From left, Connoquenessing Township supervisors Angela Fleeger, Lawrence Spangler, and Rick Kradel deliberate at a board of supervisors meeting on Wednesday night, March 6. William Pitts/Butler Eagle.

CONNOQUENESSING TWP — The township supervisors on Wednesday, March 6, approved a study on whether or not to place signs to prohibit engine braking on a section of Route 422 within Connoquenessing Township.

The study would be conducted by the township’s engineering firm, Senate Engineering Company, according to standards set by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

“There are specific criteria that PennDOT requires in terms of a study that has to be prepared and submitted by the engineer,” said township solicitor Andrew Menchyk. “So if the sign is warranted, then the supervisors could request permission from PennDOT to place that sign.”

According to township engineer William Braun, it would cost Senate Engineering about $1,800 to perform the study.

“Jake” brakes, also known as “engine brake retarders,” are a type of type of braking mechanism found on heavy diesel trucks that use compressed air from the engine to aid in slowing and stopping the vehicle. It gains its nickname from Jacobs Vehicle Systems, one of the companies that pioneered it.

Jake brakes are known for their distinctive and loud noise — so loud, in fact, that municipalities prohibit engine retarder brakes on certain stretches of road.

The board of supervisors also voted to take down a sign on Eagle Mill Road prohibiting engine brake use that wasn’t placed with the help of a PennDOT-approved study and did not conform to PennDOT standards.

“I had our engineer look into it. The sign is not up to state standards,” supervisor Ricky Kradel said. “The proper tests to see if it worked weren’t done. We have to follow state guidelines to put them in.”

Menchyk said he isn’t sure who put the sign up in the first place.