NEW BRITAIN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Transcription

1 NEW BRITAIN TOWNSHIP TRAFFIC CALMING COMMITTEE ********************************* REPORT To the NEW BRITAIN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

2 MAY 19,

3 Committee Members: A. James Scanzillo - Chair, Board of Supervisors Robert C. Bender - Interim Twp. Manager Cathy Kichline - Assistant Twp. Manager Leslie Bilotta - Citizen - Member at Large Robert Scafidi - Chief of Police, NBTPD Robert Burkhardt - Traffic Safety Officer, NBTPD Angela Benner - NBT Park and Recreation Liaison Wayne Fultz - NBT Public Works Superintendent Craig Kennard, P.E. - Gilmore & Assoc., Consulting Eng. 2

4 I. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF COMMITTEE: The Township of New Britain, Bucks County, PA, is located with a continually growing area of southeastern Pennsylvania, in the heart of Central Bucks County, bordering the equally active Montgomery County, on our southeastern border. Many New Britain Township roads are used on a daily basis by commuters leaving their homes in communities north and east of New Britain, as they travel towards employment, business, and transportation centers located in areas south and east of the township. This commuting pattern has created a situation wherein many township roads and intersections (as well as those in neighboring Chalfont Borough) are heavily congested during the morning commute, with vehicles generally backing up at intersections in a north, north-east direction. During the afternoon and evening reverse commute, the typical traffic congestion and backs are opposite the morning commute, however generally at the same intersections and locations. This pattern is most evident on roadways running parallel to County Line Road, including Schoolhouse Road, Route 152, Callowhill Road, Keeley Avenue and Bristol Road. The effect of this daily traffic congestion is as follows: 1. Motorists tend to seek alternate routes, even if longer in distance, to avoid daily congestion. 2. Motorists tend to increase speed when using alternate routes to make up for lost time by driving the extra distance. 3. The alternate routes typically include cutting across lower classifications of roads, including neighborhood streets, which were never intended to handle the speeds or volumes of traffic now being experienced. 4. All of the above has created a situation wherein many township residents have requested that something is done about traffic and/or about speeding in our development/neighborhood/street. The primary purpose of the New Britain Traffic Calming Committee is to evaluate these neighborhood situations and to make recommendations to the governing body as to the advisability of using traffic calming devices, or traffic calming techniques, to mitigate the aforementioned traffic problems. In preparing for this effort, the Traffic Calming Committee investigated similar efforts in other communities, and evaluated their success, as well as considering their failures. They also studied the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Manual for Traffic Calming, and reviewed similar studies from other municipalities. In summary, the New Britain Township Traffic Calming Committee has concluded that installation of traffic calming devices and techniques will help to mitigate speeding and 3

5 pedestrian safety problems at many locations in the township, especially in highly populated areas and neighborhoods. It was also determined from interviews with New Britain Township Police Chief Robert Scafidi, and Traffic Safety Officer Robert Burkhardt, that solving neighborhood problems will help to free up patrol officers thereby allowing them additional patrol and enforcement time on all other roads. The obvious conclusion is that all residents of the township, regardless of place of residence, will benefit from traffic calming, either directly or indirectly as we all share the same roads and highway interconnections. 4

6 II. COORDINATION WITH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN One element and objective of the New Britain Township Comprehensive plan is that we attempt to guide all future development towards a coordinated system and descending classification of streets, ranging from the highest classification (and traveled) being the Major Arterial Highways, such as U.S. Route 202, to the lowest (or least traveled) classification, being our neighborhood Cul-De-Sacs. In many cases, due to changing traffic patterns since the initial design and construction, without traffic calming efforts, the original roadway design which was based upon the planned use, volumes, and posted speed limits on local roads many years ago, (especially those roads being uses as commuting shortcuts ) will be defeated and these roads will become, or remain, functionally inadequate. Properly placed traffic calming devices, and/or traffic calming techniques, will help to retain the intended purpose of many local roads, as well as to help limit traffic speeds to the planned and designed roadway capacity, and design speeds. The township comprehensive plan recognized that proper roadway planning, and enforcement thereafter, will typically strengthen and protect neighborhoods - by improving the quality of life in residential areas. It recognized that traffic conditions on residential streets can greatly affect neighborhood livability. It also recognized that speeding traffic and unnecessary through-traffic in neighborhoods creates safety hazards on residential streets. Finally, the comprehensive plan, and the accompanying zoning and subdivision ordinances of New Britain Township, recognize that when traffic problems become a daily occurrence, our sense of community and personal wellbeing are threatened. As such, the Traffic Calming Committee believes that implementation of the projects, improvements, and activities recommended herein will serve to restore many local roads to the levels of service and average speeds as originally envisioned within the Comprehensive Plan, and as provided for in the original roadway planning and design. Making residential streets less desirable, and efficient, for cut through traffic has been proved in other municipalities effective in reducing traffic volumes on those streets, as well as being effective in returning traffic to the roadways, and highways, which were designed and designated for such traffic flows. It is the opinion of the Traffic Calming Committee that the recommendations herein are consistent with the recommendations, spirit and purpose of the New Britain Township Comprehensive Plan. 5

7 III. WHAT STREETS WILL BE ADRESSED UNDER THIS PLAN? This Policy addresses all residential minor arterial, principal collector, minor collector, and all local service streets. Arterials are major roads such as Route 202 and County Line Roads. The main role of an arterial is to provide intra-city mobility. In many cases, bus routes are located on minor arterials. Ideally, arterials do not penetrate identifiable neighborhoods, however, in NBT; many residential lots face Arterial Roadways. Collector Streets are typically streets that provide access between local streets or from local streets to arterial thoroughfares. Collector streets often carry some amounts of through-traffic. Streets such as Upper State, Township Line, Schoolhouse, Callowhill, Barry, Railroad Ave, and similar roads are collectors. Minor Collector streets are found in residential neighborhoods and provide a high degree of access to individual properties. As a rule, both right-of-way and paving widths are typically narrower than Arterials and principal Collectors and designated left turn lanes are infrequent. These streets typically run between higher classifications roadways and are the major roadways within residential developments. Local Streets are normally within developments and provide direct and full access to private property and are laid out so that their use by through-traffic is discouraged. Local street systems usually do not contain bus routes. These roads may include dead-end streets or Cul De Sacs. Local Service Streets or alleys re intended to provide secondary and in some cases primary access to private property. They are generally located within a commercial or high-density zoning area and are commonly known as alleys. 6

8 II. STREET EVALUATION AND PRIORITIZATION The initial evaluation of roadways by the Committee was focused upon roads and streets, or sections thereof, where the New Britain Township Police Department has identified special traffic enforcement problems, or frequency of traffic incidents. Another group of roads considered was roads with a high frequency of resident complaints, or requests for police services, other roads were added at the recommendation of the township public works and parks department due to unusual topography, or road conditions. Finally, roadway sections with a close proximity to school crossings, high rates of pedestrian crossings, or municipal parks and recreation areas were studied. Part of this process included interviews with municipal staff and officials as well as on-site visual inspections by committee members. In addition, members of the Police Department conducted inspections of the streets and/or intersections, and reviewed the existing traffic safety ordinances to determine the established speed limits. They then collected traffic volume and speed data on the roads being studied. The data collection was primarily completed by using electronic automatic traffic recorders over a period of days. The following data was collected: Speed data to determine the 85th percentile speed as well as the median speed and average. The volume of traffic for a typical day. This included both weekdays and weekends to provide a complete depiction of traffic conditions. The speed and volume data was collected in a form that enabled specific times of day to be evaluated in order to determine peak hour traffic volume and to identify any specific times of day when traffic speeds were higher. Determination of special circumstances, such as if the street is an emergency response route. The first step in the preliminary evaluation was to determine whether the posted speed is actually appropriate. Under the current ordinance, unless specifically identified in the ordinance, all residential streets in development have an established speed limit of 25 mph, regardless of the type of use, volume of traffic, or physical and geometric features. Once it is determined that a roadway has been properly posted and evaluated for speed, aggravating and mitigating factors are considered. Some of the types of factors considered are; the speed data collected, geometric features of the roadway sight distance, lane width, shoulder width, and the presence of sidewalks, the type of roadside development, the proximity of houses and other development to the street, pedestrian and bicyclist activity, 7

9 The absence of schools or school crossings, The density of driveways that intersect the roadway. This preliminary evaluation was used to determine whether the speeding or traffic volume problem is due to improper postings, or if speed calming actions are needed. Roadways determined to be in need of Traffic Calming efforts were then further evaluated using the PENNDOT Traffic Calming Street Evaluation and Point system. The point system is printed below: CRITERIA POINTS BASIS FOR POINT ASSIGNMENT Speed Extent by which 85 percentile speeds exceed posted speed limit; 2 points assigned for every 1 mph Volume Traffic Accidents Elementary or Middle Schools Pedestrian Generators Average daily traffic volumes; 1 point assigned for every 120 vehicles 1 point for every accident reported within past 3 years 5 points assigned for each school crossing on the project 5 points assigned for each public facility (such as parks, community centers, and high schools) or commercial use that generates a significant number of pedestrians Pedestrian Facility 5 points assigned if there is no continuous sidewalk on one side of the street; 10 points if missing on both sides 8

10 III. PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS: This prioritized list will be used to identify the streets upon which the Committee has recommended traffic calming measures, as well as the type and estimated cost of each recommendation. The techniques recommended will range from the installation of additional speed control signage, roadside reflectors, or additional street lighting. In other areas we may recommend installation of painted crosswalks or school crossing signs, or at the extreme, posting of special TRAFFIC CALMING ZONE signs, in which areas multiple traffic calming devices may be recommended. There will also be streets which will be considered for additional police presence and speed details, which may not be deemed appropriate for physical calming devices. These roads will typically be high volume, higher speed roadways where installation of more narrow cartways, or speed calming tables or humps could actually create or worsen traffic hazards. Lastly, it has been recognized that developing a traffic-calming project can take many months, adding to the delay experienced by residents. Therefore, interim strategies may be used to provide citizens with some improvement of their traffic problems while long-term solutions are being developed, or funded. The prioritized list and the speed and volume data will help the New Britain Township Police Department enforce our speeding laws more efficiently. The data also tells officers which streets have the most significant speeding problems. In addition, specific information about the speed profiles for the street can help officers focus their efforts on the most serious offenders. Traffic Speed Display Signs As part of the traffic calming program, the township may utilize speed display signs that use radar technology to show drivers the speed they are travelling. The Police Department and the Public Works Departments may place these signs on streets where speeding problems have been identified. The prioritized list with information about the level of speeding on various streets will help these departments place these signs more effectively. Some of these types of signs also have the ability to record traffic counts and traffic speed information. While these signs do not force scofflaw drivers to slow down, many drivers speed in neighborhoods without realizing how fast they are travelling. Reminding these drivers that they are exceeding the speed limit on a street can encourage them to drive more slowly. 9

11 Low-Cost Traffic Control Device Strategies: Under some circumstances, placement or removal of various traffic control devices such as signs and markings can improve the traffic problem on a residential street. If the township determines that a low-cost strategy may be beneficial, the strategy should be implemented as soon as personnel resources are available. Some examples of possible strategies are: Removing on-street parking restrictions can reduce speeds. For low-volume residential streets, parking on one side of streets will normally be allowed on streets with curb to curb widths of at least 20 feet. Parking on both sides of the street can normally be allowed on streets with widths of at least 24 feet. Any changes that will allow parked cars to effectively narrow the street should first be approved by the Fire Department. On streets with volumes over 1500 vehicles per day, a queuing analysis that considers traffic volume and the density of on-street parking may be necessary before allowing parking that would narrow the street down to one lane. On streets with parking allowed on only one side of the street, parking can be alternated from side to side along the length of the street to break up the visual continuity of long, straight streets. 10

12 IV. TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECTS: Traffic Calming Measures as described below will include a varied toolbox of traffic calming measures used with success elsewhere to reduce traffic problems on residential streets. This study is not intended to be the final answer, but rather a beginning point to address this problem. The committee recognizes that new or modified ideas for calming traffic are constantly being developed. It is also recognized that implementing traffic calming on one street can cause the problem to get worse on other streets, or create traffic problems where there were not significant problems before. Therefore, traffic calming projects will often need to include several streets in the same area. Some flexibility in selecting projects from the prioritized list will be necessary in order to accommodate appropriate grouping of streets. The Committees goal is to provide traffic calming in all regions of the township where the data indicates that it is needed. Flexibility in project selection is necessary to allow this goal of regional equity to be realized. Due to the criteria used, the rating chart will normally give higher scores for residential collector streets; however, it is important to have traffic calming projects on both residential and nonresidential streets at certain times. An example of this would be Route 202, between the residential neighborhoods of Brittany Farms and Oxbow Meadows. Normally projects will be completed only upon public roads owned and maintained by the municipality. However it is also recommended by the committee that the supervisors consider circumstances wherein Residents or a Homeowners Association may elect to pay for 100% of the construction costs via petition to implement a project. This should be done, however, only what such work can be completed while all high priority projects also remain on schedule. 11

13 *Schoolhouse Road (Trewigtown Road to Walnut Street) Township Road CRITERIA POINTS BASIS FOR POINT ASSIGNMENT Speed (35 MPH) 12 Volume 21 Traffic Accidents 5 Elementary or Middle Schools 0 Pedestrian Generators 0 Extent by which 85 percentile speeds exceed posted speed limit; 2 points assigned for every 1 mph Average daily traffic volumes; 1 point assigned for every 120 vehicles 1 point for every accident reported within past 3 years 5 points assigned for each school crossing on the project 5 points assigned for each public facility (such as parks, community centers, and high schools) or commercial use that generates a significant number of pedestrians Pedestrian Facility 5 Total Points 43 5 points assigned if there is no continuous sidewalk on one side of the street; 10 points if missing on both sides UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES: - Narrow bumpy road - Sidewalks in front of Goddard School only - High level of rush hour traffic - No shoulders on the road - Road is paved but not graded SHORT TERM RECOMMENDATION: - Signage paint speed limit on road - Reflectors LONG TERM RECOMMENDATION: - Study ways to realign the intersection - Widen where possible 12

14 (Schoolhouse Road in front of Goddard School heading towards Railroad Avenue) (Schoolhouse Road in front of Goddard school heading towards Trewigtown Road) 13

15 (Schoolhouse Road heading from Trewigtown Road to Railroad Avenue) 14

16 *Schoolhouse Road (Walnut Street to Cedar Hill Road) Township Road CRITERIA POINTS BASIS FOR POINT ASSIGNMENT Speed (35 MPH) 14 Volume 15 Traffic Accidents 5 Elementary or Middle Schools 0 Pedestrian Generators 10 Pedestrian Facility 10 Extent by which 85 percentile speeds exceed posted speed limit; 2 points assigned for every 1 mph Average daily traffic volumes; 1 point assigned for every 120 vehicles 1 point for every accident reported within past 3 years 5 points assigned for each school crossing on the project 5 points assigned for each public facility (such as parks, community centers, and high schools) or commercial use that generates a significant number of pedestrians 5 points assigned if there is no continuous sidewalk on one side of the street; 10 points if missing on both sides Total Points 54 UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES: - No Shoulder - Multiple accidents at the bend in front of Cedar Hill Road - Concern about possible danger to the Tot Lot located at West Branch Park - Road is in good shape - West Branch Park on one side of the street and a new park being developed across the street. SHORT TERM RECOMMENDATION: - Traffic Calming Zone sign at Railroad Crossing and at Meadow Ridge Lane LONG TERM RECOMMENDATION: - Engineering Study for Calming Tables in front of parks 15

17 (Schoolhouse Road from Cedar Hill Road heading towards Walnut Street) (Schoolhouse Road from Walnut Street heading towards Cedar Hill Road) 16

18 * East Schoolhouse Road (Manor Drive to Little Farm Estates) Township Road CRITERIA POINTS BASIS FOR POINT ASSIGNMENT Speed (25 MPH) 14 Volume 8 Traffic Accidents 7 Elementary or Middle Schools 0 Pedestrian Generators 5 Extent by which 85 percentile speeds exceed posted speed limit; 2 points assigned for every 1 mph Average daily traffic volumes; 1 point assigned for every 120 vehicles 1 point for every accident reported within past 3 years 5 points assigned for each school crossing on the project 5 points assigned for each public facility (such as parks, community centers, and high schools) or commercial use that generates a significant number of pedestrians Pedestrian Facility 0 5 points assigned if there is no continuous sidewalk on one side of the street; 10 points if missing on both sides Total Points 34 UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES: - Sidewalks are only on one side, however there is a fenced in walking path located at Highlands Park - Firehouse and Highlands Park located on one side of the street - Heavy Pedestrian crossing to shopping center and to the park SHORT TERM RECOMMENDATIONS: - Crosswalks at 4 way stop sign located at East Schoolhouse Road and Manor Drive - Crosswalk and Stop Sign at Tartan Terrace - Traffic Calming Zone Sign - Stop for Pedestrians In Crosswalk Sign LONG TERM RECOMMENDATION: - Engineer study for Calming Table at Tartan Terrace 17

19 (East Schoolhouse road heading from Little Farm Estates towards Manor Drive) (Intersection of Manor Drive and East Schoolhouse Road) 18

20 * Highlands Drive (Manor Drive to East Schoolhouse Road) Township Road CRITERIA POINTS BASIS FOR POINT ASSIGNMENT Speed (25 MPH) 14 Volume 5 Traffic Accidents 1 Elementary or Middle Schools 5 Pedestrian Generators 0 Extent by which 85 percentile speeds exceed posted speed limit; 2 points assigned for every 1 mph Average daily traffic volumes; 1 point assigned for every 120 vehicles 1 point for every accident reported within past 3 years 5 points assigned for each school crossing on the project 5 points assigned for each public facility (such as parks, community centers, and high schools) or commercial use that generates a significant number of pedestrians Pedestrian Facility 0 5 points assigned if there is no continuous sidewalk on one side of the street; 10 points if missing on both sides Total Points 25 UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES: - Sidewalks only on one side of the street - Back entrance to Butler Elementary - Heavy Pedestrian traffic consisting of kids walking and riding their bikes to school SHORT TERM RECOMMENDATION: - Traffic Calming Zone Sign 19

21 (Highlands Drive heading from Piper Place towards East Schoolhouse Road) (Highlands Drive heading from Loch Alsh Way towards Manor Drive) 20

22 *Upper State (Route 152 to County Line Road) Township Road CRITERIA POINTS BASIS FOR POINT ASSIGNMENT Speed (35 MPH) 24 Volume 25 Traffic Accidents 34 Elementary or Middle Schools 0 Pedestrian Generators 0 Extent by which 85 percentile speeds exceed posted speed limit; 2 points assigned for every 1 mph Average daily traffic volumes; 1 point assigned for every 120 vehicles 1 point for every accident reported within past 3 years 5 points assigned for each school crossing on the project 5 points assigned for each public facility (such as parks, community centers, and high schools) or commercial use that generates a significant number of pedestrians Pedestrian Facility 0 5 points assigned if there is no continuous sidewalk on one side of the street; 10 points if missing on both sides Total Points 83 UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES: - New development being built on Warrington Township s side of the road - NBT maintains both sides of the road - Ditches along side the road - High level of rush hour traffic - Left hand turns being made onto Highpoint Drive cause traffic to back up and lead to accidents SHORT TERM RECOMMENDATIONS: - Signage - More aggressive speed enforcement LONG TERM RECOMMENDATION: 21

23 - Left Hand Turning Lane onto Highpoint Drive (Intersection of Highpoint Drive and Upper State Road) (Upper State Road heading from County Line Road towards Highpoint Drive) 22

24 *Skyline Drive (Entire Length) Township Road CRITERIA POINTS BASIS FOR POINT ASSIGNMENT Speed (20 MPH) 28 Volume 5 Traffic Accidents 2 Elementary or Middle Schools 0 Pedestrian Generators 5 Extent by which 85 percentile speeds exceed posted speed limit; 2 points assigned for every 1 mph Average daily traffic volumes; 1 point assigned for every 120 vehicles 1 point for every accident reported within past 3 years 5 points assigned for each school crossing on the project 5 points assigned for each public facility (such as parks, community centers, and high schools) or commercial use that generates a significant number of pedestrians Pedestrian Facility 5 5 points assigned if there is no continuous sidewalk on one side of the street; 10 points if missing on both sides Total Points 45 UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES: - Road narrows heading from Route No lighting on street - Skyline Dr. is not a thru street - Steep hill on street SHORT TERM RECOMMENDATION: - School Bus Ahead sign LONG TERM RECOMMENDATIONS: - Engineering Study for Traffic Calming Tables 23

25 - Community Meeting to go over Traffic Calming Options (Skyline Drive heading from Beachwood Drive towards Route 202) (Skyline Drive heading from Route 202 towards Beachwood Drive) 24

26 *Township Line (Sellersville Road to Hilltown Pike) Township Road CRITERIA POINTS BASIS FOR POINT ASSIGNMENT Speed (45 MPH) 10 Volume 7 Traffic Accidents 10 Elementary or Middle Schools 0 Pedestrian Generators 0 Pedestrian Facility 10 Extent by which 85 percentile speeds exceed posted speed limit; 2 points assigned for every 1 mph Average daily traffic volumes; 1 point assigned for every 120 vehicles 1 point for every accident reported within past 3 years 5 points assigned for each school crossing on the project 5 points assigned for each public facility (such as parks, community centers, and high schools) or commercial use that generates a significant number of pedestrians 5 points assigned if there is no continuous sidewalk on one side of the street; 10 points if missing on both sides Total Points 37 UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES: - Only part of the road is lined - Straight open road, unmarked pedestrian crossings SHORT TERM RECOMMENDATIONS: - Additional pavement markings, (Speed limit painted on road), additional signage - Increased Police Enforcement. 25

27 (Township Line Road heading from Hilltown Pike towards Sellersville Road) (Township Line Road heading from Walters Road towards Hilltown Pike) 26

28 *Upper Stump Road (Callowhill to Route 313) Township Road CRITERIA POINTS BASIS FOR POINT ASSIGNMENT Speed (45 MPH) 12 Volume 12 Traffic Accidents 12 Elementary or Middle Schools 0 Pedestrian Generators 0 Pedestrian Facility 10 Extent by which 85 percentile speeds exceed posted speed limit; 2 points assigned for every 1 mph Average daily traffic volumes; 1 point assigned for every 120 vehicles 1 point for every accident reported within past 3 years 5 points assigned for each school crossing on the project 5 points assigned for each public facility (such as parks, community centers, and high schools) or commercial use that generates a significant number of pedestrians 5 points assigned if there is no continuous sidewalk on one side of the street; 10 points if missing on both sides Total Points 46 UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES: - Road is narrow with no sidewalks - NBT maintains the road from Keller Road to Route 313 only; Hilltown Township maintains the rest of the road - Multiple ditches on the side of the road RECOMMENDATION: - At this time the Traffic Calming Study Committee has no recommendations for calming Upper Stump Road 27

29 (Upper Stump Road heading from Upper Church Road towards Callowhill Road) (Upper Stump Road heading from Upper Church Road towards Keller Road) 28

30 (On Upper Stump Road crossing Route 313 to head towards Keller Road) (Upper Stump Road between Route 313 and Keller Road) 29

31 (Upper Stump Road heading from Keller Road towards Callowhill Road) (Upper Stump Road heading from Keller Road towards Route 313) 30

32 *Park Avenue (Bristol Road EXT to West Fairwood Drive) PENDOT Road CRITERIA POINTS BASIS FOR POINT ASSIGNMENT Speed (45 MPH) 8 Volume 16 Traffic Accidents 7 Elementary or Middle Schools 0 Extent by which 85 percentile speeds exceed posted speed limit; 2 points assigned for every 1 mph Average daily traffic volumes; 1 point assigned for every 120 vehicles 1 point for every accident reported within past 3 years 5 points assigned for each school crossing on the project Pedestrian Generators 5 5 points assigned for each public facility (such as parks, community centers, and high schools) or commercial use that generates a significant number of pedestrians Pedestrian Facility 5 5 points assigned if there is no continuous sidewalk on one side of the street; 10 points if missing on both sides Total Points 41 UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES: - EMS Building located on the street - Heavy Pedestrian traffic crossing the street to North Branch Park SHORT TERM RECOMMENDATIONS: - Traffic Calming Zone Sign - Crosswalk at East Fairwood Drive and at Indian Creek Way - Sidewalk at Sycamore Circle connecting down to Indian Creek Way 31

33 (Park Avenue heading from Bristol Road EXT towards West Fairwood Drive) (Park Avenue heading from West Fairwood Avenue towards Bristol Road EXT.) 32

34 Project Initiation: Once an area has been selected for a traffic calming project, and preliminarily approved by the Supervisors, the Traffic Calming Committee will contact neighborhood representatives and identify a committee of 4 to 6 neighborhood representatives who will assist in notifying other residents of the proposed project. All projects will be listed and available as public record and will be posted on the township website as well. At the neighborhood meetings: Staff will present the data and analysis for the traffic problems in the project area. This process may include slides of the streets to help illustrate the problems. Participants will be offered a toolbox of physical traffic calming measures or other solutions for the traffic problems on their streets. This toolbox will be in the form of a verbal presentation accompanied by slides, handouts and/or other visual media. Participants will be asked to provide descriptions of specific traffic issues within their neighborhood. Citizens will have a chance to voice their opinion on the issues that are their highest priorities and to express and objections to the recommended action. Staff will be available to answer any technical questions and provide guidance. A final group discussion to get consensus about differences in the plans will give Staff final guidance as to their recommendation to the Supervisors. The proposed solutions will be evaluated for their appropriateness for the project area, and adjustments will be made as necessary. The plan development should include an analysis of whether or not the proposed measures will negatively affect nearby residential streets. The conceptual plan and report by Staff will be reviewed by Police, Fire and Public Works Department personnel as well as representatives of other departments as needed. The Traffic Calming Committee will then prepare a final report and conceptual plan that incorporates any comments and modifications from these reviews. Final Report to Supervisors: Upon completion of the above, the Committee will present its final report along with the conceptual plan at a public meeting where residents are invited to participate. A map of the project areas and visual aids will be used to summarize the treatments being recommended. Approximate project costs and installation information will be presented as well. Meeting participants will be asked to provide comments and help refine the recommended design. Staff will refine the design as necessary to address the concerns and comments from this meeting, as may be directed by the Supervisors. 33

35 Design and Construction : Once the project is approved by the supervisors, and funded, the Public Works will complete the detailed design. The final plans will be reviewed by the Police, and Fire Marshals Office, for final comment. Final design adjustments may be made at this point. The traffic calming measures will then be constructed by public works crews or by a contractor, when appropriate. The design and construction phase may take up to 6 to 12 months, or longer in some cases. In the event that the traffic calming measures are very costly to install, or if the potential effectiveness of the measures is unknown, the Supervisors may elect to install temporary traffic calming measures to determine their effectiveness. Following below are examples of Traffic Calming Techniques used elsewhere: 4 Way Crosswalk Chicanes 34

36 Crosswalk Speed Bump Curb Extension/Bulb Outs Traffic Circle Pedestrian Median Islands Roundabouts 35

37 Raised Crosswalk Raised Intersection 36

38 Project Evaluation: Six months after the project is installed, the Committee, with the aid of the Police Department, will complete an evaluation of the effects of the project. Comments will be solicited from residents in the project area by the use of a formal survey or through press releases. Traffic speed and volume data will be collected and any change in traffic volumes and speeds on the treated streets will be documented. In addition, traffic diversion and impact on nearby residential local streets will be measured. If any unacceptable impacts are identified, corrective measures will be taken. In some cases, traffic calming measures might be removed. If temporary traffic calming measures were used initially, the township may then opt to install permanent measures. 37

39 Conclusion: The New Britain Traffic Calming Committee is of the opinion that despite our best efforts, and despite the posting of signs, warnings, or the knowledge that public safety is being threatened, some motorists will continue to violate the law, and to create a safety hazard due to careless driving, or speeding. The committee recognizes that the Police Department will likely never be able to guarantee a total adherence to traffic safety laws, as even that largest Police Departments in the nation have been unable to prevent traffic accidents and speeding incidents. We recognize that wherever the Police are on patrol at any given moment, there is another place in the township where a speeding motorist could be going undetected. Nothing herein should be considered as a direct, or indirect criticism of the Police Department, it efforts, or as being detrimental to its members. Traffic calming devices have been referred to as The Silent Policeman many times. It is the intention of this Committee to determine where these devices might be of assistance to our community, and to our Police Department, to mitigate or resolve traffic safety problems in our community. It is recognized that by the very nature of traffic calming devices, these efforts will most likely be focused in residential neighborhoods, near schools, near parks and near other places with high pedestrian traffic patterns. However, it is also recognized that if these devices and efforts are successful, the Police Officers will not be required to monitor these areas as frequently as they are today, thereby releasing them to patrol other problem areas of the township, including the more heavily traveled collector and arterial roadways. Again, it is the opinion of the Traffic Calming Committee that implementation, monitoring, adjusting, and maintaining the devices recommended in this report will aid not only those residents immediately adjacent to traffic safety zones, but all residents and taxpayers. It is recommended that this report be reviewed and updated annually. 38

40 Respectfully submitted, New Britain Township Traffic Safety Committee A. James Scanzillo Robert C Bender Cathy Kichline Leslie Bilotta Robert Scafidi Robert Burkhardt Angela Benner Wayne Fultz Craig Kennard, P.E. 39