Connoquenessing Township to submit Jake brake study to PennDOT
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Some residents of the township are one step closer to having a bit more peace and quiet around Route 422.
The township’s engineer, William Braun of Senate Engineering, has completed a study of the feasibility of placing signs to prohibit engine brake retarders, known as Jake brakes, on a stretch of Route 422 located within the township.
“It looks like it meets all the criteria PennDOT requires to install the signs,” Braun said.
At their monthly meeting on Wednesday evening, April 3, township supervisors granted Braun permission to send the study to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for approval. If granted, the township could place signs prohibiting the use of Jake brakes on a stretch of road.
The signs would be placed along an 850-foot section of Route 422 that passes through the northeast corner of Connoquenessing Township.
“We're going to put up signs. We're just waiting for our township engineer to get us going,” said Larry Spangler, township supervisor. “It’s in his hands now.”
The term Jake brake refers to a type of engine braking mechanism used on heavy diesel trucks, which uses compressed air from the engine to aid in slowing and stopping the vehicle. The name comes from Jacobs Vehicle Systems, one of the companies that pioneered it.
Jake brakes are known for their distinctive noise, which is why some municipalities have ordinances on their books which prohibit them on certain stretches of road.
According to Braun, there are more steps before the signs actually go up. The next step is to send the study to PennDOT so the state agency can approve its merits.
“The only thing they’ve approved is sending it to PennDOT,” Braun said. “They have to first get PennDOT to approve it, and then they (the township supervisors) have to adopt an ordinance, and then they can install the signs.”
Braun estimated that the signs would cost the township between $300 and $400.
