Traffic Calming At Binghamton University

Radar speedcheck signs first installed more than four years ago continue to operate effectively and maintenance free according to campus police at Binghamton University. In 2005, four of the displays were placed on the university campus as part of several measures aimed at ensuring pedestrian safety. University police say the radar speed signs, all manufactured by Information Display Company, continue to be highly effective at slowing cars at all four locations throughout the heavily trafficked campus.

“We had some initial concern that drivers would eventually become used to the radar speed displays and that the signs would lose their effectiveness over time,” said Timothy R. Faughnan, deputy chief of police, Binghamton University, “but that has certainly not been the case. Years later, we still see brake lights come on as the signs remind drivers to observe their current rate of speed and make adjustments as needed.”

Findings like these are putting to bed questions regarding the long-term effectiveness of radar speed signs. When the technology was first introduced, their immediate effectiveness was easily observed. But many wondered if drivers would eventually become immune to the displays over time.

The observations of the Binghamton University police align with a growing body of scientific evidence.

In a 2004-2005 study conducted by the City of Bellevue, Washington, researchers found that stationary radar speedcheck signs continue to reduce 85th percentile speeds more than four years after first being installed.

In another study by the Texas Transportation Institute, the effectiveness of permanently mounted radar speed signs was observed in school zone applications. Before installation, average speeds were nearly ten miles per hour higher than the posted limit. Four months after the speedcheck displays were installed, average speeds were still 9 mph lower than before installation.

Binghamton University mounted their four displays near campus crosswalks where pedestrian traffic is particularly high and posted speed limits are reduced. The displays tell passing drivers their actual speed and flash the numbers if the driver exceeds a pre-set limit.

“We worked closely with the university to ensure they had the right traffic calming equipment for the job,” said Gary ODell, president of Information Display Company. “The four locations chosen for the signs were next to easily accessible power sources, so we suggested they forgo solar power options. We also suggested they use the signs’ maximum speed display settings to alleviate concern that some drivers might try to purposely achieve high display numbers.”

IDC also worked closely with the university to ensure the models they chose were designed to maximize driver compliance. Studies show that design features such as the colors used, overall dimensions and the size of the signs’ letters and numerals can all have a significant impact on the unit’s overall effectiveness. A 2008 article published in the IMSA Journal noted that in public-use applications, those units adhering most closely to MUTCD guidelines for sign designs were most likely to be taken seriously by drivers – and therefore were found to be most effective.

The studies are in – and the results are conclusive. In a variety of applications, radar speedcheck signs have clearly proven to be effective traffic calming devices for both the short-term and the long-term.

Case closed.