REVIEW OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING SCHOOL SPEED ZONES

Fitzpatrick 1 3 rd Urban Street Symposium June 24-27, 2007 Seattle, Washington REVIEW OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING SCHOOL SPEED ZONES By Kay Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., P.E. Research Engineer Texas Transportation Institute, 3135 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-3135 phone: 979/845-7321, fax: 979/845-6481 email: K-Fitzpatrick@tamu.edu Prepared For Third Urban Street Symposium, Seattle, Washington June 25-27, 2007 ABSTRACT A recent survey conducted by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Traffic Engineering Council included a request to identify guidelines or warrants used to determine when to install school speed zones. Several agencies noted that they use the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) when determining when to install a reduced school speed zone. Some agencies use local or state guidelines. The paper contains a summary, and in some cases an excerpt, of the guidelines provided. The paper starts with a review of key elements on the topic within the MUTCD. Next are the summaries of the state guidelines. The paper ends with summaries of city or county guidelines.

Fitzpatrick 2 REVIEW OF GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING SCHOOL SPEED ZONES By Kay Fitzpatrick INTRODUCTION A recent survey conducted by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Traffic Engineering Council (TENC) (1) included a request to identify guidelines or warrants used to determine when to install school speed zones. Several agencies noted that they use the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) (2) when determining when to install a reduced school speed zone. Some agencies use local or state guidelines. Following is a summary, and in some cases an excerpt, of the guidelines provided. The paper starts with a summary of key elements on the topic within the MUTCD. Next are the summaries of the state guidelines. The paper ends with summaries of city or county guidelines. MUTCD The MUTCD includes information on traffic controls for school areas in Part 7. Part 7 includes general information along with information on signs, markings, and signals. In addition it has sections on crossing supervision and grade-separated crossings. Figure 1 shows examples of school speed limit related signs. With respect to information on establishing school speed zones, the MUTCD states in Section 7B.11 (School Speed Limit Assembly) that a School Speed Limit assembly (S4-1, S4-2, S4-3, S4-4, S4-6, S5-1) or a School Speed Limit sign (S5-1) shall be used where a reduced speed zone has been established: in accordance with law based upon an engineering study or where a speed limit is specified for such areas by statute. Guidance in the MUTCD includes: zone should begin either at a point 200 ft from the crosswalk or 100 ft from the school property line. Several options for speed limit assemblies are in the MUTCD including the following: changeable message signs may be used and fluorescent yellow-green pixels may be used when school-related messages are shown on a changeable message sign. The end of the school speed zone is to be marked with a standard Speed Limit sign showing the speed limit for the section of highway that follows or with an END SCHOOL ZONE (S5-2) sign. The Reduced Speed School Zone Ahead (S4-5, S5-5a) sign may be used to inform road users of a reduced speed zone when engineering judgment indicates that advance notice would be appropriate.

Fitzpatrick 3 ALASKA Figure 1. Examples of Signs from MUTCD. Alaska has a traffic manual supplement (3) to the 2003 edition of the MUTCD that became effective December 22, 2005. The supplement has school zone traffic control guidelines. Table 1 reproduces the criteria for rural highways and Table 2 reproduces the criteria for urban roads. These criteria apply only to roads abutting school property and non-abutting roads at designated school crossings. The supplement also provides the following: If used, the School Advance Warning sign shall be installed not less than 150 ft nor more than 700 ft in advance of the school grounds or school crossing. The reduced school zone shall begin at a point 300 ft or more from the school crosswalk, if there is one. The Reduced Speed School Zone Ahead (S4-5, S4-5a) sign should only be used when the school zone speed limit is 20 mph or more below the speed limit on the approaching road. Table 1. Rural School Zone Traffic Control for Alaska (3). Road Adjacent to School Road Not Adjacent to School Grounds Grounds Speed Limit Speed Limit School zone traffic control devices should not be placed on # 35 mph 40 mph roads that do not abut school grounds unless a crossing guard Advance Advance School is present at the site. Any exception to this rule must be School Signs Signs (S1-1) based on a site-specific engineering study. (S1-1) (beacon optional)

Fitzpatrick 4 Table 2. Urban School Zone Traffic Control Guidelines for Alaska (3). Grade Level (Lowest Grade Taught at School) 9-12 5-8 K-4 Condition No* AS AC 20 MC CG G? No AS AC 20 MC CG G? No AS AC 20 MC CG G? Students Required to Cross Road at Grade Traffic Signal at Crossing ESL #20 mph ESP >20 mph No Traffic Signal at Crossing Stop-Controlled Crossing H H H Not Stop-Controlled Crossing Sufficient Gaps B ESL #20 mph ESP >20 mph Insufficient Gaps Crossing Guard E,F ESL #20 mph Not applicable ESP >20 mph Grade Separation See Students Not Required to Cross Road at Grade Ped Signal (if warranted) C Mid-street refuge island G See Students Required to Cross Road at Grade / Traffic Signal at Crossing If refuge provides sufficient gaps, see Student Required to Cross Road at Grade / No Traffic Signal at Crossing / Not Stop-Controlled Crossing / Sufficient Gaps. If refuge does not provide sufficient gaps, choose another solution. Students Not Required to Cross Road At Grade (could be grade-separated or just no crossing) Completely Fenced A Not Completely Fenced *LEGEND No = No school signs AS = Advance School Sign (S1-1 and W16-9p) only AC = Advance and Crossing (S1-1 and W16-7p) School Signs Overhead illuminated S1-1 sign optional 20 = Advance and Crossing School Signs + 20 mph When Flashing (S5-1) with flasher, or 20 mph School Speed Limit Assemblies (with S4-1, S4-2, S4-4, or S4-6 plates). Overhead illuminated S1-1 sign optional MC = Marked Crosswalk install at nearest intersection, if within 400 ft. If there is already a crosswalk within 400 ft, use it as the school crosswalk. Use school crosswalk signs at midblock locations if within a school zone. CG = Crossing Guard G? = School districts should considered crossing guards at major street crossings. NOTES A Completely fenced means fencing that restricts all access from the street side of the school to the street. B See Section 7A.03 of the MUTCD for gap sufficiency determination: when gaps are insufficient for crossing, student re-routing, busing, or mid-street pedestrian refuge islands should be the first options considered. Guard or pedestrian signals should be viewed as last resorts. C Traffic signals may be installed (but are not mandated for pedestrians when the Minimum Pedestrian Volume or School Crossing warrants defined in Sections 4C.05 and 4C.06 of the MUTCD are met. Although these signals may be installed mid-block, every effort should be made to install them at intersections and run them as conventional signals. D The Overhead Sign with Flashers referenced in the legend are S1-1 school crossing signs with flashing lights hung over the road at or near the crosswalk. The flashing lights may be either inside of an internally illuminated sign or external. If the site has advance school flashers, the overhead flashers shall flash when the school flashers flash. E Crossing guards are only a solution on streets with inadequate gaps when policy allows guards to create, rather than just extend, gaps in traffic. F Crossing guards should not be used when streets have more than three lanes. G Mid-street pedestrian refuges increase the number of gaps of sufficient duration for crossing by splitting the crossing into two parts, which: (a) reduces gap duration necessary for crossing by reducing crossing distance, and (b) increase gap frequency by reducing the conflicting traffic volume. Pedestrian refuges should be at least 6 ft wide. H Major streets only.

Fitzpatrick 5 ARIZONA Arizona may have the most restricted speed requirements for school zones of all the states. In 1950 Arizona endorsed a unique traffic control concept that would slow motorists to 15 mph at school crossings. Guidelines were developed in 1953 to aid in the implementation of the concept. They were revised in October 2006 to create the 9 th edition of the guidelines (4). Elements of the School Crossing concept include the following: marking School Crossings using yellow markings rather than standard white markings, prohibiting passing on the approaches to the School Crossing, placing 15 mph portable speed limit signs in the roadway in advance of the crosswalk, STOP WHEN CHILDREN IN CROSSWALK portable signs at the crosswalk during specific hours that each school crossing is in effect, and Adult crossing guards are provided in many cases. Figure 2 shows an example of the School Crossing concept for a two-lane roadway. Figure 2. Example of the Arizona School Crossing Concept (4). Experience within Arizona has showed that school crossings should: not be used at high schools, not be used within 600 feet of a STOP sign, traffic signal, or another school crossing on the same street, and not be used in conjunction with STOP signs or traffic signals.

Fitzpatrick 6 School crossings are to be established in compliance with the revised Arizona statute (Arizona Revised Statutes Article 10, Section 28-797) and on the basis of an engineering assessment of the location. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) uses a warrant procedure based on points (see Table 3 and Table 4) for making crossing assessments on state highways. Their guidelines emphasize; however, that the warrant procedure is not required for the installation of a school crossing nor is it intended to be a substitute for engineering judgment. Table 3. ADOT School Crossing Warrants. The minimum warrant for the installation of a marked School Crossing is satisfied when a location rates at least two points for school age pedestrian volumes and has an overall total of at least 16 points in an urban area or 12 points in an isolated community under 10,000 population (rural). A. Average Time Between Gaps Warrant: maximum 10 points B. School Age Pedestrian Volume Warrant: maximum 10 points C. 85 th Percentile Approach Speed Warrant: maximum 5 points D. Average Demand Per Gap Warrant: maximum 8 points Maximum Total Points: 33 points Average Time Between Gaps Point assignment is based on gap measurements taken during the evaluation period. Average Minutes between Usable Gaps in Traffic Less than 1 1.01-1.25 1.26-1.67 1.67-2.50 2.51-5.00 Over 5 Points 0 2 4 6 8 10 85 th Percentile Approach Speed Warrant Points are assigned in accordance with the vehicular approach speed from both directions of travel as determined through engineering speed studies. No School Crossings shall be installed on state highways having 85 th percentile operating speeds in excess of 45 mph. Approach Speed (mph) Under 20 20-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 Points 0 1 2 3 4 5 School Age Pedestrian Volume Warrant Points are assigned in accordance with the total number of school age pedestrians crossing at the study location on the way to or from school during the evaluation period. A School Crossing shall not be installed where the school age pedestrian volume is 10 or fewer. Urban Rural Points 10 or fewer 11-30 31-50 51-70 71-90 Over 90 10 or fewer 11-20 21-35 36-50 51-65 Over 65 0 2 4 6 8 10 Average Demand Per Gap Warrant Points are assigned in accordance with the average number of demands per gap during the evaluation period. Since school children frequently walk in groups, the arrival of each individual, or group, at the crossing location should be construed as one demand, e.g., the arrival of a group of three, one individual, a group of two, and another individual constitute four demands. Average Demand Per Gap 1 or less 1.01-1.67 1.68-2.33 2.34-3.00 Over 3.00 Points 0 2 4 6 8

Fitzpatrick 7 Table 4. Supporting Material for ADOT School Crossing Warrants. Formulas School age pedestrian crossing time = W/3.5 + 3 + 2(N-1) where: W/3.5 = crossing time in seconds (sec) W = critical width of the pavement to be crossed, measure street width, curb extension to curb extension (ft) All roadways having a raised, painted or earthen median at least 6 ft in width for curbed sections and 10 ft in width for uncurbed sections, may be considered two separate roadways. Roadways having two-way left-turn lanes may be considered as two separate roadways, when in the judgment of the engineer, it is appropriate. 3.5 = assumed juvenile pedestrian walking speed of 3.5 fps 3 = pedestrian perception and reaction time, the number of seconds required for a child to look both ways, make a decision, and commence to walk across the roadway (sec) 2(N-1)= pedestrian clearance time (ft) Pedestrian clearance time is the additional seconds of time required to clear the largest observed group of children from the roadway. The children are assumed to cross the roadway in rows of five with two-second time intervals between each row. The clearance time interval is equal to 2 (N-1) where N is the number of roads, 1 represents the first row, and 2 the time interval between rows. Trial usable gap = W+3 Average minutes between gaps = length of evaluation period in minutes/number of usable gaps Average number of demands per gap = total demands during evaluation period/number of usable gaps Survey Methods Duration of survey: 45 minutes before school starts to 15 minutes after school starts in the morning and 30 minutes before school ends to 30 minutes after school ends in the afternoon. Type of Survey School age pedestrian count within the proposed School Crossing area during the evaluation period Usable gap time count during the same evaluation period. o Children may cross roadways in groups and additional seconds of time are required to clear the largest observed group of children from the roadway. Since the size of the groups is unknown until the field data collection is completed, a trial usable gap should be used for field data collection. o The trial usable gap is the curb-to-curb width of the street, in feet, plus 3. This ensures that the usable gaps measured in the field will include as a subset all the actual usable gaps since a group size of no more than one row is assumed. o During the evaluation period, the length of each gap that is equal to or exceeds the calculated trial usable gap time is entered on the field data form in seconds Speed samples should be obtained. FLORIDA Florida Department of Transportation, Traffic Engineering and Operations, has a May 3, 2006 Topic memo (5) that discusses school zones and school crossings. Information within the memo is in a bullet format with several references to other Florida memos and Statutes. Key portions with respect to this effort are summarized below: Only Headstart facilities and elementary or middle schools are eligible (i.e., not high schools unless special circumstances occur ). A school zone speed limit may not be less than 15 mph except by local regulation. No school zone speed limit shall be more than 20 mph in an urbanized area

Fitzpatrick 8 speed limit may be in force only during those times 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after the periods of time when pupils are arriving School speed zones are selected based on engineering studies that should include the following data: vehicle spot speed, pedestrian group size, vehicle gap size, and number of adequate gaps occurring when children are present. School speed zones can be used at school crossings at signalized intersections if justified by engineering study. In rural areas, where approach speeds are higher, flashing beacons should be used to increase the conspicuity of school zones. Schools may use approved traffic cones or 28-inch school zone vertical panels within the roadway during approved school hours. School speed zones should be kept as short as practical and should not necessarily extend along the entire highway frontage of the school property. School zones and signalized intersections are independent control techniques, and the use of one neither requires nor precludes the use of the other. Whenever possible, if a school crossing is warranted, it should be located at a signalized intersection. MINNESOTA Minnesota has A Guide to Establishing Speed Limits in School Zones (6). The document provides information on the law, accident experience, and other items related to schools. Guidance provided regarding the selection of a speed for a school zones is: Determination of appropriate school speed limits should be made after all the inventory data have been analyzed and appropriate corrective measures have been taken. The speed limit selected must be based on a common sense evaluation of the hazard potential and must be reasonable to gain voluntary driver acceptance. Minnesota state law says: Local authorities may establish a school speed limit within a school zone of a public or nonpublic school upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation as prescribed by the commissioner of transportation. The establishment of a school speed limit on any trunk highway shall be with the consent of the commissioner of transportation. Such school speed limits shall be in effect when children are present, going to or leaving school during opening or closing hours or during school recess periods. The school speed limit shall not be lower than 15 miles per hour and shall not be more than 30 miles per hour below the established speed limit on an affected street or highway. NEW YORK Key provisions (7) from a September 2003 amended law regarding the posting of school speed limits within a school zone included: There are two choices available for the hours of operations:

Fitzpatrick 9 o Fixed Message School Speed Limit Signs with or without Flashing Beacons traditional 7 am to 6 pm hours on school days. o Alternative time within such core hours. Note: Flashing beacons used in a supplementary manner may only flash during the actual hours stated on the supplemental time/day panel. Flashing beacons accompanied by a WHEN FLASHING panel beacons shall only flash during student activities at the school: maximum of 30 minutes prior to and 30 minutes after the conclusion of the event. Maximum distance for a school speed zone is 1320 feet (0.25 mile) along a highway passing a school building entrance or exit of a school abutting on the highway. A school speed limit may be established on a highway at the following facilities under the following conditions: o Some of the students walk or bicycle to or from school; or the school and related facilities (e.g. classrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium, playground, athletic fields, parking lots, etc.) are separated by a highway and require the students to cross the highway on foot to access the facilities; and o The school administration and the jurisdiction responsible for the highway provide written documentation of their support for a school speed limit. When a school speed limit is established and if students must cross a highway at a school, the following conditions should be met: o The school speed zone contains a marked crosswalk. o The crosswalk is supervised by an adult crossing guard. o There is no traffic control signal, pedestrian overpass, or bridge suitable for pedestrian use within the designated school speed zone. The numerical value of a school speed limit should be approximately 10 mph below the normally prevailing 85th percentile speed on the highway; or approximate the 85th percentile speed within the zone during school crossing periods. The Vehicle and Traffic Law prohibits school speed limits less than 15 miles per hour. OREGON The Oregon Department of Transportation has A Guide to School Area Safety (8) that was updated in August 2006. The update included changes due to House Bill 2840 which was signed into law on July 20, 2005. It designated two categories of school zones crosswalk adjacent and crosswalk not adjacent. School zones on roadways adjacent to school grounds can be either: When Flashing, or School Days 7 AM to 5 PM. Those school zones at a school crosswalk away from school grounds can be either: When Flashing, or When Children are Present. In the Oregon A Guide to School Area Safety a school speed zone is defined as: A school speed zone is a special 20 mph speed zone for schools allowed by statute and defined by school speed signs. The school speed zone begins at the

Fitzpatrick 10 SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT 20 sign and ends at the END SCHOOL SPEED ZONE sign or other posted speed sign. The guide notes that each road authority (state, county, or city) determines, for roadways under their jurisdiction, where school speed zones are located and that the location should be determined on the basis of an engineering study. The guide gives advice on where school zones are encouraged, discouraged, or require further justification. The advice is reproduced in Table 5. The guide also states that school speed zones should begin 100 to 200 ft from the school property line or school crosswalk and that they should be kept short to enhance driver compliance. In addition to providing material on school speed zones, Oregon s 34-page Guide also provides information on: Laws and rules about school zones, Safe Routes to School Program, Traffic Control Elements, Street Design Elements, Activity Elements, and Resources. Table 5. Oregon Advice on Where to Consider School Speed Zones. Locations Where School Speed Zones are Encouraged A school zone is recommended, when supported by an engineering study, where all the following conditions exist: The roadway is adjacent to the school ground (not limited to front of school buildings), There is at least one marked school crosswalk within the proposed school zone which is not protected by a signal or STOP sign. The property houses a full-time public or private school. The school is elementary or middle (schools that include grades K-8) instruction. The posted speed is 40 mph or below. Locations Where School Speed Zones Require Further Justification Where any of the following conditions exist, an engineering study should be the bases to determine whether there is a need for a school speed zone. The school is a public or private high school. The marked school crosswalk is at a signalized intersection. The marked school crosswalk is at a STOP sign. The marked school crosswalk is on a roadway segment not adjacent to the school grounds. Children walking on the school s Safe Routes to School Plan do not cross the roadway adjacent to school grounds. Locations Where School Speed Zones are Discouraged Roadways where the speed is posted 45 mph or above should implement school speed zones only after all other options for transporting children to school safely have been tried. In some cases all children are bused to school, even short distances. The road authority should verify whether or not children are walking or biking to school. Some children, especially middle school students, will prefer walking to biking to school even when buses are available. If there are children walking to school on a high speed or high traffic volume road, the road authority should consider providing improved pedestrian facilities for greater safety for the students. A reduced school speed may also be considered as part of those improvements. A school speed zone provides the greatest margin of safety on high speed or high volume roads when implemented along with other pedestrian improvements such as sidewalks, crosswalk bulb-outs, and crossing guards.

Fitzpatrick 11 TEXAS Texas Department of Transportation has a manual, Procedures for Establishing Speed Zones (9), which includes information on school zones. School reduced speed limits should be : used during the hours when children are going to and from school. considered only for schools located adjacent to highways or visible from highways. determined using pedestrian crossing activity as the primary basis. considering irregular traffic and pedestrian movements. To handle the large speed reductions needed when a reduced school speed limit is needed on a high speed rural highway, TxDOT has developed a unique treatment called a buffer zone (see Figure 3 for a typical school zone with flashing buffer zone). The buffer zone assists in stepping down the speed for a highway segment with an 85 th percentile speed greater than 55 mph. Previously, a regulatory sign would be used to reduce the speed. The school buffer zone permits motorists to travel at the higher posted speeds through both zones (buffer and school zones) when the slower speeds are not necessary. Figure 3. Typical School Zone with Flashing Buffer Zone from TxDOT Procedures for Establishing Speed Zones (9). ALASKA, MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE Anchorage has a School Zone Policy Manual (10). The manual includes school zone traffic control guidelines presented similar to Table 2 in this paper. Anchorage also includes guidance for installing SCHOOL XING pavement markings (when installing Advance and Crossing School Signs) and SCHOOL ZONE pavement markings (when installing Advance and Crossing School Signs + 20 mph When Flashing (S5-1) with flasher). Figure 4 shows an example of Advance and Crossing sign locations while Figure 5 shows an example for Speed Limit 20 mph When Flashing sign locations.

Fitzpatrick 12 Figure 4. Advance with Crossing Sign Location for Anchorage, Alaska (10).

Fitzpatrick 13 Figure 5. 20 mph When Flashing Sign Location for Anchorage, Alaska (10).

Fitzpatrick 14 Anchorage s policy states that all school zones shall end with a standard maximum speed (R2-1M) sign and that an End School Zone (S5-2B) sign shall be mounted below the R2-1M. Anchorage Speed Limit 20 When Flashing signs are accompanied by four signal heads with 12 inch diameter yellow lenses. The beacons, one placed on each side of the S1-1, shall illuminate alternately allowing two flashers to face oncoming vehicular traffic approaching in each direction (see Figure 6 for an example). Figure 6. Example of Flashing Beacons in Anchorage, Alaska (10). ARIZONA, PHOENIX Phoenix, Arizona provides additional details in their School Crossings (15 mph zone) section of their Traffic Operations Handbook (11). They reference their state guidelines and note that the signs and markings should be in general conformance with state guidelines with the following exceptions: Portable signs are to be 20 inches by 30 inches and Phoenix installs solid lane lines in advance of crosswalks. FLORIDA, CAPE CORAL Cape Coral, Florida s Basic Traffic Engineering Section Technical Guidelines for the Installation of School Speed Zone and/or Its Relevant Elements in the City of Cape Coral (12) provides guidance for school speed zones. School speed zones are in general set at 20 mph and operate from 45 minutes before school begins until 15 minutes after school begins and then for 15 minutes before school is out in the afternoon until 30 minutes after school is out. The document notes The use of well-trained adult crossing guards has been found to be one of the most effective measures for assisting children to cross streets safely. The State Statute 1006.23 defines hazardous walking conditions for students. Following is a summary and interpretation of selected key criteria for when hazardous walking conditions do not exist; the state statute should be consulted for specifics on the requirements: Walkways parallel to the road Sidewalk (4 ft minimum) that is adjacent to a curbed road with posted speed less than 50 mph. Sidewalk (4 ft minimum) that is more than 3 ft from road edge when road is uncurbed and has a posted speed of 55 mph. Volume is less than 180 vph per direction during the time students walk to and from school.

Fitzpatrick 15 Is located in a residential area with posted speed limit of 30 mph or less. Walkways perpendicular to the road If traffic volume is less than 360 vph per direction (all lanes) during the time students walk to and from school if crossing site is uncontrolled. Volume is less than 4000 vph through an intersection controlled by stop sign or signal, unless crossing guards are present during the time students walk to and from school. KANSAS, CITY OF OVERLAND PARK Overland Park in Kansas has city guidelines regarding the installation of school zone signs (13). The guidelines reference the MUTCD in several areas. A Speed Limit (R2-1) sign or End School Zone (S5-2) sign are to be used at the end of the school speed zone. The guidelines provide information on the amount of speed reduction for a school speed zone. Table 6 summarizes the material. A Speed Limit Sign Beacon is to be installed with the School Speed Limit (S5-1) sign: for elementary and middle schools, when the speed is reduced in increments of 10 mph, there are more than two lanes regardless of the regular posted speed limit as available funding permits, and only when there is a marked school crosswalk. Table 6. City of Overland Park, Kansas Guidance on Speed Reduction for School Speed Zone. Posted Speed Limit Other Considerations School Zone Speed Limit 30 mph -- 25 mph via R2-1 sign 35 mph Pedestrian activity present Reduce by 10 mph, i.e., from 35 mph to 25 mph 45 mph Remove assembly during summer vacation Reduce by 10 mph, i.e., from 45 mph to 35 mph MARYLAND, MONTGOMERY COUNTY Montgomery County, Maryland has a policy (14) for establishing school zone traffic controls. Per Montgomery County Code, the minimum speed limit for any county-maintained street is 25 mph, so no reduced speed limit shall be below 25 mph. In addition, no school zone speed limit shall be greater than 20 mph below the existing posted speed limit. Also, school zones shall be adjacent to the school property. Table 7 summarizes their criteria for setting school speed zones while Table 8 summarizes their criteria for installing flashing school speed limit signs.

Fitzpatrick 16 Table 7. Summary of Montgomery County, Maryland Guidance on Setting School Speed Zone (See Policy (14) for Additional Details). Elementary and Middle Schools High Schools Location Street under consideration directly fronts the school property Street under consideration directly fronts the school property Speed Limit Posted speed limit 30 mph Posted speed limit 35 mph Vehicular Volume (during school arrival/departure times) School Crossing Visibility Conditions Non-divided 150 vph one direction 250 vph both directions Divided 400 vph both directions At least one crossing guard has been assigned Non-divided 250 vph one direction 400 vph both directions Divided 800 vph both directions At least one school crossing and at least 10 students utilize the crossing Limited sight distance or approach visibility as defined by AASHTO such that a reduced speed limit within the School Zone would provide acceptable conditions Table 8. Summary of Montgomery County, Maryland Guidance on Installation of Flashing School Speed Limit Signs (See Policy (14)for Additional Details). Posted Speed Limit Of 25 Mph Posted Speed Limit Of 30 Mph Or Greater Prevailing speed 85 th %-ile speed posted speed > 10 mph 85 th %-ile speed posted speed > 10 mph Vehicular Volume (during 200 vph one direction 300 vph one direction school arrival/departure times) 300 vph both directions 500 vph both directions Pedestrian Volume Substantial number of student walkers: Cross street within 2 blocks or 1000 ft (whichever is less) of school at crossings that are uncontrolled but crossing guard may be present OR Walk along the street or within close proximity (20 ft) to street ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This paper is based on information gathered as part of a survey conducted by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Traffic Engineering Council Technical Committee 106-01. Research into the guidelines being used to establish school speed zones was sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and was performed by the Texas Transportation Institute. The contents of this paper reflect the views of the author, who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or polices of TxDOT, FHWA, or ITE. The author appreciate the comments provided by the following individuals who assisted with the development of the ITE survey: Jacob Benfield, Chris Dack, David G. Gerard, Shauna Hallmark, Michael R Hendrix, Thomas K Mericle, Avani Patel, Terrence J Rice, Steven J Stuart, Allen E Swanson, Anthony P Voigt.

Fitzpatrick 17 REFERENCES 1 Survey of Practice for Signing and Markings near Schools. Forthcoming publications from the ITE Traffic Engineering Council Technical Committee 106-01. Kay Fitzpatrick, Chair. Institute of Transportation Engineers. 2007. 2 Federal Highway Administration. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Access from: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno-2003r1.htm. Accessed on April 19, 2007. 2003. 3 Alaska Department of Transportation. Alaska Traffic Manual Supplement to the 2003 Edition MUTCD, Rev. 1. Part 7. Traffic Control for School Areas. Effective 12/22/05. 4 Arizona Department of Transportation. Traffic Safety for School Areas Guidelines 2006. Accessed from: http://www.azdot.gov/highways/traffic/standards/school_safety/schoolsafety_120106.pdf. Accessed on April 6, 2007. October 2006. 5 Florida Department of Transportation, Traffic Engineering and Operations. Establishing School Zones and School Crossings. Accessed from: http://www2.dot.state.fl.us/proceduraldocuments/procedures/proceduresbytitle.asp?index=e. Accessed on April 19, 2007. May 3, 2006. 6 A Guide to Establishing Speed Limits in School Zones. Order No. 63700. Minnesota Department of Transportation. April 30, 1980 with addendum referencing 2003 MUTCD. 7 New York State Department of Transportation. What is the New York State Regulation for Posting a Speed Limit within a School Zone? accessed from: https://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/about-nysdot/faq/posting-speed-limit-within-aschool-zone. Access on April 19, 2007. 2007. 8 Oregon Department of Transportation, A Guide to School Area Safety. Accessed from http://www.oregon.gov/odot/hwy/traffic- ROADWAY/school_zone_speed_limit.shtml. Accessed on April 19, 2007. August 2006. 9 Texas Department of Transportation. Procedures for Establishing Speed Zones.. access from: http://www.dot.state.tx.us/services/general_services/manuals.htm. Accessed on May 8, 2007. November 2006. 10 Municipality of Anchorage Traffic Department. School Zone Policy Manual. February 2006. 11 School Crossings (15 mph Zone) Traffic Operations Handbook. Phoenix, Arizona. May 17, 2000. 12 Basic Traffic Engineering Section Technical Guidelines for the Installation of School Speed Zone and/or Its Relevant Elements in the City of Cape Coral Public Work s Department, Transportation Division, Traffic Engineering Section. City of Cape Coral, Florida. Undated. 13 City Guidelines Regarding the Installation of School Zone Signs. Traffic Services Division of the Department of Public Works, City of Overland Park, Kansas. Revised 11/24/04. 14 Leck, G. Policy for Establishment of School Zone Traffic Controls. Memorandum Policy GP-14. Montgomery County, Maryland. June 1, 2002.