Frequently Asked Questions

New Haven was recently awarded city-wide implementation of quick build or “tactical urbanism” projects using low-cost materials. The Quick Build methodology is a way of delivering transportation infrastructure improvements to streets and public spaces made with resident participation in a relatively inexpensive, more inclusive, and faster manner than typical capital projects. Temporary projects deliver results faster than permanent capital projects, and allow communities to evaluate how effectively they function before larger and more costly investments are made in long-term infrastructure.

Speed limits traditionally assume drivers follow speed laws, but drivers often rely on context cues instead. New Haven’s speed management strategies change specific road designs in key locations to better provide these cues for safe driving.

Most streets within New Haven are subject to a 25-mph speed limit. The City ordinance states that no vehicle shall exceed 25-mph on any street, highway, or bridge within the municipal limits, unless a different speed limit is posted. Arterial roadways Ella T Grasso Boulevard, Derby Avenue (Route 34), Middletown Avenue, MLK Boulevard and State Street (U.S. Route 5) have a 35-mph speed limit, while Long Wharf Drive has a 30-mph speed limit.

Speed limits are generally determined based on various factors to ensure they are reasonable, enforceable, and appropriate for the surrounding environment. The goal is to set limits that are respected by drivers and that ensure safety for all road users. Key factors influencing this decision include roadway design, pavement conditions, traffic volumes, land use, and the presence of pedestrians and cyclists.

While lowering speed limits is one way to improve safety, it isn’t always sufficient on its own. A more comprehensive approach is often needed, which includes speed management tools such as traffic calming measures, signage, enforcement, and engineering changes to make streets safer. Speed limits alone can’t account for the dynamic conditions drivers face, such as weather, traffic, and potential hazards.

Ultimately, the goal is not just to lower speeds but to encourage safer driving behaviors through a combination of strategies, including speed management tools that help reduce speeds where needed.

Traffic enforcement plays a crucial role in promoting safe driving behavior and ensuring compliance with speed limits and other traffic laws. While a well-chosen speed limit should ideally be self-enforcing, effective enforcement is often necessary to guarantee compliance. Traditional methods, such as police patrols and manual ticketing remain important, but the city is also moving forward with the establishment of automated traffic enforcement cameras (ATESD) to complement these efforts. This decision follows a decade-long push for enabling legislation, with New Haven being one of the first cities in the state to adopt such a measure. With final approval expected from the state Department of Transportation, this initiative represents a significant step forward in enhancing traffic enforcement.

In 2008, FHWA began promoting infrastructure-oriented safety treatments and strategies, chosen based on proven effectiveness and benefits, to encourage widespread implementation by state and local transportation agencies to reduce serious injuries and fatalities. The effort evolved into the Proven Safety Countermeasures initiative which, as of today, has yielded a collection of 28 countermeasures and strategies that are indeed effective at reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries. These countermeasures and strategies are designed for all road users and all kinds of roads and were selected based on proven, reliable research that demonstrates their effectiveness or cost-effectiveness when applied in urban areas.

Not all speed management tools can be used on emergency and bus routes, but some can. For example, speed cushions with wheel cutouts allow larger and emergency vehicles to pass through without obstruction.

Speed management tools can not only reduce speeds but also may also ease congestion, such as roundabouts. New Haven commuters might face slightly longer commutes, but this is balanced by the increased safety and comfort for all road users.

Success will be measured by comparing crash data from before and after speed management tool implementation. This data will focus on the number of total crashes, the number of pedestrian/bicycle crashes, and the severity of these crashes with sub-tabulations for equity areas.