Meeting Vaughan’s current and future transportation needs
Image
Speed limit changes are coming to ensure the safety of all road users
The City of Vaughan is actively taking steps to ensure the safety of all road users, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. With Vaughan’s population expected to grow by 36 per cent and jobs to increase by 18 per cent in the next decade, road safety and effective traffic management remain a top priority for the City to help meet the community's existing and evolving transportation needs.
The City of Vaughan is actively taking steps to ensure the safety of all road users, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. With Vaughan’s population expected to grow by 36 per cent and jobs to increase by 18 per cent in the next decade, road safety and effective traffic management remain a top priority for the City to help meet the community's existing and evolving transportation needs.
That’s where the new Speed Limit Policy comes in. Approved by Vaughan Council, this policy sets and adjusts appropriate speed limits throughout the City’s street network to continue to ensure a safe community for all road users and address growing urbanization as more cars are anticipated to be on the roads.
The policy is exclusive to municipal roads and focuses on four areas within Vaughan’s road network: rural roadways, built-up/urban areas (including school zones), public laneways and select neighbourhoods. The City’s new Speed Limit Policy was approved by Council on June 2, 2021 (PDF), and implementation is anticipated to begin fall of 2021.
The following changes will be implemented under the Speed Limit Policy:
- School zone areas will change from 50 to 40 kilometres per hour in fall 2021.
- Public laneways will change from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour in spring 2022.
- Select neighbourhoods will change from 50 kilometres per hour to 40 kilometres per hour in fall 2022.
Regional roads like Rutherford Road, Jane Street and Major Mackenzie Drive are the responsibility of York Region. View this online map which highlights (in red) all the regional roads in Vaughan maintained by the Region.
To develop this policy, City staff conducted a review of the local street network with a focus on community safety, the increase in the number of pedestrians and cyclists and future growth. The relationship between speed and injury severity is critical for vulnerable road users. Evidence suggests that lowering speed limits, especially in residential areas, can be effective in reducing the risk of severe injury or even death.
For more information and updates on the City’s Speed Limit Policy, visit vaughan.ca/SpeedPolicy.
Vaughan’s Speed Limit Policy is part of one of four programs in the City’s MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy (2022-2026), which focuses on road safety and citizen engagement. MoveSmart sets the direction and priorities for the next five years while ensuring an efficient, reliable, safe and sustainable transportation system for all citizens and business owners.
On Wednesday, March 10, 2021, Council endorsed MoveSmart, reinforcing the City’s commitment to Transportation and Mobility – a strategic priority in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan. It focuses on improving the municipal road network, enhancing road safety and supporting more cycling and pedestrian infrastructure to create fully connected and integrated communities. The strategy will be reviewed and updated every five years. Progress on its implementation will be reported annually to Council. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/MoveSmart.
Alongside the new Speed Limit Policy, school zone safety, specifically, continues to be a joint priority for the City’s Transportation and Fleet Management Services, By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Services and Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service departments. Together with York Regional Police, York Region, York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board, the City continually works to ensure the safety of all members of the community. As part of this approach, the City launched it’s 2021/22 Speed Compliance Program for school zones. Speed signs were installed in elementary school locations throughout the city for two-week periods to help raise awareness of motorist travel speed and safety.
As well, schools throughout York Region are encouraging students and their families to use active means of travel to school such as walking or biking instead of driving. Active School Travel programs promote increased physical activity, manage traffic congestion and improve air quality. Parents can learn more through their childrens’s schools. Visit vaughan.ca/SchoolZoneSafety for more information.
-30-