What is traffic calming?

    Traffic calming is the use of measures that aim to alter driver behaviour and improve safety for all road users. Traffic calming may help to reduce speeds, the amount of non-local traffic that passes through a neighbourhood, collision severity and frequency, and the negative effects of motor vehicle use on non-motorized users.

    The City’s Traffic Calming Program focuses on improving safety and livability within the city through the application of appropriate traffic calming measures on Local and Collector roads. This aligns with the City’s Envision Municipal Plan emphasizing the importance of a complete approach with a safe and well-maintained street network for all users.

    What is the process for traffic calming in the current policy?

    The below process flow diagram explains the steps in the traffic calming process. 

    Which roads can be requested for traffic calming?

    The City's Traffic Calming Policy pertains to roads falling under the Local and Collector category, so only those streets are eligible for traffic calming requests. Roads under the Arterial category, which are intended to move high volumes of traffic, are excluded from traffic calming requests. The installation of restrictive measures on an Arterial street would likely shift traffic onto lower order roads and into neighbourhoods.

    What roads are potentially eligible for traffic calming?

    The roads that have issues with speeding and high traffic volume are potentially eligible for traffic calming. Also, lack of active sidewalks and belonging to high pedestrian generating areas (schools, parks, etc.) make the location more likely to be eligible for traffic calming. All these factors are reflected in the scoring system. Due to the negative impact of traffic calming on emergency and transit vehicles, streets which belong to emergency response routes and transit routes are negatively weighted (i.e., scored to have low priority) in the current policy.

    What are typical traffic calming measures?


    The following are the common traffic calming measures:

    •Horizontal Deflection: Curb extensions, mini roundabouts, raised median islands, curb extensions, chicanes

    •Vertical Deflection: Speed humps/tables/cushions, raised crosswalks, raised intersections

    •Obstruction / Closure: Directional closures, right-in/right-out islands, raised medians, intersection channelization



    Are there any drawbacks to traffic calming?

    Some traffic calming measures may cause minimal delays to emergency response times and cause discomfort to victims requiring emergency attention. Transit service may also experience minimal delays due to traffic calming measures. It should also be noted that during the winter season, snow removal operations may be somewhat delayed due to the additional time required to clear snow around the traffic calming measures.

    Is there any specific program that covers the project cost?

    Currently, the City has a Traffic Calming Program with allocated funds of $50,000 annually.  However, when a street that qualifies for traffic calming is incorporated within that street’s rehabilitation project, the project cost is covered by the rehabilitation budget instead.

    What is the current re-evaluation time frame for a street to be reviewed for traffic calming?

    There is currently a two-year timeframe before a street segment previously reviewed but not approved is re-assessed. That means, if a project is not eligible for traffic calming or was not implemented due to lack of sufficient public support, then the earliest it can be evaluated is 2 years from the previous evaluation. 

    How is the public involved in their street's traffic calming?

    The public is involved through paper-based surveys distributed to the affected areas during the planning and implementation stage of new traffic calming projects.

    What is "vpd"?

    "Vpd" means the number of vehicles per day on a given street or segment.

    What is "non-local traffic"?

    "Non-local traffic" is defined as short-cutting traffic passing through a neighbourhood.