MAHANOY CITY - The state Department of Transportation approved an engine brake retarder restriction in Mahanoy Township, but the outgoing supervisor is not in favor of the restriction.
The subject was discussed at length during the supervisor's meeting Dec. 19, with Supervisor Timothy Bradbury voicing his opposition on the grounds that safety could be compromised if truck drivers could not use the devices when needed.
The engine brake retarder, usually referred to as a "Jake brake" or "Jacobs engine brake," is a compression release braking system on large diesel trucks for additional braking power beyond the normal braking system. While effective, the braking system makes a great deal of noise when operating.
The PennDOT approval is for Route 54 from the village of Coles to the west end of the Mahanoy City municipal line with the township. The section of highway goes past the township municipal building.
"We will be getting the permit for the Jake brake restriction out here, and we will have to pass an ordinance," supervisor Chairman James Stevens said. "The state (PennDOT) did the study and said we could do it. We'd have to put the signs up when the weather breaks and then our officers will be able to enforce it."
"They (truck drivers) are waking up the people down here," supervisor Vice Chairman Sharon Chiao said, referring to the area west of the borough.
Stevens added that a request was made for a Jake brake study along the Morea Road, though the township has received nothing on a study or determination.
"PennDOT said that the way the hill is, there is no need for the trucks to use them," Stevens said.
According to information provided by PennDOT, the following criteria for engine brake retarder prohibition are to be considered:
Roadway features
- Downhill grade does not exceed four percent for a distance of 500 feet or more.
- Roadway is not posted with a reduced speed limit for trucks due to a hazardous grade determination.
- Roadway is not posted with a reduced gear zone.
- Posted speed limit, or 85th percentile speed, is not 55 miles per hour or more.
- Roadway is not limited access.
- Roadway is not a ramp exiting from a highway with a posted speed, or 85th percentile speed, of 55 miles per hour or greater.
Crash History
- No history of runaway truck crashes in the past three years.
- No discernible pattern of rear-end crashes in the past three years where a truck was the striking vehicle.
The issue of noise versus safety was also discussed concerning the Jake brake restriction.
"It is a state highway so it's their (PennDOT) decision," Chiao said. "A couple of years ago, we asked about it and they refused it at that time."
"Coming from the patch (Coles) and going over the hill from the bridge, you need it," said Bradbury, who is a former truck driver.
To support his stance on the Jake brake restriction, Stevens countered that the no-cost study by PennDOT was feasible.
"And who's going to be responsible when a truck smashes into something where the Jake brake can't be used?" Bradbury asked.
"I'm sure in an incident where they have to use it, it will be no problem for them to use it," Stevens said.
"Jake brakes restrictions are because of the noise, but there are exceptions, such as people in truck school or the oversize loads," Patrolman Brandon Alexander said.
"I think the state is telling us that the trucks shouldn't be going so fast that they have to use the Jake brakes," Chiao said.
"It's not the fact of going fast," Bradbury said. "It's a matter of safety. I'm telling you that you're doing something wrong. They need those brakes."
Alexander spoke of a recent incident of a truck driver going slow about 10 p.m. using the Jake brakes for no discernible reason but creating a noise problem. He stopped the truck for other violations and warned the driver about what he was doing with the Jake breaks and left him with a warning.
"He was coming from the dollar store (Dollar General) and he would use them, then go a short distance, then use them again," Alexander said. "He was just using them to be a pain."
Stevens said they would look into the issue further before voting on the ordinance.
"Truck drivers need that extra protection. We have all those trucks from the coal companies going past," Bradbury said.
"We're not doing anything against the coal companies," Chiao said.
"In fact, it's the not coal trucks that are the problem," said Bradbury. "From what I've seen, it's the 18-wheelers coming through here, not the coal trucks."
Bradbury said he is not completely against a restriction, but the safety issue concerned him since the entrance road to the Mahanoy Area campus at along that stretch of highway.
Alexander said that even if there is a restriction, it does not prevent truck drivers from using the Jake brakes if they deem they are needed.
"No one is ever going to be cited if the brakes are being used in case of an emergency," Chiao said.
Resident Faith Ward, who will replace Bradbury on the board of supervisors in January, also expressed concern about restrictions but asked if the restrictions could be applied during certain times of the day.
Township solicitor Eric Lieberman said nothing would be enacted at the meeting.
"Bottom line, we don't have anything drafted for tonight, so there can't be any vote on it," Lieberman said.