Addressing Traffic Concerns in Greensboro Neighborhoods
Greensboro is taking steps to address traffic issues in several neighborhoods, including Pembroke Road. The city’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program aims to identify and resolve areas where speeding and unsafe driving are prevalent. This initiative has sparked discussions among residents who have long struggled with traffic problems.
In the summer of 2024, city leaders reached out to residents to gather input on the most problematic roadways. Hundreds of applications were submitted, highlighting concerns about speeding and reckless driving. Residents on Pembroke Road, in particular, have voiced their frustrations for years.
Darrell Wayne Powers, a long-time resident of Pembroke Road, shared his concerns. He mentioned that the road has become increasingly busy, with drivers often exceeding speed limits. “The biggest problem is just so many people flying down the road,” he said. Powers and his wife have lived on the street for nearly 40 years, witnessing the changes over time.
He noted that the area has become more accessible due to nearby developments, leading to increased traffic. “Since I’ve built more stuff up here at Friendly, it’s opened this up, and people use Pembroke as a cut through and Fairway, and I think they’ve shut off part of Fairway coming down Benjamin,” Powers explained.
Three weeks ago, Powers noticed a change in his neighborhood. “They put out these cones, and the way you go around the route, they’ve changed the line and the road and stuff,” he said. These changes represent a temporary measure implemented by the city to address community concerns.
Powers reported that he has noticed some improvement. “I have noticed it slowed the traffic down some,” he said. This positive feedback highlights the potential effectiveness of the city’s approach.
Last summer, Greensboro invited residents to apply for the program, resulting in nearly 350 applications within two months. The city then began collecting data and evaluating each submission. Streets were assessed based on various factors, which determined the level of need in each neighborhood.
Pembroke Road scored a 50, drawing the city’s attention. David Ortega, a supervisor from the Greensboro Department of Transportation Engineering, explained the situation. “It transitions basically from a single-family residential neighborhood down into the family center, more commercial district. So what we saw there were high speeds and high volumes. So we’ve done a couple of different things,” he said.
The pop-up traffic control measures are part of a temporary solution. “You can start seeing some of what we’re referring to as pop-ups … We build islands, chokers, and a lot of delineators prior to spending a whole lot of money doing infrastructure improvements,” Ortega added.
To assess the impact of these changes, the city conducts an initial speed study. A follow-up study is planned for mid-August to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures and determine if they should be continued long-term. “It’s not going to be impacted by school traffic or something seasonal. We’re comfortable doing that during the summer months as opposed to a neighborhood that fronts or is adjacent to the school where traffic patterns change during school time,” Ortega explained.
Several other streets have also been selected for evaluation. In early fall, the city plans to reopen the application portal for residential streets to be considered for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. This ongoing effort reflects the city’s commitment to improving safety and addressing community concerns.
