The primary objective of Speed Tables is the reduction of vehicle speeds on residential/subdivision streets. There may be certain beneficial side effects to speed table installations, such as a reduction in arterial traffic diverted to local streets, but the intended purpose is speed control. The following information is intended to answer the most common questions regarding the speed table program.

Speed tables are typically 22 feet in the direction of travel with 6-foot ramps on each end and a 10-foot flat section in the middle. The height of speed tables is approximately 3 to 4 inches high.

CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION

A completed petition, which must be signed by persons representing no less than three-fourths (75%) of the developed property (on a front footage basis) on BOTH sides of the street, in increments of complete blocks. For streets over 1000 feet between intersections, a block can be represented by a change in the house numbers in increments of 100. If there are rental properties located within the block, then the property owner and not the person living at the address must sign the petition. Apartment managers or owners must sign the petition to represent apartment buildings. For condominiums or town homes, an executive officer of the Homeowners Association Board must sign for the entire complex. The request should include written evidence of the Board approval. Those representatives signing for entire apartment buildings, condominiums, or town homes must indicate their title, position, or ownership on the petition (If a traffic study shows that there is no speeding problem then the petition must be signed by persons representing no less than 90% of the developed property). This petition must be submitted to:

City of Northport

Director of Public Works Engineering

P.O. Box 569

Northport, Alabama 35476

1. Once this petition is received the Engineering/Public Works Staff will review the participation of the petition and verify that it meets all of the above requirements.
2. If the petition does meet all of the requirements stated above, then the petition will be reviewed to verify that all of the installation guidelines listed below are satisfied.
3. The Engineering/Public Works Staff will perform a traffic volume and speed study to determine the average daily traffic, average speed, and 85^th percentile speed.
4. The Engineering/Public Works Staff will evaluate the neighborhood connectivity (road layout).
5. The Engineering/Public Works Staff will see if any other solutions may apply.
6. If all of the installation guidelines are satisfied, then the Engineering/Public Works Staff will present the petition and with the results from the Traffic Study to the City Council for action (either approval or disapproval).

INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

1. Speed tables will only be installed on streets that are classified as residential streets (streets that provide access to immediately adjacent residential properties).
2. Speed tables will only be installed on streets with traffic volumes between 500 and 4,000 vehicles per day.
3. Speed tables shall not be installed on street sections with severe vertical or horizontal curves (streets must have a grade less than 8%). Speed table installations shall be visible to oncoming motorist for a minimum of 150 feet.
4. Speed tables shall not be installed on roads striped with more than one through lane in each direction.
5. A minimum of two speed tables is recommended for each installation. Therefore, a study area of at least 600 feet long is required to install at least two speed tables.
6. Speed tables shall not be installed on any street identified as a primary emergency route by any emergency response agency. Speed tables shall not be installed immediately adjacent to a hospital, fire station, or police facility.
7. Speed tables are not to be installed on streets with speed limits greater than thirty five (35) miles per hour.
8. The measured critical 85^th percentile speed (the speed which 15% of all vehicles equal or exceed) shall be greater than 30 miles per hour on streets with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour, 35 miles per hour on streets with a speed limit of 30 miles per hour, and 40 miles per hour on streets with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour.
9. Speed tables shall not be installed in front of driveways, over underground access covers, or adjacent to catch basins or drainage structures.

Only one signature per household will be counted. At least 75% of the residents of the street requested must sign.

Download NEIGHBORHOOD PETITION [PDF File]