the following meetings. Agendas, meeting minutes and videos for city commission are available here.  If attending a commission meeting, note that public comments are only made during the "public comment" portion of the city commission agenda and not when the items are voted upon.

Common Requests

Speed Hump Criteria &

Request Procedure

At the December 12, 2022 city commission meeting, a criteria was established for the installation of speed humps on residential streets in the city.

View the Criteria, Request Procedure & FAQspeed hump

Stop Signsstop sign

Will a Stop sign slow traffic on our street?

At the right place and under the right conditions, a Stop sign tells drivers and pedestrians WHO has the right of way.

The city concurs with the Michigan Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD) that the purpose of regulatory signs is to promote safe traffic and pedestrian movements and actions. The city also concurs with national studies that indicate inappropriately placed stop signs do not necessarily lessen speeding and can result in higher speeds. 

Stop signs installed in the wrong places for the wrong purposes usually create more problems than they solve.