Falls Twp. Approves Comprehensive School Zone Safety Study

Engineers are set to begin a comprehensive review of all school zones throughout Falls Township to be sure they meet modern safety standards.

The Falls Township Board of Supervisors last month authorized a contract with Remington and Vernick Engineers to conduct a detailed analysis of the municipality’s school zones.

The study, which carries a cost not to exceed $19,250, will involve the collection of measurements, photographs, and video footage of existing crossings, signage, and pavement markings.

Township Manager John Shepherd said the work is needed because the existing school zones were established at different times under varying regulations.

“We have a lot of different school zones and they’ve been developed over the years with different regulations,” Shepherd said. “This will do an analysis of every one of our school zones and it’s going to make standard recommendations.”

The project looks to create a uniform system by developing three to four template plans.

The templates will be tailored to specific variables, including traffic volume and location, and then applied township-wide to ensure all zones meet current safety requirements, officials said.

“We’re going to probably come up with like three or four different plans for school zones depending on the type of traffic there is, the location,” Shepherd said. “We’ll be able to then use those templates and use them at different locations.”

The police department has identified concerns regarding the configuration of several existing school zones.

Supervisor Brian Galloway, who lives near a school zone, spoke in favor of the study being undertaken.

Galloway noted there have been improvements he has already witnessed resulting from the township’s recent safety efforts by Oxford Valley Elementary School.

Shepherd said the township will explore grant opportunities to potentially offset the expense on the survey.

The data collection and analysis phase is expected to take place over the coming three months.