trafficcalmingAt the June 18, 2014 Township Commissioner’s Meeting, Commissioner Higgins made a statement introducing a new Aston Township Traffic Calming Policy.

Aston Township Traffic Calming policy May 29, 2014
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INTRODUCTION

This Traffic Calming Policy reflects the commitment of AstonTownship to address a wide range of community goals and objectives, which include transportation mobility, efficiency and safety.  While our community strives to be more sustainable and livable, a comprehensive traffic calming program will help harmonize transportation mobility with other community values.

PURPOSE AND GOALS

AstonTownship’s Traffic Calming Policy is designed to address traffic concerns in residential areas of the Township, such as speeding or cut-through traffic.  The Township’s traffic calming program, working in cooperation with neighborhoods, promotes the preservation of the residential character of the Township’s neighborhoods and helps to improve the overall quality of life.

The Traffic Calming Program incorporates the following goals:

  • Create safe and attractive streets;
  • Reduce the negative effects of motor vehicles on the environment; and
  • Increase the quality of life in the Township.

Traffic calming goals should be developed with specific objectives planned on an area-wide basis. These traffic calming goals are achieved by including the following objectives:

  • Achieve safe, slow speeds for motor vehicles;
  • Reduce transient traffic;
  • Improve the safety and the perception of safety on the street;
  • Reduce and redirect the need for traffic police enforcement; and
  • Reduce crash frequency and severity.

The Township’s traffic calming goals and objectives are achieved by meeting minimum criteria in established principles and planning concepts to ensure proper implementation. The traffic calming principles are therefore achieved by adopting the following:

  • Traffic calming planning and development process must be community-based and supported;
  • Traffic calmed streets must incorporate a degree of self-enforcement of motor vehicle speeds through the design of physical features;
  • Traffic calming must directly affect driver behavior; and
  • Traffic calming must improve the safety of the street for all roadway users, including pedestrians and bicyclists.