TRENTON, N.J. – Municipalities and counties across New Jersey could soon have more authority to install speed humps and other traffic-calming measures on local roads under a bill advanced by the Senate Transportation Committee.
The legislation, Assembly Bill 2316, approved on November 10, would permit local governments to construct flat-topped speed humps—commonly known as speed tables—without needing prior approval from the state Department of Transportation (DOT). The change is designed to help communities more quickly respond to speeding concerns and improve safety near homes and schools.
Under the measure, municipalities and counties could build speed tables on one-way and two-lane residential streets that carry fewer than 4,000 vehicles per day and have posted speed limits of 30 miles per hour or less. The bill also allows construction of such devices when roadwork or repairs occur within 500 feet of a school or property used for school purposes.
Local authorities would still be required to notify neighboring municipalities or counties if a planned installation could affect connecting roadways. DOT approval would continue to be required only when traffic-calming projects might impact state highways.
The legislation expands on a 2004 state law that required state oversight for most local speed hump projects but allows more flexibility for low-traffic residential roads. Lawmakers said the change would make it easier for towns to improve safety in neighborhoods where residents frequently report speeding.
Assembly Bill 2316 is identical to Senate Bill 3968, which also cleared the committee on the same date.