What is LTAP? Traffic Calming Articles

What is LTAP & What do they do?

The PennDOT Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) is one of 52 LTAP centers across the nation (one in each state, Puerto Rico and one regional center serving Tribal communities). These centers are dedicated to transferring transportation technology through training, technical assistance, and other customer services to municipal elected officials and their staff. The LTAP program is designed to help Pennsylvania’s municipalities, which maintain over 78,000 miles of roadways, make the best use of their roadway maintenance dollars. PennDOT LTAP provides technical information and proven technologies dealing with roadway maintenance and safety methods to meet the growing demands on municipal governments. PennDOT LTAP has provided technology transfer services to Pennsylvania’s 2600 municipal governments since 1983.

On average, the PennDOT LTAP training and technology transfer programs train and assist nearly 6,000 municipal employees per year in effective and efficient maintenance procedures, essential safety practices, and infrastructure management processes. Historically, PennDOT LTAP has augmented this training with nearly 200 one-on-one technical assistance sessions and the dissemination of approximately 50,000 pieces of information highlighting practical technological advances.

Gypsy Hill Road & LTAP Traffic Calming Memo - July of 2021

Residents of Franklin Township reached out to Franklin Township Board of Supervisors & Staff with concerns they had about this road.  Please read Mark Hood, P.E. of LTAP's memo to Franklin Township by clicking here.

PENNDOT'S Traffic Calming Handbook - Publication 383

Due to the use of traffic calming as traffic management tool for many municipalities in the State of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has created the “Traffic Calming Handbook” (Publication 383) to provide new and additional information on traffic calming and how it can be used on the roadways of Pennsylvania. This Handbook contains information on various traffic calming issues such as legal authority, liability, funding, impacts on emergency services, as well as many others that were in the original publication. Information in this handbook has been incorporated on the basis of a survey that was conducted of municipalities in the State of Pennsylvania on common devices and practices used. New devices used in the state and nationally have also been added to this publication. Finally, additional case studies on the expected effects of specific traffic calming measures are provided.

If you would like to read this handbook, please click here.

Traffic Calming Subjects

What are Speed Cushions?

Speed cushions are either speed humps or speed tables that include wheel cutouts to allow large vehicles to pass unaffected, while reducing passenger car speeds. They can be offset to allow unimpeded passage by emergency vehicles and are typically used on key emergency response routes.

Speed cushions extend across one direction of travel from the centerline, with longitudinal gap provided to allow wide wheelbase vehicles to avoid going over the hump.

To learn more, please click here:  Speed Cushion | National Association of City Transportation Officials (nacto.org)

Speed Cushion Drawing

Speed Cushion Photo

Speed Cushion Videos

Traffic Logix Rubber Speed Cushions – YouTube

Traffic Logix Speed Cushion Demonstration – YouTube

What are Speed Humps?

Speed humps are parabolic vertical traffic calming devices intended to slow traffic speeds on low volume, low speed roads. Speed humps are 3–4 inches high and 12–14 feet wide, with a ramp length of 3–6 feet, depending on target speed.

Speed humps reduce speeds to 15–20 mph and are often referred to as “bumps” on signage and by the general public. 

To learn more, please click here: Speed Hump | National Association of City Transportation Officials (nacto.org)

Speed Hump Drawing

 

Speed Hump Photo

Speed Hump Video

Traffic Logix Speed Humps - YouTube

What are Speed Tables?

Speed tables are midblock traffic calming devices that raise the entire wheelbase of a vehicle to reduce its traffic speed. Speed tables are longer than speed humps and flat-topped, with a height of 3–3.5 inches and a length of 22 feet. Vehicle operating speeds for streets with speed tables range from 25–45 mph, depending on the spacing.

Speed tables may be used on collector streets and/or transit and emergency response routes. Where applied, speed tables may be designed as raised midblock crossings, often in conjunction with curb extensions. 

To learn more, please click here:  Speed Table | National Association of City Transportation Officials (nacto.org)

Speed Table Drawing / Photo

Speed Table Video

Traffic Logix Speed Tables - YouTube

Traffic Calming Experiment Video – Showing Various Vehicles

Northampton Traffic Calming Experiment - YouTube

For more information on Speed Cushions, Speed Bumps and Speed Tables, please click here.

Township Roads

Franklin Township Roads map

Our Township has many State roads and private roads within its borders. This map shows the roads maintained by Franklin Township. If there is a problem with any of these roads, call the office at (610) 255-5212. The Township is also responsible for most of the roads located within completed subdivisions.  For a list of infrastructure projects, please see our Capital Infrastructure Page.

PennDOT Roads in the Township

Many of the heavily traveled roadways that run through Franklin Township are maintained and governed by PennDOT, and not the responsibility nor within the jurisdiction of the Township. Listed below are the PennDOT roads located in the Township. If there is a problem with any of these roads, call PennDOT directly at their 24 Hour Chester County Maintenance facility: (484) 340-3201

Franklin Township does not pave, repair, salt, plow, or set the speed limit for any of these roads. After you call PennDOT, if you would like to notify the Township of your concerns or issues, please call or email us. But always make PennDOT your first call regarding:

  • Appleton Road
  • Clay Creek Road
  • Chesterville Road
  • Good Hope Road
  • New London Road (Route 896)
  • North Bank Road
  • North Creek Road
  • Pennock Bridge Road
  • Strickersville Road
  • Wickerton Road (Route 841)​