Richard M. Balgowan, PE, PP, CPWM Director of Public Works 240 Tampa Avenue Hamilton, NJ 08610

1. History of Hamilton Township New Jersey’s First Roundabout Northeastern U.S. Roundabouts Peer Exchange July 07/08, 2010 Richard M. Balgowan, PE, PP, CPWM Director of Public Works 240 Tampa Avenue Hamilton, NJ 08610 rbalgowan@hamiltonnj.com 609-890-3567

2. Intersection of George Dye Rd & Estates Boulevard

3. History of Intersection • 1999-2007 • Many complaints from residents about speeding on various streets. • Requests were for speed limit reductions, more stop signs, etc. • Township submitted requests to NJDOT (response time was long & most requests were not approved). • Ultimately, the township administration, at the time, stopped making requests to the NJDOT and did what they felt was right. • Hamilton made at least 18 documented changes to stop signs and speed limit signs to help address speeding issues without NJDOT approval. • The George Dye Road/Estates Blvd Intersection was one of those changes (made into a 4 way stop intersection).

4. History • Eventually, NJDOT became aware of Hamilton Township’s actions. • NJDOT refused to approve Township’s revisions to Traffic Chapter 148 of it’s Municipal Code of Ordinances. • NJDOT sent a letter to the Township withholding approval until all existing conflicts with the traffic regulations were abated.

5. Letter from NJDOT “…..there are traffic controls that conflict with traffic regulations in Traffic Chapter 148. These conflicts must be resolved before the Department can approve this chapter.”

6. History • The new Hamilton Township Administration, that took office Jan 01, 2008, made the decision to abate all conflicts by removing all unapproved signage, etc. • Township Residents were made aware of this decision and were significantly opposed. • Newspaper articles • Letters to the editor • Blogs • Public Meetings were scheduled in the affected areas of the Township to present traffic calming alternatives and solicit input from the residents.

7. Newspaper Website Blogs Comments The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of The Trentonian or trentonian.com. • Hey Johnny B wrote on Dec 11, 2008 6:47 AM: " How about another Roundabout you Brain Surgeon, remember the days when cops would set up speed traps and ya knew when ya went down certain streets ya better go 25, now all the cops are in WaWa and the township slackers are pouring money down the drain with Roundabouts, Have some BALLS Johnny and make those cops enforce the speed limit you wuss... " Report Abuse • hamilton square driver wrote on Dec 11, 2008 9:03 PM: " Mayor Bencivengo quoted as saying people will "love it" while referring to the newly installed "circle" at the intersection of Geo.Dye Rd and Estates Bldv --- is he serious? The residents of Geo.Dye Rd. will be overwhelmed with accidents and MORE speeding after drivers make their way around the circle. This is one of the worse decisions ever made in Ham. Twp -- ludicrous !! (if not dangerous for sure). "

8. TUE, 05/05/2009 - 12:18PM - POSTED BY: ANONYMOUS The mayor spent over 100k on a roundabout, when he couldof spent $5.00 on a stop sign. My kids go to Alexander Elementary school and are still waiting for playground equipment to be installed that have been sittingin a warehouse for over a year. Spend that money on putting the playground equipment up so the children can enjoy it. Disappointed children at Alexander Elementary School. • SUN, 05/03/2009 - 8:15PM - POSTED BY: ANONYMOUS I actually just came on here to write about the stupid roundabout!!! one day someone from out of town who may have been here before is not going to realize it and drive straight through it!!! and what's going to happen when those shrubs grow in?? you wont be able to see people coming from any other directions!! another stupid way to spend Hamilton's money!! • TUE, 04/21/2009 - 12:16PM - POSTED BY: ANONYMOUS As far as our George Dye Circle goes (its a Round-About in New England & Europe) When the State of New Jersey is removing circles, citing the fact they are a dangerous type of intersection that causes indecision on the part of the driver, Hamilton Township is spending time and money to construct one, at an intersection that should work with a stop sign, if you want to make this a more visible Stop Sign, go crazy, put one up that has alternating top and bottom flashing red lights. I has to be cheaper than months of work, tons of material, manpower and equipment. Gary

9. Public Meeting #1Illegal Stop Signs on George Dye Road • Informed Residents that the Stop Signs on George Dye Road were illegal and not enforceable. • Per Federal criteria (MUTCD), stop signs may NOT be used to control speeding. • Township may be liable should accidents occur. • NJDOT demands that Stop Signs be removed.

10. George Dye Rd/Estates Blvd • George Dye Rd is the through street • Stop Signs are only supposed to be on Estates Boulevard • George Dye Rd & Estates Blvd- Speed Limit 25 mph • Three Schools in close proximity to intersection • Crash Data Priorto Multi-Stop Signs • 7 crashes (June of 2001 - April of 2004) • Crash Following Multi-Stop Signs • 4 crashes (April 2004 - March of 2008)

11. Alternatives • Remove Stop Signs on George Dye Road and return to original design conditions. • Request approval from NJDOT for multi-stop intersection. • Consider other forms of Traffic Calming

12. Traffic Calming • Operational Measures • Enhanced Police Enforcement • Speed Displays • Community Speed Watch Programs • Physical Measures • Edge Lines • Chokers • Chicanes • Roundabouts • Speed Humps/Lumps • Speed Tables • Raised Crosswalks • Reduced Lane Widths • Speed Sentry Signs

13. Solicit Public Input • Surveys were handed out and completed by all residents at the meeting with results to be presented at the next Public Meeting.

14. George Dye Rd & Estates Blvd Follow-Up meeting

15. Follow-up Public Meeting • Review results of the Survey taken at the 1st meeting • Results • #1- Keep the Stops Signs (multi-stop) • #2- Speed Humps/Lumps • #3- Roundabout • #4- Others • Discussed things done since first meeting • Traffic Studies • Letter to NJDOT (asking for approval for multi-stop intersection), etc.

16. Follow-up Public Meeting (con’t) • Presented Proposed Plan of Action • Construct Roundabout • Narrow Travel Lanes to 10 feet wide • Install Bike Lanes/Edge Lines • Install Speed Sentry Devices • Increased Police Radar Enforcement

17. Plan With & Without Bike Lanes

18. Plan of Roundabout

19. Construction of Roundabout • Designed by in-house staff • Construction started in late 2008 and was completed (landscaping) in the spring of 2009. All work was accomplished using in-house staff. • Approximate cost of materials- $6,000 • Concrete, rubber mats for stamping concrete, planting materials, etc.

20. Traffic Control &Workzone Safety Plan

21. Roundabout Construction

22. Roundabout Construction

23. Roundabout Construction

24. Roundabout Construction

25. Stamped Sloped Concrete Curb

26. Plantings and Boulders

27. Completed Roundabout

31. Post Construction • Speed reduction of more than 5 miles per hour • No crashes • Vandalism (May 22, 2009 – Criminal Mischief – George Dye Rd. and Estates Blvd. Roundabout, reported at 1:05 AM, boulders moved, tire marks on mulch area and solar lantern broken) • Most residents now like the roundabout • Christmas Tree • Positive environmental impact • Climate Action Plan • 40% reduction in fuel consumption • Reduces carbon monoxide emissions by 32 percent, nitrous oxide emissions by 34 percent, carbon dioxide emissions by 37 percent, and hydrocarbon emissions by 42 percent (source :http://www.northamptonma.gov/tpc/Modern_Roundabouts/)

32. The End Richard M. Balgowan, PE, PP, CPWM Director of Public Works Township of Hamilton 240 Tampa Avenue Hamilton, NJ 08610 rbalgowan@hamiltonnj.com 609-890-3567