Guidelines for the Installation of Speed Humps

TOWN OF YORKTOWN HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT/ TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS

The Town of Yorktown will consider requests for installation of speed humps through the Highway Dept and Traffic Safety Committee. We ask that residents understand that speed humps are not suitable on certain roads, nor appropriate in certain situations and there are many factors which will be considered.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli at 914-962-5781 or [email protected]
Officer Rob Rohr [email protected]

Background

What are speed humps?

Speed humps are asphalt mounds placed on roadways for the purpose of slowing traffic.

Speed humps are different than speed bumps, which are commonly seen in parking lots or on private roads. They are longer and easier to traverse than speed bumps.

Why are speed humps desirable?

• Speed humps can help control speeding on local neighborhood roads.
• They may help discourage cut-through traffic by diverting it elsewhere.
• They are relatively easy for Bicycles to cross when designed appropriately.

Are there any drawbacks to speed  humps?

Yes, some of the disadvantages include:

• Residents living near speed humps must tolerate increased noise levels as vehicles traverse speed humps day and night.
• They cause a rough ride for all drivers.
• Emergency service response time suffers. Large vehicles, such as emergency vehicles and those with rigid suspensions, are forced to travel at slower speeds.
• Traffic may be diverted to previously quiet parallel streets in the neighborhood.
• Motorized street sweeping equipment is much less effective at speed hump locations.
• Speed humps can interfere with street repaving, decreasing the effectiveness of both the speed hump and the new pavement surface.
• Speed humps can block the flow of drainage water and may cause flooding issues.
• Speed humps require signage and striping, which may be considered unattractive.
• Speed humps increase air pollution due to necessary deceleration and acceleration
• Once installed speed humps will not be removed.
• They have questionable aesthetics.

REQUESTING A SPEED HUMP

Where can speed humps be installed?

Speed humps are permitted on local streets in residential areas where the speed limit is 30mph or less.

However, speed humps are not permitted:

• On streets where drainage water flows down the center of the road.
• On streets regularly used by buses, trucks or emergency vehicles.
• On or near steep grades (greater than 5%) or on sharp curves.
• Where sight distance is limited.
• Closer than 500 feet apart.
• On collector or arterial streets.
• In any locations where sight distance is an issue. Humps must be visible from a distance of at least 250 feet.

Speed Hump Request Process

Contact the Highway Dept to first determine whether the street is eligible for a speed hump.

If the Highway Dept./Traffic Safety Committee determines the street is eligible for a speed hump, complete the Yorktown Speed Hump Study Request form which is included below.

Submit the request form below with signatures from at least 10 residents on the street showing support for the installation of a speed hump. Signatures should include every resident whose home is within 100 feet of a proposed speed hump.

If it is determined that the Speed Hump Request Form is sufficient, the Committee will perform a traffic study to determine the average speed of vehicles using the street. The committee, in its discretion may arrange for the Traffic Study earlier in the process.

Should the committee determine that the street is a candidate for speed humps, residents and committee work together to determine appropriate locations for speed humps. The Committee prepares a petition form showing the proposed locations.

The Committee provides residents with the proposed affected area for purposes of secondary petition. Said petition would be conveyed to residents in the affected area.

The committee will require support from at least 70% of residents in the area.

The Committee will consider each application on a case by case basis and on its own merits evaluating the unique characteristics of the street, the results of the traffic study and the degree of resident support (and lack of opposition by residents affected), among other factors.