Driving into the fifth year of MoveSmart

Significant progress on this vital strategy is improving road safety in Vaughan 

The City of Vaughan’s MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy continues to transform Vaughan’s transportation system, tackling speed in our communities with a dual approach. With a focus on speed management and advanced data-tracking methods, the City is improving road safety and advancing active and sustainable travel initiatives to help meet existing and evolving transportation needs.

Entering its fifth year, MoveSmart projects are making significant progress, with the City having advanced 25 of the 29 initiatives! 

Here is an overview of some of the projects completed or underway, and the next steps the City will take in 2025:

Road Safety Program

The Road Safety Program is designed to increase road safety and raise public awareness to keep Vaughan’s streets safe, using data and proven statistical procedures to identify opportunities. Elements of the program include: 

• Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plan: The City reformed the Neighbourhood Area Traffic Calming Policy by modernizing and standardizing the implementation of traffic calming measures. This update included a condition assessment of traffic calming assets, research of best practices, a comprehensive engagement program, a pilot program, new policies, procedures, toolbox, guidelines and standards. The findings informed updates to Vaughan’s traffic calming policies, engineering standards and guidelines, embedding safety considerations into new developments and ensuring equitable improvements across the city.
• Automated Speed Enforcement: The City launched 10 speed cameras (two per ward) in April 2025, following a soft launch in October 2024. The camera locations were selected using a data-driven approach to identify areas where speeding is of concern, prioritizing sites based on overall traffic volume, collision history and the presence of schools, parks, community centres, libraries, sidewalks and/or cycling facilities. City staff will report on the program’s status in 2026, using the data collected to inform future traffic management decisions.
• Corridor Reviews: The City began two In-Road Safety Corridor Reviews at Huntington Road and Martin Grove Road to analyze existing conditions and identify opportunities for ongoing transportation improvements. These reviews will identify road safety opportunities for those who walk, cycle, take transit or drive within each area.
• 30 km/h Community Safety Zones: A comprehensive public consultation and policy review is underway to assess public and stakeholder support for reducing speed limits in Community Safety Zones from 40 to 30 kilometres per hour, with a focus on school safety. Findings may inform updates to applicable City policies. Staff will present engagement findings and policy options for Council in late 2025.
• York Region’s Traveller Safety Plan: This multi-agency collaboration encourages continued innovation in road safety with ongoing quarterly meetings. There is continued insight into road safety strategies, ensuring all local partners are on track to implement recommendations under the plan.
• Construction Management and Work Zone Safety Plan: A comprehensive plan is under development with local partners using a phased approach to increase information sharing and enhance safety protocols in construction zones and during city-building projects to ensure workers and the community remain safe.

Mobility Management Program

The Mobility Management Program uses innovative technology to modernize the City’s traffic signal system and ensure pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle traffic continue to travel safely and efficiently. The program contains:

• Intelligent Transportation System program and upgrades: Procurement and initial equipment installation of the City’s first Traffic Signal Control System set the foundation for an Advanced Traffic Management System, which is expected to be fully integrated by the end of 2025.
• By-law consolidation: This initiative is expected to organize, update and ensure consistency within municipal traffic regulations. It involves the review and consolidation of traffic-related by-laws enacted over the past 30 years. A consolidated by-law report will be presented to Council in early 2026.
• Traveller Information Systems: This system shares data collected by the Advanced Traffic Management System with travellers through various platforms, including mobile apps, message signs, websites and more. This system will continue to expand. 

Sustainable Mobility Program

The Sustainable Mobility Program supports the planning and development of active and sustainable transportation options for all road users. Elements of the program include: 

• Safer School Zones Plan: A comprehensive strategy to improve safety within school zones and help increase active school travel among elementary and secondary school students. The City developed recommendations for both operational and infrastructure improvements. Staff are actively working to implement recommendations.
• Community Safety Zone Policy: 104 Community Safety Zones were implemented throughout Vaughan in 2024 to ensure compliance with Automated Speed Enforcement legislation.
• Pedestrian Infrastructure Enhancement Plan: This plan developed a warrant process and guidelines for enhancing pedestrian mobility access and connectivity, focusing on developing a framework for pedestrian crossovers. The City partnered with York Regional Police to launch a crossover educational initiative for students, which will continue as part of the Active School Travel program.
• Travel Demand Management Plan: Provides ongoing support of the City’s transportation strategy, focusing on how people move throughout Vaughan. It aims to influence behaviour through programs, policies and communications to reduce vehicle trips (particularly during periods of high demand) and promote transit, ridesharing, walking, biking and telework, where feasible.
• Cycling Network Expansion: This includes continued collaboration with Infrastructure Planning and Corporate Asset Management to enhance existing cycling infrastructure and support the introduction of new cycling facilities across the city. 

Traffic Data Management Program

The Traffic Data Management program allows the City to ensure the accuracy and availability of traffic data to support data-driven, evidence-based decision-making and track the performance of the transportation system. It includes: 

• Network Screening: The City established a road safety tool to identify data gaps, outline areas prone to speeding and collisions, and prioritize locations that require countermeasures. Network Screening also supports the overall objectives of York Region’s Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan.
• Transportation Engineering Software: A cloud-based and centralized traffic data system was implemented to help advance analytics and data sharing between York Region and all local municipalities. Data is easily stored and maintained for reporting and analysis, which improves response times for decision-making in focus areas.
• Annual Count Program: The City initiated the first proactive annual traffic data collection program. This proactive approach will provide valuable insights into both short- and long-term trends, ensuring that countermeasures are applied effectively over time.
• Transportation Data Modernization: The City implemented upgraded transportation data collection and analysis tools and equipment through partnerships with internal and external agencies, such as the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network.
• Transportation Planning Data Management Strategy: Led by Infrastructure Planning and Corporate Asset Management, this strategy continues to focus on improving the collection, analysis and utilization of transportation-related data to inform decision-making and improve the City’s transportation systems. 

To stay informed on MoveSmart project plans and updates, visit vaughan.ca/MoveSmart.

QUOTES

“As Mayor, one of my top priorities is to keep our city moving. With initiatives like the MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy and the Council-approved Action Plan to Fight Traffic Gridlock, we are making significant progress on improving Vaughan’s transportation network. MoveSmart is our long-term strategy to create a connected, safe and efficient transportation system. It prioritizes smart mobility solutions, traffic management improvements and sustainable transportation options like cycling, walking and transit. This approach ensures we can ease congestion, enhance road safety and improve travel choices for all residents. I want to recognize our dedicated Public Works team who keep our city running smoothly and our residents safe. Their achievements continue to receive national and international recognition for innovative thinking, best practices and a commitment to Service Excellence. I also want to thank our community partners and residents for their meaningful contributions to MoveSmart’s success. By working together, we will continue to build the safest, most efficient transportation system in Canada – one that supports Vaughan’s growth while keeping residents moving.”

–  Mayor Steven Del Duca

“At the City of Vaughan, we are steadfast in advancing a safe, efficient and sustainable transportation system for all road users now and as our city continues to grow. I want to congratulate City staff on the incredible progress made to date on the MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy. The annual report highlights all the home runs this team has achieved by working together toward a common goal. I know Team Vaughan will continue to look for innovative solutions and apply evidence-based decision-making to enhance safety and mobility throughout our transportation network to make Vaughan a more livable, workable and accessible community for everyone.”

–  Zoran Postic, City Manager

“The MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy is a top priority in the Public Works portfolio. From the School Crossing Guard Program to the Speed Limit Policy to Community Safety Zones and more, these programs and initiatives are having a positive impact across the city and impact everyone’s daily lives. This strategy keeps Vaughan moving safely. So much has been accomplished within the past four years, and there is still much more to come. I want to thank staff for working day and night to ensure Vaughan’s transportation system remains safe, effective and reliable for everyone who lives and works in the city, and for our many visitors. The effort, incredible collaboration and innovative thinking put into MoveSmart thus far are how we will continue to build on this success for years to come.”

–  Emilie Alderman, Deputy City Manager, Public Works

QUICK FACTS 

• The annual MoveSmart update was shared with Vaughan Council at the Committee of the Whole (Working Session) on April 2, and ratified at the April 23 Council meeting, with further details outlined in this staff report.
• The City of Vaughan is responsible for maintaining 2,200 kilometres of roads and 97 traffic signals, enabling 570,000 average daily trips throughout the city.
• The City of Vaughan painted approximately 700,000 metres of new or refreshed pavement markings in 2024, including 11,800 metres of new cross walks.
• By 2051, Vaughan’s population is projected to increase by 68 per cent, while jobs are expected to grow by 46 per cent in the same period.
• On March 10, 2021, Council endorsed MoveSmart, reinforcing the City’s commitment to Transportation and Mobility.
• MoveSmart sets the direction and priorities for five years (from 2021 to 2026) while ensuring an efficient, reliable, safe and sustainable transportation system for all residents and business owners. The strategy will be reviewed and updated every five years. Progress on its implementation is reported annually to Council.
• The MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy was guided by input received from the public through a 2019 outreach program. More than 1,700 people participated in the outreach program, which gathered input on travel and road safety priorities and values, providing the City with extensive information on public transportation priorities.

LEARN MORE

• MoveSmart staff report (PDF) – April 2, 2025
• MoveSmart Annual Progress Report (PDF)
• Road Safety Initiatives in Vaughan handbook
• MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy webpage