The city has installed traffic circles and curb extensions at six intersections, including Clifton/Willaman, to study traffic calming. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

In a residential neighborhood in southeast Beverly Hills, cars cut around busy La Cienega, San Vicente and Wilshire boulevards – zooming down Clifton Way at unsafe speeds, running stop signs and making the area a dangerous corridor for residents, according to Beverly Hills transportation planner Jessie Holzer Carpenter.

“Clifton has two to three times the traffic volume that is recommended for livability, and there were speeds reported above 45 mph,” Holzer Carpenter said. “Additionally there was very poor stop sign compliance. For example, at Clifton and Arnaz, there [were] only 8% of drivers that stopped at the stop signs.”

The city is hoping to find solutions to the cut-through traffic by conducting a traffic-calming study. With a grant from Metro, the Beverly Hills Public Works Department has temporarily installed traffic-calming devices at six intersections on Clifton Way. The city will study the effect of the traffic-calming measures and remove them after six months. After the study is complete, the results will be used to determine long-term solutions to traffic problems in the area.

“The purpose of the feasibility study was to evaluate methods for reducing vehicle speeds, minimizing cut-through traffic, enhancing neighborhood quality of life and improving access to the future Metro stations for residents walking and biking to them,” Holzer Carpenter said.

The traffic-calming measures currently installed include four curb extensions at the Clifton/Hamel, Clifton/Willaman, Clifton/Carson and Clifton/Stanley intersections. The curb extensions narrow the roadway by placing barriers near crosswalks. The extensions also reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians and increase pedestrian and driver visibility, according to the National Association of Transportation Officials.

Additionally, the city installed two traffic circles at the Clifton/Arnaz and Clifton/Le Doux intersections. According to the National Association of Transportation Officials, traffic circles reduce vehicle speeds and increase pedestrian safety at crosswalks.

“In some cases [traffic circles] can help with stop sign compliance,” Holzer Carpenter added. The two traffic circles on Clifton Way aim to improve stop sign usage on the street.

The traffic-calming measures also have an impact on beautification. The traffic circles can be seen decorated with temporary trees and smaller plants, and the curb extensions feature vegetated planters at each corner acting as barriers.

The installation of the current traffic-calming measures followed a one-day installation of similar devices on Clifton Way in March 2023 for the city to seek feedback from the community. The city sent out a survey to residents in April and May of 2023.

“What we heard from that survey was that the vast majority of respondents would like to see a mix of curb extensions and traffic circles, and they wanted to see a six month demonstration,” Holzer Carpenter said.

According to Holzer Carpenter, the city is finishing up “minor tweaks” to the project such as moving stop signs to increase visibility, and hopes to complete the steps by the end of April. After the six months of implementation, the Public Works Department will return to City Council with the results of the study and further community feedback.

“We’ll return to City Council to present this information and see if they would like to keep the project as it is, maybe upgrade it to more permanent materials like concrete or perhaps remove it if it’s not effective,” Holzer Carpenter said.

For information, visit beverlyhills.org/cliftonledouxcorridormobilitystudy.