Speeding vehicles in residential areas is a concern for everyone. It increases the likelihood of accidents involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and children playing.
To combat the issue, the Borough of Chambersburg has implemented a traffic calming policy.
How is traffic calming different from other methods of traffic control?
When most people think of traffic control, methods such as stop signs or lowered speed limits come to mind. However, these are regulatory measures that require legal enforcement. Instead, traffic calming is self-regulation of speed based on perceived driving conditions and physical road designs.
PennDOT-approved traffic calming measures for the Borough include:
- Extended curbs
- On-street parking
- Traffic circles
- Raised intersections
- Raised crosswalks
- Speed cushions
- Centerline and edge line striping
- Enhanced crosswalks
Residents, property owners, or business owners can submit an application for a traffic calming measure, along with the signatures of 50% of the people in the neighborhood, to the Highway Department secretary. The Mayor, Town Council, and the Parking, Traffic and Street Light Committee will review the application. The residents, property and business owners will be notified of the public meeting to discuss the request.
If the request is approved, it will move on to the Engineering Department for an assessment based on volume, speed, crashes, school crossings, public areas that generate pedestrian traffic and sidewalks.
The Engineering Department will make recommendations on traffic calming measures to the Parking, Traffic and Street Light Committee, who in turn present it to the Mayor and Town Council. The affected neighborhood’s residents, property owners and business owners will be notified of the hearing.
It’s important to note that the Town Council may levy a one-time assessment to cover the cost of the traffic calming measure.