COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT - 30km/h Speed Limit Review

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT

TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: April 3, 2018 FROM: Kevin Bowbyes, Dep. Director of Engineering MEETING DATE: April 10, 2018

30km/h Speed Limit Review

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Committee receive this report for information.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS: I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To provide information on the impacts of reducing the speed limit to 30km/h to more areas in the municipality.

BACKGROUND:

Over the years, the Town has added several 30 km/h zones for various reasons other than school zones throughout municipality. In an attempt to establish criteria around speeding concerns, a traffic calming policy was adopted in 2014. To date, citizens have chosen to address Council directly rather than follow the requirements adopted in the traffic calming policy.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

The Committee asked that staff provide a map to Council of the 30km/h speed limit areas within the Town. Engineering staff collected 30km/h sign locations and developed a map indicating the locations of all the 30km/h signage, including playground ahead and school zone signage. The map highlights 30km/h and 40km/h speed zones.

Not all streets are suitable for a 30 km/h speed limit. An unsuitable speed limit could result in widespread disregard or non-compliance by motorists. If implemented, enforcement would become an issue as the Town does not have the resources to undertake this task.

A general principle to lowering speeds to 30 km/h is to only consider the reduction for “local” designated roads. There are however currently two exceptions that are classified as “collector” roads:

• Atkins Rd- which contains speed humps as a speed reduction measure.
• Highland Rd- which contains speed humps and the installation of 3-way stop signs at “T’ intersections

These roads are designed to distribute traffic between local roads and arterial roads and function to efficiently move traffic to their destination. Although traffic calming measures have been implemented the travelling speeds of the vehicles on these roads exceeds 30 km/h, however the intent to reduce speeds has been effective as the majority of vehicles travel at a reasonable speed of 40 km/h

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

The cost associated with the changing out the existing signage or the addition of 30km/h speed limit signage, if warranted, will be based on how many new signs and poles will be required for each location. The cost of manufacturing and installing one sign is approximately $350.00

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Committee receive this report for information

SUBMITTED BY: Kevin Bowbyes, Deputy Director of Engineering

REVIEWED BY: John Rosenberg, Director of Engineering