Traffic FAQ

Speed limits are based on regulations established in Pennsylvania's Vehicle Code (Title 75). The current posted speed limits along roads within the Township, including both State- and Township-owned roads, are listed in the Township's Vehicles and Traffic Ordinance In order to modify the posted speed limit along a road or section thereof, a traffic engineering study must be completed to justify a speed limit other than the current posted speed limit. If a new speed limit is justified by the engineering study, the new speed limit must be approved by either the Township or PennDOT, depending on the ownership of the road. Additional information about establishing speed limits is provided.

• Engineering and Traffic Studies and Safe Running Speed (PDF)

Truck restrictions are based on regulations established in Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code (Title 75). The current truck restrictions along Township-owned roads are listed in the Township’s Vehicles and Traffic Ordinance. In order to modify or establish a new truck restriction along a road or section thereof, a traffic engineering study should be conducted to justify the restriction. Please note truck restrictions are based on vehicle dimensions (such as width, length, height, or weight). Additional information about establishing truck restrictions is provided.

• Truck Restrictions: Act 31 of 2018 Updates (PDF)

The warrants for stop signs are established by the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and PennDOT's Publication 212, Official Traffic Control Devices). A list of current stop-sign-controlled intersections involving Township-owned roads is listed in the Township's Vehicles and Traffic Ordinance (located here: Traffic Ordinance. In order to provide additional stop signs at an existing intersection, a traffic engineering study must be completed, and the Township must approve an ordinance establishing the new stop sign. Please note that MUTCD states that stop signs should not be used for speed control. Many people believe that forcing motorists to stop at each intersection will decrease overall speed on the road. However, studies show that stop signs only reduce speed immediately adjacent to the sign. Many drivers accelerate between intersections to make up for time lost at the stop sign. Engineering studies show that inappropriate installation of extra stop signs may cause additional problems, such as more rear-end collisions, a redistribution of traffic onto side streets, wasted fuel, and drivers ignoring STOP signs. Additional information about effective stop sign placement is provided.

• Effective Stop Sign Placement (PDF)

Speed humps can be an effective solution to reduce speeds along residential streets; however, if not installed appropriately or when truly needed, they can become a nuisance. Also, there are other factors that must be considered, including cost, maintenance, emergency response access, snow removal, roadway drainage, noise in the immediate vicinity of the speed hump, and speeding between speed humps. In order to consider the installation of speed humps or other traffic calming measures, the subject community and the Township will follow a detailed evaluation process as outlined in PennDOT's Publication 383, Pennsylvania's Traffic Calming Handbook. This process requires a formal request from a neighborhood group, documentation of the traffic calming issue, and a public review process whereby all neighbors impacted by the speed humps are able to participate. If speed humps or other traffic calming solutions are determined to be an appropriate solution, the Board of Supervisors must approve the installation of traffic calming, with consideration of all influencing factors, including but not limited to cost and Township budget.

• Pennsylvania’s Traffic Calming Handbook (PDF)