A recent traffic speed study conducted along West Monument Avenue in Hatboro found that most drivers are traveling within the posted speed limit despite a noticeable increase in traffic in the area.
The study, conducted by the Hatboro Police Department, analyzed vehicle speeds between Feb. 6 and Feb. 12, 2026. Officials say traffic volumes have risen along the roadway due to the closure of the nearby Moreland Avenue Bridge, which has diverted additional vehicles through the area.
Eastbound traffic data
During the study period, 12,817 vehicles were recorded traveling eastbound on West Monument Avenue.
Key findings include:
Average speed: 22.4 mph
85th percentile speed: 27.0 mph
50th percentile speed: 22.0 mph
Highest recorded speed: 47 mph on Feb. 8 at 5:14 p.m.
Vehicles exceeding 36 mph: 0.4%
Westbound traffic data
A total of 18,872 vehicles were recorded traveling westbound.
Key findings include:
Average speed: 22.0 mph
85th percentile speed: 26.0 mph
50th percentile speed: 22.0 mph
Highest recorded speed: 48 mph on Feb. 11 at 7:54 a.m.
Vehicles exceeding 36 mph: 0.7%
Officials noted that under Pennsylvania law, municipal police cannot use speed timing devices to enforce speeding violations unless a vehicle is traveling at least 11 mph over the posted speed limit.
Transportation agencies, including Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, commonly use the 85th percentile speed to evaluate whether a roadway’s posted speed limit is appropriate. This measurement represents the speed at or below which 85% of vehicles are traveling.
With an 85th percentile speed of 27 mph eastbound and 26 mph westbound, both results fall close to the roadway’s 25 mph posted speed limit.
Based on the data collected, police concluded that speeding is not a significant issue on this section of West Monument Avenue, even as traffic volumes have increased due to the nearby bridge closure.
