East Highlands residents will be surveyed in July to help the State College Borough decide the next step in its plan to slow area traffic.

The "traffic-calming plan," introduced earlier this month, was developed in response to the concerns of Prospect Avenue residents, and calls for the installation of speed humps and transverse pavement markings between Easterly Parkway, East Beaver Avenue, University Drive and Pugh Street.

Public Works Director Mark Whitfield said he expects the plan to reduce speeds from an average of 35 mph to between 20 and 25 mph, which is the posted speed limit.

The total cost for the project would be about $15,000, Whitfield said.

Transverse pavement markings are thermoplastic, built onto pavement, and have a similar effect as rumble strips, Whitfield said. Speed humps have a gradual three-inch incline that force traffic to slow down.

"It'll catch people's attention," Whitfield said. "The whole goal is to slow people down."

The first study conducted by the borough investigated speed on Garner Street, Prospect Avenue and Hamilton Avenue.

Garner Street was the study's main focus because there have been many accidents at Garner Street and Prospect Avenue in the last three years.

The result of the current survey will be presented to council in early September before the plan is voted on.

If approved by council, the speed humps and pavement markings will be in place by the end of October, Whitfield said.

"The most important thing now is getting input from the neighborhood, which includes fraternities and apartments," said Whitfield.

Borough council member Elizabeth Goreham said the plan is in the best interest of all residents.

"We all live together," Goreham said. "Over 60 accidents have occurred on Garner."

Highlands Civic Association President Bob Seibel said the plan is aimed at slowing residents and "cut through" traffic from vehicles that did not originate within the neighborhood.

"We find too many people jump to the conclusion that [the plan is] aimed at students," Seibel said. "It's mainly older people."

Whitfield said road-engineering studies indicate that most traffic would continue to use those streets after the placement of speed humps.

"We will not know for sure until it is studied after placement," Whitfield said.

Kyle Kassel (senior-agribusiness management) lives near the area and thinks the plan will help improve driving conditions in the area.

"There's definitely a lot of speeding," Kassel said. "It's a good idea. It'll slow down traffic."