[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners
of the Township of Haverford 10-11-2005 by Ord. No. 2451. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish
guidelines for the installation of traffic calming systems on Township-owned
roadways. Such systems are specifically designed to reduce the speed,
but not necessarily the volume of motor vehicle traffic in residential
areas, nor is their purpose to move traffic to adjoining roadways.
Traffic calming measures shall also consist of enforcement and education
activities by the Police Department.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Shall be synonymous with "traffic calming system" or "traffic
calming measure." A speed hump is a raised hump in the pavement extending
across the width of the roadway at a right angle to the direction
of the flow of traffic.
A.
Applicants may request that a study be conducted to
construct speed humps in a particular neighborhood. Requests shall
be submitted in writing, along with a petition described below, to
the Traffic Calming Committee ("Committee") consisting of the Police
Chief, Township Engineer, and Safety Director for consideration at
their next scheduled meeting.
B.
Petition:
(1)
All households on the affected street must be contacted
by the applicants and advised that speed humps are being considered
for their street.
(2)
A signed petition must be submitted reflecting the
support of at least 80% of the households (determined by street address)
on the affected street.
(3)
Support is also required from 60% of the residents
of households located on streets or culs-de-sac whose only access
is via the affected street.
(4)
Only one adult signature per household, apartment
or business will be considered on the petition.
[Amended 6-12-2012 by Ord. No. 2664]
The following criteria have been established
as a means to limit the use of speed humps to areas where they will
be most effective and practical:
A.
Speed humps will not be installed on state roadways.
B.
The legally posted speed limit on the street shall not exceed 25
miles per hour (mph).
C.
The minimum length of the street, or portion thereof, measured from
the nearest intersecting street, shall be at least 1,000 feet.
D.
The average daily traffic (ADT) shall exceed either 1,000 vehicles
per day or the peak hour volume of at least 100 vehicles, which shall
be determined by a seven-day automated traffic count conducted by
the Department's Traffic Safety Unit. Manual counts may be instituted
at the Department's discretion.
E.
The average vehicle speed (based upon the 85th percentile of the
speeds recorded during the traffic count) shall not be less than five
mph over the legally posted speed limit, which shall be determined
by a seven-day automated traffic count.
F.
The Department will analyze the number of accidents on the affected
roadway over the most recent three-year period to ascertain the extent
to which excessive or unsafe speeds were a major contributing factor.
G.
The distance between speed humps shall not be less than 250 or greater
than 600 feet apart; provided, however, that should an intersection
controlled by a stop sign or yield sign be located on the affected
roadway, the distance between humps may exceed 600 feet. The existing
stop sign or yield sign may be reevaluated to see if it continues
to meet the warrants of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania after the
installation of humps.
H.
Speed humps shall not be less than 150 feet from an intersecting
roadway or within 250 feet of a signalized intersection.
I.
Speed humps shall not be installed on hills or curves that could
affect the safe control of vehicles.
J.
Speed humps shall traverse the entire roadway, allowing one foot
on each side for the flow of stormwater.
K.
Speed humps shall be no less than 12 feet in width.
L.
Signs indicating HUMP shall be erected in each direction at the location
of the hump and a sufficient distance before the hump to warn approaching
motorists. For increased visibility, reflective stripes shall be painted
on the humps.
M.
Speed humps shall be set back a minimum distance of five feet from
a driveway to permit accessibility to the drive.
N.
Other traffic calming measures:
(1)
Notwithstanding whether or not a petition has been submitted under § 169-4B, nothing herein shall limit the Township's right to unilaterally consider and install any traffic calming measures whatsoever, including but not limited to speed humps, bulb outs, chicanes, raised crosswalks, etc., as it may deem necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of a specific neighborhood or the public in general.
(2)
This section shall apply to any street within the Township, especially
streets where the Township determines there is a high concentration
of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, such as those near schools, parks
and recreation areas, churches, and business districts.
(3)
The Township shall notify the residents and businesses on any streets
for which such traffic calming measures are being considered to permit
their input before such measures are approved and installed.
A.
All decisions regarding whether or not to recommend
the installation of speed humps shall be made by the Committee in
accordance with the criteria contained herein.
B.
All Committee recommendations to install speed humps
in the petitioned area shall be subject to final approval of the Board
of Commissioners.
