Traffic Category

Category: Traffic

Left Turn Sign Needed at Intersection of Newtown-Yardley Road and Route 332

Posted on 23 Jun 2022, 13:10 - Category: Traffic

Pennsylvania's Transportation Survey

The following is an email message sent to the Newtown Township Supervisors and several other elected officials from Fred Kachuk, a concerned Newtown Twp resident.

Hello neighbors,

Warmer weather and sunshine are finally here! Please consider taking the PENNDOT Transportation Survey before Wednesday, April 14.

This is an opportunity to comment about those daily annoyances that you would like to have fixed. I’ve submitted several comments online, and below are two which may also interest you.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Mr. Kachuk's Comments

Sound Barriers

532N Newtown Bypass

Several years ago the Bypass was upgraded and expanded; an additional northbound lane was added to accommodate the large increase in traffic flow. The traffic noise here is above safe limits for the residents of Newtown Place and Chandler Hall, many which live within 100ft. of the Bypass. I’ve also contacted the Newtown Police Dept.(never responded) regarding the constant clatter from truck ‘brake-retarders’. We need sound barriers. In 2015 State Senator McIlhinney and State Representative Santarsiero submitted this request to acting PENNDOT Acting Secretary Richards. I’m not aware of any further progress on this matter, and would appreciate an update.

Pedestrian Crossings

RT 532N and Swamp Rd. between Woodbourne Rd. & Bucks County Community College

We need additional pedestrian crossings on the Newtown Bypass. At present there is only one publicly accessible crossing at the intersection of Summit Trace Rd. There is also a privately owned pedestrian bridge crossing near the intersection of North State St., but this is owned by the George School and they do not allow public access.

Several thousand people live within a few hundred feet of this 3.5 mile corridor along with many very busy public and private properties, including:

Helen Randle Park
Bucks County Community College
Tyler Park
Village At Newtown Shopping Center
Council Rock North High School
St Andrew Catholic Church
Newtown Middle School
Shir Ami
Newtown | YMCA of Bucks County
Chandler Hall Health Services
Newtown Reformed Church
The George School
Summit Square Shopping Center
Newtown Athletic Club

"I expect PENNDOT to look closely at options for improving this situation," said Mr. Kachuk. "In addition to new signaling, crosswalks or bridges, I would suggest contacting the George School. It might be possible to reach an agreement with them to allow public access to their pedestrian bridge*, or allow PENNDOT to add public entrance ramps to the bridge."

*My comment: Now that Arcadia will be building 70 homes at the intersection of Buck Road and the Bypass (read Newtown Township Supervisors Approved a Settlement Agreement with Arcadia), it may be a good idea to add a pedestrian bridge at that location. Just sayin'.

Posted on 30 Mar 2021, 11:08 - Category: Traffic

PennDOT to Lower Speed Limit on Section of Swamp Road

In a May 2, 2019, letter, Ashwin Patel, Senior Manager of PennDOT's Traffic Engineering and Safety Division, notified Newtown Township that PennDOT will be lowering the speed limit on Swamp Road between the Twining Bridge intersection and the intersection of Pennswood Dr. (entrance to Knob Hill) to 40 MPH from 45 MPH (see map below).

Recall that at the September 12, 2018, BOS public meeting representatives of PennDOT District 6 answered questions and concerns about Swamp Road from Newtown residents and Supervisors. At that meeting PennDOT Mr. Patel answered questions about lowering the speed limit on sections of Swamp Road (see video below).

85% of vehicles approaching the intersection were already traveling at 39 MPH.

PennDOT, however, determined that an all-way stop is not warranted at the intersection, noting that several improvements were made to signage, curvature of the road, and the overall visibility of the intersection last year at the request of the Township.

To implement an all-way stop control, appropriate engineering parameters are evaluated which included an analysis of "reportable" crash reports (specifically angle crashes) occurring at the intersection , an on-site review where roadway alignments and sight distances are observed, and traffic volumes. Based on all engineering parameters reviewed , the Department cannot justify the installation of STOP signs on Swamp Road.

Posted on 06 May 2019, 01:15 - Category: Traffic

$1.6 Million Available for Traffic Improvements BUT It Can't Be Spent!

Whenever new residential or business developments are proposed for Newtown, the impact on traffic is a major concern of residents (read, for example, “Newtown Board of Supervisors Shoots Down Drive-thru Starbucks” and “Super Wawa Survey Comments” and “Arcadia Green Development Hearings”).

In order to mitigate these concerns, the township collects traffic impact fees from developers to make capital improvements to accommodate traffic generated by new development. Eligible improvements include adjustments to existing traffic signals, new traffic signals, auxiliary turn lanes, etc.

Currently, Newtown has accumulated approximately $1.6 million in traffic impact fees but is unable to use those funds because it lacks an updated capital improvements plan, which is necessary for the use of those funds.

Traffic Impact Fee Advisory Committee (TIFAC) Needed

During the 2019 Budget presentation before the Board of Supervisors (BOS) on October 15, 2018, former Newtown Township Manager Kurt Ferguson brought this issue to the forefront. He discussed the urgent need to form a Traffic Impact Fee Advisory Committee (TIFAC Definition) in order to utilize the $1.6 million already collected from developers (see the video below).

As Mr. Ferguson mentioned, in order to utilize these funds, a transportation capital improvements plan must be prepared and adopted by the Board of Supervisors (BOS Definition) to the enactment a necessary amendment to the impact fee ordinance. According to the procedures, provisions and standards set forth in Act 209, which allows the collection of impact fees, the township must create a TIFAC to develop the transportation capital improvements plan.

Is There a Need?

According to the PA “Transportation Impact Fees Handbook”, impact fees can be used for capacity improvements to accommodate traffic generated by new development, but not to address existing or anticipated deficiencies unrelated to the development.

“As a general rule,” according to the Handbook cited above, “for impact fees to be an effective funding tool, potential should exist for development of at least 50 to 100 residential units per year and approximately 50,000 to 100,000 square feet of non-residential development per year for a minimum of five years. Municipalities that are near build-out or do not expect significant growth due to current zoning, economic conditions, environmental features, or preserved lands generally do not benefit from impact fees.”

Currently, Newtown does NOT have a TIFAC and therefore it CANNOT utilize the $1.6 million dollars in the Transportation Service Area Funds ($470,682.79 in TSA1 fund plus $1.161,472.01 in TSA2 fund, according to the September, 2018, Treasurer’s Report) established as per Act 209.

The TIFAC must be comprised of 7 to 15 members. Although an even number of members is permitted, an odd number is recommended to avoid tie votes on recommended actions to the governing body. A minimum of 40 percent of the TIFAC must be made up of real estate professionals, developers (commercial and/or residential), and building industry professionals that live or conduct business in the municipality.

The remaining 60 percent must be residents. It is desirable to have people with municipal planning experience serve on the committee, such as people who serve on the planning commission and/or other committees. However, municipal staff may not serve on the TIFAC.

Planning Commission Can Act as TIFAC

According to the PA “Transportation Impact Fees Handbook”, a municipality may appoint its Planning Commission as the TIFAC, provided that the 40 percent requirement is met. “If this cannot be met, appropriate people must be appointed to serve as ad hoc voting members of the advisory committee when the planning commission acts as the TIFAC.”

The TIFAC will coordinate with professional traffic engineers and will assess existing traffic conditions throughout the Township, develop recommendations for potential traffic improvements – such as location of additional traffic signals, and develop impact fees for future development based on potential traffic improvements.

If you are interested in serving on this Committee, please submit a letter of interest and resume to Olivia Kivenko, Newtown Township, 100 Municipal Drive, Newtown PA 18940, by email to oliviak@newtownpa.gov or by fax at (215) 968-5368.

Posted on 27 Oct 2018, 01:24 - Category: Traffic

Frost Lane Traffic Study

Recently, a resident of Frost Lane complained to the Township about speeding traffic on her street. As you may know, Goodnoe School is located on Frost Lane, which the resident dubbed “Frost Freeway.” It’s a 25 mph zone and during certain school hours the speed limit is 15 mph. So any speeding on that street is a concern.

When I made an inquiry regarding this issue, Kurt Ferguson, the Township Manager informed me: "Typically these traffic issues are investigated by our staff. We have the ability to measure traffic speed, total cars, as well as looking as site lines, etc. Typically this would be assigned to staff to investigate and to report results to the board."

Within a few days, the Police Department performed a “stealth stat” survey of the traffic flow on Frost Lane. Mr. Ferguson described how this is done at the March 14, 2018, Board of Supervisors meeting:

Some of the results are summarized in the following charts:

Here are some more details:

On the Thursday-Friday survey period, 102 of 851 cars (12%) were going more 10 mph over the speed limit when the posted speed limit was 25 mph.

On the Friday-Saturday survey period, 914 of 3,096 cars (29.5%) were going more 10 mph over the speed limit. Most of those cars were surveyed on when the posted speed limit was 25 mph.

The school zone area was done on a Thursday and Friday. There were a total of 2,643 cars with 1,070 of those cars going over 10 mph over the posted speed limit of 15 mph. That's obviously a concerning number.

Mr. Ferguson said the Township will do speed enforcement on selected Saturdays and during the 15 mph school zone speed limit as well.

UPDATE (June 6, 2018): According to Mr. Ferguson in the full report, "The two (2) signs most in need of replacement are the School "Speed Limit when Flashing" signs. Those signs are the responsibility of the school. I spoke with Doug Taylor from the school district. Council Rock is planning to update these signs throughout the Township. I would anticipate that these will be upgraded by summer."

Yesterday, I noticed that these signs have been replaced as shown in the photos below.

Posted on 15 Mar 2018, 14:20 - Category: Traffic

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