Speed-Hump Experiment Debuts in Upper Moreland

During the four years that has run the , he received so many complaints about motorists speeding down neighborhood streets that he decided to try something new to control the problem.

In 2009, Nestel applied for a federal grant to help the situation. To qualify, the police department had to work with an academic partner and provide “evidence-based studies” to support their trial program.

The enterprising police chief, who manages a department of 37 police officers, teamed up with the University of Pennsylvania’s Criminology Department.

Carla Cue, a young doctoral student originally from Texas, “worked with us to reduce speeding in various neighborhoods,” Nestel said.

They began by installing speed humps—humps not bumps—in selected neighborhoods near main roadways.

The humps will remain in place for two weeks while sensors detect traffic motion.

Greyhorse Road is the first of four roads to have the humps installed.

“Anywhere people see a straight-away without stop signs,” resident Scott Sherman of Cowbell Road said, “they think it’s the Atco Speedway.”

Not anymore.

The Upper Moreland Public Works Department placed two sets of humps on Greyhorse Road, putting the brakes on motorists inclined to zoom through the quiet neighborhood with its dog-walkers, joggers, couples strolling after dinner, a house cat or two sauntering across the street, and dozens of bike-riding or ball-playing children.

Sensors installed before and after the humps record motorists' speed before and after they drive over the humps, which differ from bumps in their design.

“The difference,” Nestel said, “lies in the height and spread of the device. Bumps have a higher profile, but are narrower, while humps are lower, but longer.” (See photos.)

Statistics will also reveal whether “volume is increasing on parallel streets” to avoid the humps, Nestel said. The Greyhorse humps may be avoided by traveling on Greenwood Street.

After this portion of the traffic study is complete, the humps, which are nailed down and can be pried up in case of snow, will then make their way to three other locations in the township: Corinthian or Newton, Church or Division, and Division or Nash.

“We pick streets that lead into major roadways. Greyhorse leads into Terwood Road,” he said.

According to Nestel, the speed humps will help to control the guilty speeders, who, despite what many may think, aren't just teens cruising around.

“The majority of speeders are the residents,” Nestel said. “We don’t have a higher percentage among young people.”

A “Bump” sign and bright yellow stripes warn motorists of what lies ahead on Greyhorse Road.

Jenkintown and Bryn Athyn have permanent speed humps, noted Nestel.  

Will Upper Moreland go the way of these other towns? Nestel thinks it's a possibility.

“It will depend on the outcome of the study, the will of the people, and the costs associated with such an intervention,” Nestel said.

Joyce and Frank Delaney, whose corner house lies directly next to the speed humps, are delighted with the experimental program.

They remember Cue and a police officer knocking on their door, explaining the project and giving them a survey to fill out.

“We love the speed bumps,” said Joyce. “The traffic has slowed down quite a bit. There are five children who live across the street, six next door, and we have two.”

She and her husband particularly like the humps “because our son is autistic and if he would ever run out into the street, the cars would have a greater reaction time.”

On the other hand, Helen Kirschner from Gwynedd Valley was visiting a friend on Cowbell when she saw the “Bump” sign.

“Oh darn,” she thought as she approached them in her Honda. “Where did these come from? Now I’ve gotta slow down.”

Upper Moreland residents can sign up for public safety messages from Chief Nestel about traffic and other township concerns here.