Department of Transportation

Division of Transportation Solutions

Statutory Authority: 29 Delaware Code, Section 8404(8); (29 Del.C. §8404(8))

final

ORDER

2404 Traffic Calming Manual

Under Title 17 of the Delaware Code, Sections 134 and 141, as well as 21 Delaware Code Chapter 41, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) sought to adopt a revised version of the Delaware Department of Transportation's Traffic Calming Design Manual as originally adopted in 2000. This revision of the Traffic Calming Design Manual will supersede any previous versions. The Department accepted written comments on the draft changes to the Traffic Calming Design Manual from August 1, 2012 through August 31, 2012 (16 DE Reg. 194 (08/01/12)). Copies of the Draft Traffic Calming Design Manual were obtained by reviewing or downloading a PDF copy at the following web address: http://regulations.delaware.gov/register/august2012/proposed/DETCM.pdf

Summary of the Evidence and Information Submitted

There were no comments received during the comment period. However, the Department staff determined that certain other changes, non-substantive in nature, should also be made to the Draft.

The table accompanying this Order summarizes the changes made to the draft version of the Traffic Calming Design Manual published in the August 2012 edition of the Delaware Register. Each change is listed in the table below, along with its justification.

Findings of Fact

Based on the record in this docket, I make the following findings of fact:

1. The proposed amendments to the Traffic Calming Design Manual are useful and proper, as amended pursuant to the comment period process required under the Administrative Procedures Act.

2. The adoption of these proposed changes to the Traffic Calming Design Manual is in the best interests of the State of Delaware.

Decision and Effective Date

Based on the provisions of Delaware law and the record in this docket, I hereby adopt the revised Traffic Calming Design Manual, as set forth in the version attached hereto, to be effective on November 10, 2012.

IT IS SO ORDERED this 16th day of October, 2012.

Shailen P. Bhatt, Secretary

Delaware Department of Transportation

Page	Sec/Fig	Para.	DelDOT Comment / Proposed Change	Modification
-	Title	-	Title of the previous edition is “Traffic Calming Design Manual”	Title changed to “Traffic Calming Design Manual” Justification: Typographical error. Text modified for consistency purposes.
-	Table of Contents	-	Section 3B.3 – Title does not match the title in the document	Table of Contents modified to”Prefabricated Speed Cushions” to reflect the title in the document. Justification: Ease of reference for users of the manual.
	1B.2	2	Delete the last two sentences	The sentences: “The project appears to have produced the desired reduction in speed for the through traffic. Follow up studies are scheduled” have been deleted. Justification: No studies are currently scheduled at this location.
	2A.5	5	Delete the sentence “Maintenance of brick and other decorative Materials may also be turned over to such associations or individuals”	Text deleted Justification: The Department will be responsible for the constructed portions of traffic calming measures in the right-of-way.
	2B	2	Modify last sentence to include “potentially to be replaced by permanent installations.	Text modified Justification: Text modified to reflect DelDOT’s current practices.
	2B.2		Modify the last sentence to “To discourage casual requests, the petitioners themselves will be responsible for securing funding for modification or removal when the Department finds that such modification or removal is not justified.”	Text modified Justification: Clarification of statement.
	2C.1	5	Modify the second sentence to “For example, projects must be reviewed for need, viability and potential conflict or overlap with nearby projects and their corresponding goals”	Text modified Justification: Clarification of statement.
	2D	1	Modify the first sentence to “Following initial construction, it is important that traffic calming installations, like any other street improvement, receive proper maintenance in order to function safely, as designed and aesthetically pleasing.”	Text modified Justification: Clarification of statement.
	3C.7		Change the last sentence under Design Vehicles to “Typically, no portion of the neighborhood traffic circle is raised; therefore, turns by any size vehicle can be accommodated to the same degree as the existing non-circular roundabouts.	Text modified Justification: Clarification of statement.
	3C.7		Design Considerations: Add a bullet to address pedestrian issues	Text has been added – “If provided, crosswalks at mini-roundabouts and neighborhood traffic circles should be in constructed in accordance with the guidance provided in the DE MUTCD for roundabouts with the appropriate setback from the yield line.” Justification: Text added to address pedestrians near a mini-roundabout.
	4A		Delete the phrase ‘in upper case letters’ from the third bullet	Text has been deleted. Justification: Text edited to reflect the latest DE MUTCD standards
	4B.2	4	Add a reference to table 2C-4 from the DE MUTCD	Reference has been added to the text. Justification: Ease of reference for users of the Manual.
	4B.3	3	Include language to clarify the different types of roundabouts where the signs may be used	Text has been amended Justification: Clarification of statement