Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plan

Traffic calming refers to physical features and road designs to:

• reduce vehicular speeds.
• reduce the number and severity of collisions.
• improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.
• improve the quality of the environment.
• potentially reduce traffic volumes.

Examples of traffic calming measures include curb and sidewalk extensions, roundabouts, narrowed roads, raised crosswalks at intersections, pavement markings, flexi-posts or streetscaping.

The Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plan is aligned with the directions, programs and plans outlined in the City’s MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy (MoveSmart). The goal of the project is to:

• update the existing Neighbourhood Traffic Committee Policy and Procedure.
• establish consistency in the design, planning and installation of traffic calming measures through updated and modernized design standards and engineering specifications across the City’s departments.
• develop a toolkit of traffic calming measures best fit for Vaughan​.
• inform a neighbourhood driven and program implementation approach to traffic calming to support road safety and improve mobility for all road users.

These locations were selected based on:

• available data on existing road conditions.
• community and stakeholder feedback.
• co-ordination with existing and planned road projects.
• the presence of varying roadway types, which allows the City to test different traffic calming measures. 
• older communities where calming measures are needed.

The main themes that emerged in Phase 1 include:

• prioritize people walking, cycling and using transit. Streets should be designed with all users in mind and should make all community members feel safe and comfortable regardless of what mode of transportation they use
• equity considerations
• road safety in Vaughan
• community members are supportive of expanding the City’s current toolbox of traffic calming measures and indicated a high degree of support for: speed cushions, speed tables, raised intersections, flexi posts and speed cameras
• there is support for narrowing roadways and intersection to improve road safety for vulnerable road users
• traffic calming measures which are more familiar to residents (such as speed cushions, sidewalks, raised crossings and dynamic speed signs) have a higher degree of support
• community members believe improving traffic flow on Regional roads will help reduce many of the concerns on local streets
• community members and key stakeholders would like to see a clear and structured process for addressing traffic concerns, and guidance for the planning, design, implementation and maintenance of traffic calming measures. Within this guidance, it is critical there is consideration for how traffic calming measures may impact vehicles and services (e.g. emergency service vehicles, transit) and provide solutions for resolving major issues
• the City should focus on “quick win” implementations to reduce delays in the process for implementing traffic calming measures, especially on streets with greater traffic issues. Overall, people are excited and supportive of the upcoming pilot projects and want to see a more streamlined process for installing traffic calming measures
• education is an important factor in the success of this project – many people don’t know how to properly interact with some traffic calming measures and other road users, which creates confusion and discomfort
• some residents do not want to see any traffic calming measures. Approximately 12 to 15 per cent of survey respondents indicated that all measures are “not a priority.” The project team is aware of the role these voices play in future discussions, but overall response data shows that they are a minority within the City

This feedback helped provide a foundation for Phases 2 and 3.

Based on the feedback received during Phase 1, a number of elements have been included in the upcoming phases of this project.

Key elements of the project that have been impacted by your feedback include:

• Applying a neighbourhood-level approach in how traffic calming requests are evaluated, prioritized, funded and implemented.
• Best practice designs and proven effective countermeasures within the toolkit. Criteria for implementation and enhanced tools for monitoring effectiveness will be included in the recommendations to support the City in modifying designs as the project moves forward.
• The approach to preliminary screening, enhanced data collection and quick-build projects through a series of pilot projects in each ward. Tools like planter boxes, edge lines, four-season bollards and directional intersection closures have been added to the toolbox.
• Developing communications materials to emphasize the importance of designing for safe speeds instead of relying on enforcement
• Evaluating speed cushions as a new tool to better accommodate emergency services.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of quick build measures within each ward in Vaughan based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative metrics.

During Phases 2 and 3, we will refine the policies and procedures related to traffic calming. We will also refine the use of existing tools, such as flexi-posts and pavement markings, and introduce new tools, such as temporary speed cushions and roadside signage.

The City’s Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Policy and Procedures has been in place since 2010. A background review of evidence-informed policies and best practices has been conducted to inform the revised document, which includes policy directions and process improvement opportunities, such as: 

• consideration of neighbourhood areas when assessing opportunities to implement traffic calming measures.
• establish guidelines for addressing traffic calming concerns and speed management in new developments.
• enhance public and stakeholder engagement during the traffic calming review and assessment process.
• expand tools to support implementation of traffic calming measures (quick-build measures that can provide a higher degree of flexibility without requiring expensive road construction).
• introduce a score-based prioritization tool for the City to assess traffic calming requests.
• introduce a city-wide prioritization of requests that optimize existing resources and funding allocation.
• streamline process of reviewing, assessing and implementing traffic calming measures.
• update policies and design standards consistent with national guidelines (Canadian Guide to Neighbourhood Traffic Calming).

The pilot neighbourhoods will allow us to:

• apply and test proposed changes to traffic calming procedures (including a pre-screening approach and scoring tool)
• apply new approaches to data collection
• refine guidelines and standards for existing tools
• apply and test new ways of engaging the community
• apply year-round installations
• monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the measures
• test new designs or technologies applied in other municipalities

Examples of quick build measures could include:

• boulevard streetscaping enhancements.
• enhanced radar message boards.
• new flexi-post designs in school zones.
• new pavement markings in school zones and 40 kilometre per hour neighbourhoods.
• temporary road narrowing with pavement markings and/or bollards.
• temporary rubber speed cushions.
• temporary curb extensions.

The pilot measures will be installed in late summer to early fall 2023 and will be monitored and evaluated into spring 2024. Data collection will be undertaken throughout the pilot to assess the effectiveness and evaluate community support for temporary measures. Decisions to extend these measures beyond the pilot project will be based on results, community feedback and available budget.

We will continue to consult with the community and key stakeholders as the policies, procedures and toolbox are tested and refined through the pilot projects. Traffic calming guidelines will be refined and/or developed based on national best practice standards for measures that will be included in Vaughan’s new traffic calming toolbox.

Even if a community was not selected for the pilot project during Phase 1, the City will still review the area to assess its eligibility for traffic calming measures. City staff will conduct various activities, such as data collection, network screening, and site observation, to gather relevant information. Based on this evaluation, a determination will be made regarding the neighbourhood’s eligibility for traffic calming measures beyond the scope of the Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plan.