There are very few "walking communities" left in Allegheny County. Mt. Lebanon -- with about 33,000 residents in 6 square miles -- certainly qualifies.

It has produced its share of studies on the subject of cars, people and their interactions on the roads. A 2004 Pedestrian Safety Initiative examined 42 intersections in the municipality, where improvements to certain high-traffic areas have been made in recent months.

The ward of Dan Miller, one of Mt. Lebanon's five commissioners, includes two particularly difficult areas -- Washington Road and the intersection of Cochran Road and Cedar Boulevard. A young girl was recently involved in a hit-and-run incident at the second site; she sustained minor injuries.

Mr. Miller, an attorney and volunteer firefighter, said he has concerns about early results of a government efficiency study done by Matrix Consulting Group.

He said he believes there are inconsistencies in the group's description of police traffic enforcement and would like a comparison analysis.

"This was a little confusing," he said. "We've reached back out to Matrix and asked them for some supporting documentation."

Traffic control is a hot topic in Mt. Lebanon, where "calming" and "diversion" efforts often are met with acclaim and dismay from residents. For every street that benefits from driving restrictions, there are residents on nearby streets who fear an increase in volume because of them.

Darl Lyn McMahon lives near the intersection of Sunset Drive and Sleepy Hollow Road, in the neighborhood of Howe Elementary School.

She said drivers race up Sleepy Hollow, using it as a shortcut from Route 88 in Castle Shannon. The posted speed limit is 25 mph. On a recent afternoon, it was apparent cars were moving well beyond that.

But her chief concern, she said, is what she perceives to be a lack of sight lines at the intersection. Sunset has a steep descent as it nears Sleepy Hollow.

Unlike many of Mt. Lebanon's neighborhoods, this immediate area has no sidewalks.

"I believe sight lines are super important. We've been lucky; someone is going to get killed or maimed," said Mrs. McMahon, who complained that parked cars at the intersection make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.

She would like to see the curbs marked in "no-parking" yellow there and has complained to police and members of the municipal government.

Mt. Lebanon has a contract with Trans Associates to study problem areas and propose effective means of managing vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The Washington Road site is of particular concern.

"Washington Road could be eight lanes [wide], but as long as you have those 'choke points,' " it's a problem, according to Mike Mudry, an engineering manager with Trans Associates, who recently presented a very preliminary set of ideas to commissioners.

A "road diet" in the area might mean reducing the number of through lanes on Washington Road -- it's currently a four-lane stretch with no marked turn lanes -- and allowing larger areas for pedestrians and parking.

"That's an idea and nothing more than that right now," municipal Manager Stephen Feller said.

He added that the possibility will be studied by Mt. Lebanon's Economic Developmental Council.

"We want to make Washington Road more pedestrian-friendly, which is a goal everyone shares."