Speeding Monitored, Crosswalk Installed in Crestview Road Neighborhood

Lansdale Police Chief Robert McDyre revealed some preliminary results of a speed and traffic study for the roadways in the neighborhood across Hillcrest Shopping Center off East Main Street, and it shows that cars aren't speeding all the much.
However, police did install a new fluorescent blue-green ladder bar-type crosswalk for students walking to and from Knapp Elementary School at Frederick and Greenwood roads.
"One lady brought it to our attention. By next month, we will have all speed data and some recommendations," McDyre said. "We have to trim some trees and maybe add speed limit signs."
The speed study was prompted last month by Crestview Road resident Scott Steelhammer. Steelhammer brought up concerns about traffic and safety of children in the neighborhood living in homes along Crestview, Highland Road, Clear Spring Road, Greenwood Road and Frederick Road.
The roadways provide a "shortcut" to Knapp Road via Knoll Drive.
McDyre said the study showed that the average speed on Crestview Road was 22 mph and totaled 151 cars a week.
"That's not much," he said.
Greenwood Road showed an average speed of 24 mph, with 765 cars per week traveling one direction and 960 cars the other direction.
"I'm surprised at that," McDyre said of the average speed. "That's surprisingly low."
The highest speed on Greenwood was 66 mph, he said.
"The 85th percentile is what you're supposed to look at. The 85th (on Greenwood) was 31 mph. You can't enforce the limit until six over, so 32 mph," McDyre said. "We’ll put up radar signs and use enforcement there."
One more street is ready for review, he said.
"We need at least five to 10 days of data on each street," he said.
There was also a speeding study done on East Fifth Street, which was also prompted by a concerned resident. Results showed the average speed on that street as 21 mph.
"When you stand there, it's a narrow street. As a car goes by, it sounds loud, but it's the echo off the cars on both sides," McDyre said. "A lot of it is a perception issue."
"You just can't go fast there," said committee Chairman Mike Sobel.