CAI-NJ March 2021

SLOW DOWN!

W e have all seen vehicles traveling at exces- sive speeds along the roadways of private communities. Often, residents, pets and par- ticularly children are put at risk by this behavior. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, pedestrian deaths from vehicle impacts in the United States have risen 35% from 2008 to 2017, and another 4% from 2017 to 2018. While most of these fatalities occur on state, county or municipal/city roadways, some do and can occur on smaller private roadways. Most certainly pedestrian/pet injuries are possible from speeding vehicles. While driving, it is not uncommon to see a child or pet run out onto a roadway after a ball. Excessive speeding poses a significant risk for such an occurrence. Vehicles parking along the roadways makes this scenario even more dangerous. Installing speed calming devices in your community is something to consider in reducing this concern. Measures that can be taken include adding roadway striping, sig- By Andrew Amorosi, PE, RS, The Falcon Group – Engineering, Architecture & Reserve Specialists Protecting Your Community from SPEEDING VEHICLES

nage, speed humps/bumps, stop bars and mechanical speed signs that illuminate vehicles’ speed (speed readers). Speed readers have been shown to be a very effective way to slow vehicles driving at high speeds (see photo above). Several site conditions should be evaluated for the type and/or location of proposed speed calming methods or devices. The following factors are essential to consider at each community location where there is a speed concern. 1) Driving patterns: Observe the typical driving pat- terns of residents and visitors. You may witness where excessive speeds are being used by vehicles and where driver or pedestrian reaction time to a speeding vehicle may be diminished due to lack of sight distance. 2) Geometric and safety: Slowing down vehicles before their emergence from a blind spot or curve in a roadway is vital to increase reaction time for opposing drivers and pedestrians. It is also important to consider

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