Commonly Requested Methods to Control Speed
Speed bumps (also known as speed humps or pavement undulations) are often requested because they are perceived as a quick and effective solution to speeding. They are intended to be uncomfortable to drive over if they are crossed over at higher speeds. However, speed bumps may present a potential hazard to all vehicles and an immediate danger to motorcyclists and emergency vehicles. Emergency vehicle response time is slowed about 10 seconds for each speed bump, which can be significant when responding to fires or medical emergencies. Speed bumps increase noise levels 10 to 20 decibels when wheels hit the bump. This increase in noise can be bothersome in quiet residential neighborhoods. In the winter--they also hamper slow and ice removal efforts. For these reasons, the Town of Foxborough generally does not install speed bumps on
public streets.
Stop signs are not successful in slowing traffic except near the stop sign. Drivers try to make up for the delay by speeding up between stop-controlled intersections. This quick acceleration increases noise and air pollution near the signs. Stop signs are only appropriate for establishing right-of-way. The Town of Foxborough installs stop signs at an intersection only after a careful engineering evaluation of the existing conditions demonstrates the installation is appropriate.
"Slow Children at Play" signs are often requested on residential streets. These signs tend to create a false sense of security for parents and children who believe the signs provide an added degree of protection from motorists. If signs encourage parents with children to believe they have an added degree of protection, which the signs do not and cannot provide, a great disservice results. Children should not be encouraged to play within the roadway. Although these signs used to be common on public streets, they are no longer approved by the Federal Highway Administration as official traffic control devices. For these reasons, the Town of Foxborough generally no longer installs these signs.
Lowering of the speed limit is often requested by citizens in an effort to slow traffic. Before and after studies have shown that there is no significant change in prevailing speeds when the speed limit is changed. Drivers will continue to travel at speeds they feel are safe and prudent despite the posted limit. The posting of the appropriate speed limit simplifies the job of law enforcement officers, since most of the traffic is voluntarily moving at the posted speed. Blatant speeders are easily spotted, safe drivers are not penalized, and patrol officers aren't asked to enforce unrealistic and arbitrary speed limits.
Unrealistic speed limits can also present a safety hazard. Some drivers will obey the lower posted speed limit while others will feel it’s unreasonable and simply ignore it. This disrupts the uniform traffic flow and increases crash potential between the faster and the slower traffic. Traffic flowing at a uniform speed results in increased safety and fewer accidents. Drivers are less impatient, pass less often, and tailgate less, which reduces both head-on and rear-end collisions.
Posting Reasonable and Proper Speed Limits
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts set requirements and procedures for setting speed limits. Engineering and traffic surveys are conducted which includes an analysis of roadway conditions, accident records, and a sampling of the prevailing speed of traffic. The speed limit is normally set near the speed at which 85% of the surveyed vehicles do not exceed. The speed limit can be reduced if there is a history of speed-related accidents or roadway conditions not readily apparent to motorists. Setting speed limits in this manner allows the police to enforce using radar. Radar is by far the most efficient method of speed enforcement.
State law establishes certain prima facie speed limits. They include the 30 MPH speed limit in business and residence districts and 20 MPH in school zones when children are present. These speed limits do not need to be posted to be enforced.
- All posted regulatory speed limit signs must be based on a thorough traffic engineering study. If the speed limit is posted without this procedure—it is considered illegal and unenforceable.
- The purpose of the study is to establish a speed limit that is safe—reasonable—and self-enforcing.
- The most important step is measuring the prevailing speeds of motorists on a particular section of roadway under ideal conditions. The speed at or below which 85 percent of the motorists travel is the principle value used for establishing speed limits. This is commonly referred to as the 85th percentile speed. This method is based on numerous studies, which indicate that the majority of motorists are prudent and capable of selecting safe speeds. The 85th percentile speed is the national standard for establishing safe speed limits.
What Unrealistic Speed Limits Do
Unrealistic speed limits are of public importance for the following reasons:
- They do not invite voluntary compliance—since they do not reflect the behavior of the majority.
- They create no respect and are ignored.
- They misallocate valuable resources—apprehending and prosecuting motorists driving at safe speeds.
- They make the behavior of the majority unlawful.
- They maximize public antagonism toward the police, since the police are enforcing a “speed trap.”
- They create a bad image of the community in the eyes of our tourists.
What Realistic Speed Limits Do
Realistic speed limits are of public importance for a variety of reasons:
- They invite public compliance by conforming to the prudent behavior of the majority.
- They give a clear reminder of reasonable and prudent speeds to non-conforming violators.
- They offer an effective enforcement tool to the police.
- They tend to minimize the public antagonism toward the police enforcement—which results from obviously unreasonable regulations.
- They separate the occasional high-risk driver from the majority of the drivers.
Plan of Action
The Town of Foxborough can implement a Traffic Education, Engineering, and Enforcement program to respond to neighborhood traffic concerns. This program employs a traffic management team comprised of Police, Engineering, and Highway Department experts who emphasize education, engineering, and enforcement to improve traffic safety.
Education
- Use speed trailer* and other educational devices such as neighborhood newsletters to increase awareness.
- Engineering and Police staff attends neighborhood meetings to inform residents regarding policies and procedures, to answer questions, and explain what residents can do to reduce speeds in their neighborhood.
Engineering
- Collect and evaluate speed data to identify a safe and reasonable posted speed limit based on a comprehensive engineering study.
- Review existing traffic control devices (signing and striping) and implement changes as necessary.
Enforcement
- Provide selective enforcement when officers are available. Due to limited resources—there are no officers assigned for this duty on a full-time basis.
- Increase police presence in the neighborhood.
*A speed trailer is a device used by the Police Department to supplement radar enforcement. The display board shows the posted speed limit and the speed of the vehicle approaching the trailer. Drivers become aware of the speed they are traveling, and many slow down. The trailer can be used on most streets that are wide enough to park the trailer out of the way of traffic. Due to financial constraints—the Foxborough Police Department has only one speed trailer and it is deployed as needed by date of request.
It is helpful if you make note of the time of day during which speeding occurs. The Police Department has a list of many locations in need of their services. You can make our job easier and more effective by letting us know ahead of time when we should target enforcement efforts.
Neighborhood Involvement
In most cases, the majority of speeders on residential streets are residents in the neighborhood. Therefore, one of the most effective ways to reduce speeding on residential streets is through neighborhood involvement. Circulating neighborhood newsletters or posting speed awareness signs are the best methods of spreading awareness. One example of this community action is the Stay Alive Drive 25 efforts being made by a group of parents here in Foxboro.
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