Fall 2006

Earlier this year, I drove around inspecting all the roads that surround Lake Somerset. A list was compiled of the roads in need of repair at that time. The list was then sent to Don Figiel, the township supervisor, to be submitted to the county road commission for repair consideration. Later in the year as additional areas were identified as being in need of repair, they were added to the original request and forwarded to Mr. Figiel.

Road repairs are expected to be done in the late August to late September time frame.

Speed Studies:
In response from requests of various Hillsdale County residents six speed studies were completed for Somerset Township by the Traffic Services Unit of the Michigan State Police. All traffic study findings were based on the 85th Percentile Speed.

What is the 85th percentile speed?
If the speeds of all motorists are ranked from the slowest to the fastest, the "85th percentile speed" separates the slower 85% from the fastest 15%.

Why the 85th percentile?
Most motorists travel at about the same speeds, so setting the speed limit at the 85th percentile legalizes the vast majority of motorists.

These speed studies were conducted on the following roads and the findings are:

Northmoor Road (From Somerset Road to Westmoor)
Posted: 45 mph zone
85th Percentile: 46 mph
Shannon Drive (Emerald Dr, to 200feet of Ferris Court)
Posted: 55 mph zone
85th Percentile: 36 mph
South Jackson Road (Harper to US-12)
Posted: 55 mph zone
85th Percentile: 64 mph
Vicary Road (Greenbriar to _ mile E. of Waldron)
Posted: 55 mph zone
85th Percentile: 53 mph
Baker Road (US-12 to Greenridge Drive)
Posted: 55 mph zone
85th Percentile: 45 mph
Jerome Road (Helen Street to Moreland Road)
Posted: 55 mph zone
85th Percentile: 52 mph