Lacey committee weighs radar speed signs and a policy to prioritize installation

Lacey Township officials discussed a proposal to expand radar speed signs across the township after residents raised speeding concerns on feeder roads.

Staff reported a wide price range for permanent solar radar signs—from roughly $4,000 for the most basic units to as much as $20,000 for high-end models—and said the mayor asked staff to produce options and potential policy criteria. Committee members suggested restricting installations to main feeder roads with traffic signals to avoid proliferating signs on every residential street.

Deputy Mayor Laray and other members said a sensible policy would prioritize streets with higher speeds and ensure signs dovetail with enforcement. The police department’s portable trailer sign, which can collect speed and traffic-count data, was noted as an existing resource; the committee said staff should confirm what historical data are available and whether residents can request access through an OPRA request.

There was general committee support for further study and a draft policy that addresses placement rules, data-collection subscriptions and coordination with Ocean County for county roads.

Next steps: staff to gather formal price quotes and recommend placement criteria and a draft policy for the committee’s future consideration.