Committee of the Whole Report: Proposed Amendment to Traffic Calming Policy #5200-016
Staff report proposing updates to the 2014 Traffic Calming Policy to include new data collection tools and streamline the neighborhood consensus process.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL
Committee of the Whole Report
TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: April 1, 2021 FROM: J. Smith, Engineering Clerk MEETING DATE: April 13, 2021
Proposed Amendment to Traffic Calming Policy #5200-016
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Traffic Calming Policy #5200-016 be approved with amendments as shown in the Traffic Calming Policy review attached.
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
DIRECTOR OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE COMMENTS:
I concur with the recommendation.
PURPOSE OF REPORT:
To update the Traffic Calming Policy.
BACKGROUND:
A Traffic Calming Policy was developed in 2014 to provide guidance to staff with respect to resident requests for traffic calming measures on their local streets.
DISCUSSION:
Since adoption of the Traffic Calming Policy, staff have received several requests for traffic calming on local streets, and in some cases on collector streets:
- 2016: 9 requests
- 2017: 8 requests
- 2018: 4 requests
- 2019: 9 requests
- 2020: 2 requests
As well, the Town has purchased two traffic calming education tools that have a significant impact on the policy process – a traffic counter and a portable speed reader board. Implementation of these tools within the policy will assist staff to validate concerns, as well as expedite the process for residents.
Attached for reference are two versions of the proposed changes to the Traffic Calming Policy including a copy with highlighted changes and comments (Attachment 1), and the policy presented for consideration (Attachment 2).
The following sections are being proposed for amendment:
Definitions – Have been added for clarification; taken from the Land Use Bylaw (LUB), the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) or industry language, as appropriate.
Section 1.0 Report the Problem (amended) – A Traffic Calming Request Form has been added. As well, this section has been modified to recognize the current data collection program utilizing the Town owned traffic counter.
Section 2.0 Neighbourhood Consensus (deleted) – This section has been removed in its entirety. The intent of this step was to validate the request through neighbourhood consensus and quantified through data captured by the RCMP Volunteer Speed Watch Program. This program requires residents to work with trained volunteers, using the RCMP Speed Watch equipment to capture data. Utilizing the Town owned traffic counter data significantly expedites the process, making this step superfluous.
Section 2.0 Data Collection (amended) – Removing the above noted section will result in data collection becoming the second step in the process. As well, the term Universal Local speed limit has been added to highlight that traffic calming applies to speeds in excess of 5 km above the 50 km speed limit.
Section 3.0 Data Collection Results (added) – added to clarify next steps in the process based on the data results, i.e. if a request is warranted and qualifies for traffic calming it will progress to Stage 1 Traffic Calming (Section 4.0); if data does not meet the qualifications the application will be closed.
Section 4.0 Stage One Traffic Calming (amended) – the intent of Stage One Traffic Calming is to provide educational tools. The original policy referenced a radar speed trailer, however this is a tool the Town be required to rent. The proposed revision instead uses the Town owned speed display sign to educate drivers.
Section 7.0 Funding (amended) – Under the original policy, Stage Two Traffic Calming Measures were to be funded by residents of the immediate area. Under the revised policy, requests that qualify for Stage Two Traffic Calming Measures will be considered a capital project, measured against other projects and priorities. If the funding request is approved, a capital project will be added to the five-year financial plan. This proposed change is a reflection of the current process.
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:
Council approved $10,000 in the 2020-2024 financial plan for staff to implement a traffic calming program, including resources for data collection, analysis and application of Stage One Traffic Calming Measures.
Stage Two Traffic Calming Measures would be capital projects, as they require significant resources including staff time, consultant designs, plans and funding. Once staff have validated the need for these additional measures, a capital budget request would be prepared and submitted to Council for consideration in the five-year financial plan.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION:
THAT Traffic Calming Policy #5200-016 be approved with the changes as shown in the Traffic Calming Policy Update Attachment, with Stage Two Traffic Calming Measures funded as approved on an ad hoc basis through Petition and Delegation applications made directly to Council.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Traffic Calming Policy #5200-016 be approved with amendments as shown in the Traffic Calming Policy review attached.
SUBMITTED BY: J. Smith Engineering Clerk
REVIEWED BY: J. Rosenberg Director of Engineering & Parks
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