Speeding and unsafe driving practices on residential streets have become increasing concern to County residents and to the government agencies charged with ensuring traffic safety. Excessive speeds jeopardize both the safety and "liveability" of our neighborhoods. The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) and the Department of Police have cooperatively implemented a comprehensive residential speed control program which enlists community residents in helping to solve the speeding problem and improve the residential environment. The program includes the three components necessary to successfully reduce speeding: education, engineering and enforcement.

DPWT and the police provide traffic safety services for over 1600 miles of residential streets. In order to provide the most effective service for these streets given resources, we have developed a triage system for addressing excessive speed on residential streets:
 

LOW VOLUME - LOCAL TRAFFIC STREETS
For local residential streets that are not "thru" or collector routes and/or where volumes are low (less than 1,000 cars per day), an education strategy is recommended. These streets would have a low priority for enhanced police enforcement and would generally not be eligible for installation of physical speed restraint devices.

Residents are encouraged to participate in Community Speed Watch, a public education program in which residents are loaned a radar gun and large digital speed display unit. The purpose of the program is to increase motorist speed awareness and, through peer pressure, encourage speeds in closer conformance with the speed limit.
 
 

MODERATE VOLUME COLLECTOR STREETS
For residential streets that serve as "thru" or collector routes for the neighborhood and/or where volumes are moderate (1,000 to 4,000 vehicles per day), an education and engineering strategy will be applied. Where specific safety problems are identified by DPWT or the police, enforcement may be enhanced.

Residents are encouraged to participate in Speed Watch. Additionally, at locations of special concern such as school zones or pedestrian crossings, DPWT may deploy a Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer (SMART), a portable, self-operating radar and speed display unit that can be used to promote speed awareness.

DPWT will conduct a speed study to determine if speed and volume criteria are satisfied. If excessive speeds are verified, DPWT will work with the neighborhood to develop a traffic calming plan. The plan could include speed humps, small traffic circles, or other traffic control devices. Resident concurrence and citizen association endorsement will be required prior to implementation of a plan.

HIGHER VOLUME COLLECTOR STREETS
On higher volume (more than 4000 cars per day) residential streets, a combination of education, engineering and enforcement strategies will be used to reduce speeding.

Residents may participate in the Speed Watch program and DPWT will schedule periodic deployment of the SMART trailer. DPWT will conduct speed studies and an engineering evaluation to determine whether traffic calming devices or other traffic safety measures are justified. Resident and citizen association input will be used to develop a plan.

Enforcement will be enhanced in coordination with the above actions and where specific safety problems are identified.

On residential streets classified as arterials in the Master Plan, traffic calming measures will not be installed which are inconsistent with the efficient movement of traffic or which interfere with the movement of emergency vehicles. Thus, speed humps will not be installed on arterial streets.

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