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Huntersville considers speed humps and centerline striping on Devonshire Drive and Cockerham Lane after speed study
Summary
Town staff presented a traffic‑calming study showing 80th‑percentile speeds above policy thresholds on Devonshire Drive (34 mph) and Cockerham Lane (31 mph) and proposed either additional speed humps or centerline striping for Devonshire and a speed hump for Cockerham.
A town traffic study presented at the May 20 Huntersville Town Board meeting found that the 80th‑percentile travel speed on Devonshire Drive was 34 mph and on Cockerham Lane 31 mph, exceeding the thresholds that trigger physical calming measures.
Staff described the traffic‑calming process under the town policy: an HOA requests a study, staff measures the 80th‑percentile speed, the community conducts an awareness campaign and staff deploys Type‑1 measures (increased police presence, temporary speed‑feedback signs). If speeds do not fall, the policy proceeds to Type‑2 measures—physical changes such as speed humps or striping.
For Devonshire Drive staff proposed two options: adding two additional speed humps to bring spacing closer to the preferred 300–500 feet, or striping a center line from Stonemount around the curve to create a visual lane that can slow drivers. Staff said portions of Devonshire are about 30–31 feet wide and would not eliminate on‑street parking in the area under consideration because no homes front that section; where streets are narrower, striping could require parking restrictions to preserve a 12‑foot emergency clearance.
For Cockerham Lane staff recommended one speed hump located about 200 feet north of Oxbridge Lane at the sag point of the road, where driveways would not be impacted. The presenter said the community preference was to use speed humps consistent with existing neighborhood features and that, if approved, work could likely occur this summer with installation in a 2–3 month public‑works window.
Commissioners and residents raised safety concerns about a narrow sidewalk on the bridge over a creek near the Birkdale Pool, noting that families and young cyclists use that path and sometimes ride in the street. A board member asked the police to include the streets on their traffic‑watch list while the town evaluates permanent measures; the police representative agreed to add the locations to the watch list and use flashing speed signs as an interim tool.
No final board action to install physical measures was taken at the May 20 public hearing; staff will return with design details and an implementation schedule if the board advances the project.
