Town tries to get a handle on tricky traffic situations
BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR.
Staff Writer

HOWELL - Township Manager Thomas Czerniecki expects to unveil a policy that will give residents a new way to voice their concerns about traffic problems in the community.

Speaking at the Township Council's Nov. 28 meeting, Czerniecki said that at the present time, residents bring their complaints about traffic to the council on a case-by-case basis. He said that procedure is not conducive for officials to craft long-term solutions to the problems with which they are presented.

"Starting about nine months ago, every council meeting we have had there has been a request for traffic calming," Czerniecki said. "We definitely recommend a policy so residents know where to go and where they can be addressed."

The policy to be developed will outline the process by which a resident may request a study of a traffic issue; discuss how to solicit support among their neighbors; and offer guidelines as to how the requests will be handled by the township.

According to Czerniecki, basic traffic calming methods would include fresh pavement striping, signs and increased police activity in a specific area. More advanced methods would include building traffic islands, narrowing the size of travel lanes and changing traffic patterns.

Regarding the issue of speeding, Czerniecki stressed that the so-called 85th percentile - the speed at which 85 percent of vehicles travel - often complicates the process. He said residents often disagree with the standard, since the speed at which 85 percent of motorists travel on a given street may be in excess of the posted speed limit.

"The 85th percentile is considered safe," Czerniecki said. "Studies have shown that when you don't use it, it may increase accidents."

The manager reminded residents that "the primary mission of roads is to move traffic in a safe way. The council needs to make a strong statement that roads are not designed for recreational purposes."

Specifically, he said, that would mean stating that children should not be playing in the street.

Councilman Robert Walsh applauded Czerniecki's efforts.

"I think this is outstanding, putting a policy in place," he said.

As part of the discussion on traffic calming, Howell police Sgt. Joseph Markulic attended the meeting to report on three specific streets with traffic issues - Tinton Falls Road, Addison Road and Wyckoff Mills Road.

On Tinton Falls Road, which is near the intersection of Route 33 and Route 34 on its northern end and Asbury Road on its southern end, a multitude of problems exist regarding speeding, accidents and noise, according to the officer.

Markulic said commercial vehicle traffic contributes to the problem, along with unclear signs regarding where motorists can make turns. He noted that the road is made of concrete with steel expansion joints, which causes most of the traffic noise.

Markulic said 90 percent of motorists using Tinton Falls Road drive at a speed of at least 40 mph, despite the road's posted 25 mph speed limit.

In an attempt to remedy the situation, the council voted unanimously to close the entrance to the street from Route 33 and Route 34. However, two-way traffic will be permitted for residents who live on Tinton Falls Road.

On Wyckoff Mills Road, which is off Route 9 north near the Villages adult community (and Wooley's fish market), Markulic said speeding remains an issue on the small street. At Markulic's suggestion, the council voted unanimously to place rumble strips on the road in an attempt to cut down on the speed at which motorists are traveling.

The final problem area that was discussed, Addison Road (which runs between Aldrich Road and Interstate 195), has gained attention in recent weeks from resident Stan Horowitz, who has come to council meetings to discuss what he perceives to be out-of-control speeding.

At the council's Nov. 21 meeting, Horowitz said "a car came around the turn on Addison at a high rate of speed and lost control. It took out the undercarriage. This is out of control. The police officer said the car had to do at least 75 mph. We're talking about ripping the undercarriage out of a car."

In his comments, Markulic said lowering the street's posted 35 mph speed limit would be difficult to do due to the 85th percentile rule.

However, the council voted unanimously to place new signs on the street which will inform motorists of the speed they should travel around a curve. The signs will read 25 mph. Signs which show the direction of the curve will be installed, along with new pavement markings and striping.

Czerniecki said the signs should be functional within 45 days and he said the situation will be monitored.