State may place speed radar displays near four schools
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer
Four school areas are being considered as sites for the state's experimental speed radar displays, which tell drivers how fast they're going as they approach.
Photo courtesy of the State Department of Transportation
The devices, which the state hopes to install by the end of the year, would be placed on signposts directly below the speed limit signs. Two devices would be placed at each location, one facing each site.
Speed radar displays like this one are being considered for four areas.
Department spokeswoman Marilyn Kali said the four sites being considered are: Farrington Highway near Wai'anae High and Intermediate schools; Kalihi Street near Kalihi-Kai Elementary and Kalakaua Intermediate schools; Salt Lake Boulevard near Radford High and Makalapa Elementary schools; and Kane'ohe Bay Drive near Castle High School.
The proposal been sent to a community pedestrian task force for approval, Kali said. All four sites selected are either along a highway or four-lane road, or along a road that connects with a highway.
The state and Honolulu police have periodically located portable speed displays near dangerous traffic areas, but those devices are cumbersome and sometimes have to be placed in large, open spaces.
State transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali said the project will be put out to bid next month. State crews tested a rough prototype of the proposed device on Likelike Highway last week.
Kalihi-Kai Elementary principal Stanley Kayatani said he thinks the speed display signs are a good idea.
"There's a lot of traffic along Kalihi Street and Dillingham Boulevard with a lot of crosswalks," Kayatani said. "Sometimes people don't realize how fast they're going."
The speed displays would cost about $4,000 each for those powered by electricity, and $7,000 each for those using solar power. About $80,000 of federal money will pay for the project.
Scott Ishikawa covers transportation issues. You can reach him at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.
