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Published Friday, September 05, 2008 in Local

Photo by Jeffrey Leo

A solar-powered radar speed feedback sign has been placed at the LaGrange Street bridge, heading north toward entrances to the new First Avenue and Greenville Street parks. The sign is one of seven installed around Newnan to record traffic data for engineers.

New digital speed signs 'traffic calming devices'

By Elizabeth Richardson

The Times-Herald

Motorists in Newnan may have noticed the sudden appearance in recent days of solar-powered speed limit signs that digitally tell drivers what speed they're traveling.

Those radar speed feedback signs, known to the City of Newnan as traffic calming devices, methodically record data that will hopefully prove beneficial to the city as a whole.

At the end of last year, the Newnan City Council voted to purchase several of these devices to install around the city, according to City Engineer Michael Klahr.

Currently, there are seven signs in Newnan, including three in SummerGrove -- West Hill Drive, High Woods Parkway and Fairway Drive -- and others on Spring Street, West Washington Street, Fourth Street and LaGrange Street.

"We chose these locations based on public input," said Klahr, who decided to focus on problematic areas brought to city representatives' attention by citizens. "We're hoping that some [motorists] will see that sign blinking and realize how fast they're driving."

The signs will record traffic data, including traffic volumes, the high and low speeds, and the 85th percentile -- meaning the standard by which speed limits are set based on the speed that 85 percent of drivers do not exceed.

Klahr plans to collect the data to observe traffic trends throughout the city.

"Then I'll meet with Chief [Buster] Meadows [of the Newnan Police Department], to see what, if anything, we need to do," said Klahr.

Klahr is also working with Meadows to compile a list of data on traffic accidents in the city to see if certain areas are more prone and if additional measures need to be taken.

Newnan travelers will also notice a speed trailer set up this week on Newnan Crossing Boulevard East where the city is attempting to find the 85th percentile in order to set a speed limit for the city's portion of the road.

The radar speed feedback signs will be left up at the current locations for several months, then they will be moved to new locations. If anyone has a complaint or concern on a specific road, they can make a suggestion to Klahr via e-mail, mklahr@cityofnewnan.org .