Arcadia police are using SMART, or Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer, to educate residents into "voluntary compliance" with posted speeds. Placed at various locations, the trailers have a changeable sign for legal speed limits and an electronic readout of the actual speed of each car that whizzes by. The device can read speeds from about 1/4 mile away.
Citizens responded negatively to a request by the Santa Anita Oaks Homeowners Association to close several streets north of Foothill Boulevard, and to the introduction of an ordinance raising posted speed limits.
Controversial traffic barrier on San Carlos at Orange Grove Avenue apparently wasn't as useful in reducing speed on San Carlos as has been the installation of stop signs at the intersections of San Carlos with Oaklawn Place and Hacienda Drive.
Posted speed limits on most of Arcadia's main streets will be raised, making the speeds more realistic according to prevailing road conditions and travel patterns.
Speed limits on 17 Arcadia streets will be going up by five miles per hour as a result of a recent study conducted by the police department and public works.
A "temporary" barricade installed four years ago at San Carlos Road will be removed for a six-month trial. Decision reached by City Council after lengthy discussion.