Vision Zero Aims to Slow Speeds, Lower Pedestrian Fatalities
The Traffic Group, Inc. (TTG) – one of the nation’s leading SDVOSB traffic engineering and transportation planning firms – has completed a Vision Zero traffic calming project for the Village of Martins in Montgomery County, a suburb of Washington, D.C.
With roots dating back to the late 1800’s, this 325-home community commissioned a Traffic Calming project in response to feedback from residents who were concerned for the safety of both adults and children as a result of speeding on narrow roads combined with a lack of walkways.
A significant number of residents cited dangerous traffic speeds as a concern, with speeding being top of the list of most critical pedestrian issues to address. Therefore, The Traffic Group conducted speed studies on the most critical roads to document existing vehicle speeds using non-intrusive technology.
In addition to the speed studies, radar speed signage was installed. The radar signage equipment records vehicle speed averages throughout the detection zone. In this case, peak speeds along key roadways were recorded upwards of 50 MPH.
The Traffic Group recommended additional speed humps, signage, and pavement markings. These traffic calming measures, combined with new pedestrian sidewalk recommendations, will help ensure safety of those residents who enjoying walking the neighborhood.
In fact, when the study was coming to the conclusion and radar speed signs were removed, one resident said he was sad to see them removed and he thought they were really helping slow down vehicles. As a result, the Village is considering a permanent radar speed sign installation.
“We are keenly aware of just how many residents enjoying walking in their community, but who felt unsafe as a result of constant speeding,” says Wes Guckert, PTP, President and CEO of The Traffic Group and an expert on Vision Zero and related countermeasures.
Guckert continues, “With over 3,000 pedestrians injured annually in Maryland alone, and fatalities continuing to climb, we wanted to work with the community to provide a variety of measures that would calm traffic and slow drivers. We think our multi-layered recommendations will provide the residents a safer, more enjoyable experience when walking in their community.”
Since the firm launched in 1985, The Traffic Group has provided traffic engineering and transportation planning, data collection, parking demand and operation services throughout the United States.
About The Traffic Group, Inc.
Established in 1985, The Traffic Group, Inc. (TTG) is a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) traffic engineering and transportation planning specialty firm headquartered in Baltimore County, Maryland.
Through use of sophisticated technology and the in-house experience of more than 80 industry professionals, TTG offers services that help determine road improvements, signal and sign location, lighting plans, land usage, public facility and capacity issues, and security measures. With over 4,000 pieces of traffic data collection equipment, The Traffic Group has the largest inventory of such equipment in the U.S. and conducts more than 100,000 counts for clients annually.
For more information about The Traffic Group, visit the company’s website at www.trafficgroup.com or follow them on LinkedIn.
