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Speed studies in Bellemeade Circle show low sustained speeding; police recommend enforcement and education
Summary
Two short radar studies in the Bellemeade Circle neighborhood recorded average speeds around 18 mph in a 25 mph zone with a small fraction of vehicles exceeding the limit; staff recommended targeted enforcement, signage and ongoing monitoring rather than traffic calming devices.
Belmont police and public works staff reported the results of two short radar speed studies of Bellemeade Circle on July 7 and recommended education and targeted enforcement in lieu of installing traffic calming devices.
According to police, a May 27–June 3 deployment recorded 4,971 vehicle passes with an average speed of about 18 mph (posted limit 25 mph) and fewer than 1% of vehicles traveling more than five mph over the limit. A second study, June 3–9 at a nearby location, recorded 3,007 vehicle passes with an average speed of about 18 mph and about 6% of vehicles traveling more than five mph over the limit — both percentages under the city’s 15% threshold for traffic calming device consideration.
Chief Paul (identified in the meeting as "Chief Paul") told council the traffic unit will continue targeted enforcement (radar assignments) and complete supplemental studies as needed, and staff are coordinating to place two or three neighborhood speed limit signs for education. The traffic unit recommended no further consideration for traffic calming devices unless otherwise directed by council.
Why it matters: The studies found that overall speeds were below thresholds requiring physical traffic calming under city policy; staff recommended patrol enforcement and outreach measures as the next steps. Council treated the item as informational and took no formal action.
The report will be monitored and staff said additional signage and enforcement will be implemented as needed.
