Addressing Speeding in the Condo Complex

Started by DonaldN • 10 replies • 419 views

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DonaldN (Connecticut)
Posts: 183

Posted:

We are 68 town home units with 3 streets - speed limit signs haven't been effective and the PM together with the BOD are proposing speed bumps , 2 per street at a cost of 7K - we unit owners feel that there are only a few culprits but it's hard to know just how many since we don't have round the clock surveillance - another thought instead of the bumps is to solicit information from anonymous snitches but that brings with it another whole bunch of issues .

Just wondering how others have tackled this problem, if at all, within your communities.

BillH10 (Texas)
Posts: 1,217

Posted:

Before speaking with anyone else, please consult with your local municipal authorities to determine if speed bumps are even allowed.

In many communities the fire department or other municipal agencies object as the bumps present difficulties for their equipment.

Perhaps a conversation with the local community services police officer would be helpful.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Before spending that amount of money (and I think it's excessive), there are temporary speed bumps that can be purchased.

You will get push back from the membership.
It will slow down emergency responses (but not a whole lot that one would worry - but expect the argument).
It will cause more wear and tear on vehicle shocks/struts.

Speed bumps = 5 mph max
Speed humps = 15 mph max
rumble strips = 5 to 10 mph

The best traffic calming I saw was part of the street becoming cobble stone. It looked nice and slowed down traffic at the intersection.

NOTE: Most of the time speed bumps/humps/rumble strips only slow traffic down where they are placed. Once people go over them, the speed back up - sometimes faster then before (because they were slowed down).

Info:

Traffic Calming Measures from The Institute of Transportation Engineers

Rubber Speed Bumps, Humps and Portable Speed Bumps from a supplier

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

More Info:

Are Speed Humps Effective? Understand how configuration and installation affect performance article/blog

TRAFFIC-CALMING TRENDS: Antiquated, Knee-Jerk Response to Speeding Drivers Now Being Rejected Around the World from a signage company

Are speed bumps causing more harm than good? May 2022 newspaper article

Pros and Cons of Asphalt Speed Bumps from an asphalt company

Do Speed Humps Help Reduce Vehicular Speeds, Volumes, and Motorist Accidents? a 2015 Masters degree thesis paper

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

I know that my current HOA suggested it and it was turned down.

Reasons:

1) An elderly person said it affected their joint health and they would have to sell and move
2) It would only slow speed where they were placed
3) Not in my backyard - place them where it won't affect me.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Our city does not do speed bumps anymore. They instead install traffic "islands". Basically they have islands that split the roads to one lane on each side. The middle is to have nice landscaping. It is supposed to slow people down when they have to split off with curbs on both sides.

So far I've seen one mail truck going too fast that hit the curb and went airborne! It landed busting tires and steering system. There are neighbors who think it's okay to PARK on top of it. (We have no parking on the street). Also those houses whom it lines up behind have little space to back up out of driveway. We have a couple who are so rude about it they have their company or themselves park in one lane of it completely blocking one lane. You say something and they get mad. It's not like their driveway isn't empty...

You need to know your local laws about speeds of your streets. Post signs if need be. Have the police do patrols to catch speeders. It should NOT be a HOA responsibility. The HOA members are NOT law enforcement.

Former HOA President

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Melissa,

From the description of the complex (town homes) I expect the streets the OP is discussing are private, owned and maintained by the Association.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

One more comment since your in an area that will require snow removal.

Check with your snow removal contractor on how speed bumps will affect there results.

JamesB37 (California)
Posts: 351

Posted:

Is speeding a 'perceived' problem or a factual problem? "those cars are going 50mph through here and someone is going to get killed!"

Have a traffic engineering survey done to confirm you actually have a problem and where. Then let the experts make recommendations and go from there.

Around here, they obtain actual speeds by temporarily installing two rubber hoses across the road (in several different locations) that calculates the speed of traffic

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Speed is subjective. Plus to properly be able to enforce you would need access or ownership to a legally calibrated speed gun/monitor. It's not like you can take your kid's softball pitch speed gun and enforce the law. The speed has to be posted. The speed gun calibrated. Someone willing to go to court to represent the HOA to enforce the ticket. It's best to leave it to the professionals. Ask local police to set up a speed/traffic check.

An example: One day I am driving my little 4 cylinder Saturn car. NOT a "race" car. I stopped and turned onto another road. Had only driven about 1000 feet. A guy comes out from the side of the road and BANGS on my hood! He SCREAMS into my window "Slow down"!!! Looking up I see his wife and kids walking ahead a few feet in front of him. No sidewalk but they are on the edge of the road on the right. Having room to get into a yard. I am NOT even driving fast enough for my doors to auto lock! Which is around 15 mph the speed limit is 25 MPH.

Mind you him and his family are basically in the road. He had time to bang on my hood and yell at me. How I was "speeding" was beyond me. So using your standing still position to judge a moving object doesn't work.

I would not go with the speed humps. They cause issues with emergency vehicles. It requires a certain amount of traffic levels. Anyone speeding does it at their own risk of injury or being sued. The HOA doesn't need to be involved outside of calling the professionals.

Former HOA President

DonaldN (Connecticut)
Posts: 183

Posted:

Thanks everyone for your thoughts - we sent out a survey and only 25 out of the 68 units replied and of those only 15 thought there was a problem - right now only a couple of people are habitual offenfers and my wife and I voted to allocate the money to something more important than speed bumps - thanks all again !!

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