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Speed Management

What is Traffic Calming?

Traffic calming is a general term for various measures aimed at creating safer and more equitable road space. These measures are applied to existing roads that have issues with excessive speed, volumes or conflict between different road users. Effective traffic calming measures make more livable places with better road safety and less traffic impacts, such as noise, congestion and pollution. See Vision Zero for more information on the importance of slower speeds.

How Does it Work?

Recent research has found six main types of traffic calming measures:

Lane narrowing
Optical
Road friction
Horizontal deflection
Vertical deflection
Traffic restriction

Learn more about these types and the common measures for each one in the attached info sheets!

Info Sheets_6 Types of Traffic Calming Measures_200812.pdf

(701.8 KB)

Phases

Phases overview

Phase 1: Groundwork

Groundwork

Phase 2: Community Engagement

Community Engagement

Phase 3: Policy Development

Policy Development

Phase 4: Final Results!

Final Results!

Community Engagement

August 21, 2020 7:00 AM - September 19, 2020 7:00 AM

This phase is to collect feedback on traffic calming measures preferred by the community.

Vote for what you think is best for Bowen!

Review the ideas below and vote for your favourites. And, feel free to comment on why you think the idea is good or not for Bowen Island. If you have a great idea for traffic calming and don't see it in the list, you can add your own!

The best ideas will be used in the next phase of developing the Traffic Calming Policy.

Info Sheets_6 Types of Traffic Calming Measures_200812.pdf

(701.8 KB)

13 ideas

unknown author6 years ago What is it?A pedestrian crossing consists of signage and pavement markings, such as zebra (or slugs!), to increase awareness of pedestrians crossing the road. This traffic calming measure helps promotes more mindful driving by alerting drivers to pedestrians in the area.What is it good for?Speed reduction: GoodSafety of non-motorized road users: GoodKey ConsiderationsLow-cost (<$5,000) for signage and pavement markings. May consider mid-cost options ($5,000-$25,000) for busier crossings to provide enhanced safety features such as Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), curb extensions or pedestrian refuge.Requires a stretch of road with good visibility and sightlines. More effective with higher pedestrian volumes.

unknown author6 years ago What is it?Reallocation reduces width of vehicle travel lanes and uses that space for other road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. Narrower lane widths help make drivers slow down and more cautious, while the increase in walking and cycling next to the lane help make drivers more alert.What is it good for?Speed reduction: Very goodSafety of non-motorized road users: Very goodKey ConsiderationsMay be low- to high-cost depending on design. Low-cost (<$5,000) with paint or flex-posts. Mid-cost ($5,000-$25,000) with fixed barriers, planters or landscaping. High-cost (>$25,000) with curbs and paved walking/cycling space. Low-cost designs are generally less effective for speed reduction and safety improvements since driving outside the narrowed lane has fairly low consequences. However, higher cost options generally also require more ongoing maintenance.The main roads on Bowen Island mostly have lane widths of 3.5 m or greater. According to industry standards, a safe lane width for a speed limit of 40 km/h is 2.8-3.0 m. This means many roads on the island can be narrowed to help calm traffic.

unknown author6 years ago What is it?Lateral shift is a lateral realignment of a lane, usually by at least one vehicle width, to increase driver attention and require slower speeds for safe driving.What is it good for?Speed reduction: GoodSafety of non-motorized road users: Low effectKey ConsiderationsMay be low- to high-cost depending on design. Low-cost (<$5,000) with paint or flex-posts. Mid-cost ($5,000-$25,000) with fixed barriers, planters, landscaping or curbs. Low-cost designs are generally less effective for speed reduction and safety improvements since driving through the lateral shift has fairly low consequences. However, higher cost options generally also require more ongoing maintenance.Requires additional road width, which is very limited on most Bowen roads.(Diagram source: https://globaldesigningcities.org/)

unknown author6 years ago What is it?Chicanes are a series of at least three alternating curves using curbs, paint or landscaping to increase driver attention and require slower speeds for safe driving.What is it good for?Speed reduction: Very goodSafety of non-motorized road users: Low effectKey ConsiderationsMay be low- to high-cost depending on design. Low-cost (<$5,000) with paint or flex-posts. Mid-cost ($5,000-$25,000) with fixed barriers, planters, landscaping or curbs. Low-cost designs are generally less effective for speed reduction and safety improvements since driving through the chicanes has fairly low consequences. However, higher cost options generally also require more ongoing maintenance.Requires additional road width, which is very limited on most Bowen roads.(Diagram source: City of Ottawa. Traffic Calming Design Guidelines. 2019.)

unknown author6 years ago What is it?Speed cushions are two or more raised areas laterally across roadway with gaps between, usually in series. The gaps are spaced to allow for safe passage of emergency and transit vehicles. What is it good for?Speed reduction: Very goodSafety of non-motorized road users: Low effectKey ConsiderationsLow- to mid-cost (up to $25,000) depending on material. Rubber cushions are an effective low-cost option that are easy to install.Signage and pavement markings for approaches needed to be effective.Care needs to be taken in design for proper drainage.Drivers often try to swerve around cushions, which may create additional road hazards.(Diagram source: https://globaldesigningcities.org/)

unknown author6 years ago What is it?A rumble strip is a change in the road surface that, when driven over, produces a noticeable change in the sound and feel of a vehicle to alert the driver to changing road conditions.What is it good for?Speed reduction: GoodSafety of non-motorized road users: Low effectKey ConsiderationsMid-cost ($5,000-$25,000)Rumble strips are not considered a safe surface for cycling. Care needs to be taken in designing the implementation to allow for safe cycle passage.Rumble strips generate noise and are not recommended for residential neighbourhoods. Appropriate for gateway treatment to commercial areas.(Diagram source: City of Ottawa. "Traffic Calming Design Guidelines". 2019.)

unknown author6 years ago What is it?A speed table is a raised lateral section of road with approach ramps and flat top. The top should be at least one car length long. A speed table has similar speed reduction effectiveness as a speed hump, but is safer for cyclists, emergency vehicles and transit service. May also serve as a safer pedestrian crossing.What is it good for?Speed reduction: Very goodSafety of non-motorized road users: Very goodKey ConsiderationsMid-cost ($5,000-$25,000). Signage and pavement markings for approaches needed to be effective.Safer than speed humps, but generally not recommended for primary emergency or transit routes.Care needs to be taken in design for proper drainage.

unknown author6 years ago What is it?An interactive sign shows approaching drivers their speed or other graphics triggered by specific speeds. Such signs help make drivers more alert and aware of their driving speed.What is it good for?Speed reduction: Very goodSafety of non-motorized road users: Low effectKey ConsiderationsMay be low- to mid-cost ($5,000+) depending on sign features.Easy to install or relocate, and help enhance effectiveness of other types of measures. However, these signs on their own are generally only effective short-term (3-4 months) and for smaller speed reductions (~5 km/h).

unknown author6 years ago What is it?Speed limit reduction lowers the speed limit in a target area. This measure generally has a small effect in lowering speeds, but usually requires enforcement and other traffic calming measures to be effective.What is it good for?Speed reduction: OkaySafety of non-motorized road users: Low effectKey ConsiderationsLow-cost (<$5,000)Requires enforcement and other accompanying measures to be effective.

unknown author6 years ago What is it?Gateway treatment may include signage, pavement markings, landscaping and public art to indicate an area of lower speed limit. These treatments are usually placed at entry points to areas of significantly higher volumes of non-motorized road users.What is it good for?Speed reduction: GoodSafety of non-motorized road users: Low effectKey ConsiderationsMay be low- to mid-cost ($5,000+) depending on gateway features.May help enhance effectiveness of other types of measures. However, a gateway treatment on its own is generally only effective short-term (3-4 months) and for smaller speed reductions (~5 km/h).Most effective in areas with high proportion of drivers that do not regularly drive the road.More effective for areas that have a distinct change in land use and character.(Photo source: National Roads Authority (Dublin). " Traffic Calming of Towns and Villages on National Roads: 1997-2002". Aug 2008.)

unknown author6 years ago What is it?A median, also known as a traffic island, narrows vehicle travel lanes by widening the road centreline. Narrower lane widths help make drivers slow down and more cautious. The median may provide a pedestrian refuge for crossing a busy or wide road.What is it good for?Speed reduction: Very goodSafety of non-motorized road users: OkayKey ConsiderationsMay be low- to high-cost depending on design. Low-cost (<$5,000) with paint or flex-posts. Mid-cost ($5,000-$25,000) with fixed barriers, planters or landscaping. High-cost (>$25,000) with curbs. Low-cost designs are generally less effective for speed reduction and safety improvements since driving outside the narrowed lane has fairly low consequences. Higher cost options are more effective and allow option of a pedestrian refuge, but require more ongoing maintenance.The main roads on Bowen Island mostly have lane widths of 3.5 m or greater. According to industry standards, a safe lane width for a speed limit of 40 km/h is 2.8-3.0 m. This means many roads on the island can be narrowed to help calm traffic.(Photo source: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/08067/))

unknown author6 years ago What is it?A tight corner reduces corner radii down to 1.5 m to ensure slow turning speeds. This also provides more pedestrian space for better sightlines and a shorter crossing distance.What is it good for?Speed reduction: Very goodSafety of non-motorized road users: Very goodKey ConsiderationsMay be low- to high-cost depending on design. Low-cost (<$5,000) with paint or flex-posts. Mid-cost ($5,000-$25,000) with fixed barriers, planters or curbs. Low-cost designs are generally less effective for speed reduction and safety improvements since driving through the tight corner has fairly low consequences. However, higher cost options generally also require more ongoing maintenance.Only applicable at intersections.(Diagram source: https://globaldesigningcities.org/)

unknown author6 years ago What is it?Converging pavement markings are a series of markings, such as chevrons or transverse bars, with decreasing spacing to create perception of increased speed. These markings are placed ahead of an area of lower speed limit to prompt drivers to slow down.What is it good for?Speed reduction: GoodSafety of non-motorized road users: Low effectKey ConsiderationsLow-cost (<$5,000)Require stretch of flat, straight road for effective implementation.Easy to install and helps enhance effectiveness of other types of measures. However, these markings on their own are generally only effective short-term (3-4 months) and for smaller speed reductions (~5 km/h). Appropriate as part of gateway treatment.Most effective in areas with high proportion of drivers that do not regularly drive the road.(Photo source: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/08067/)

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Council Meeting: Traffic Calming Policy Introduction
Event date: October 14th, 2020 from 1:15 AM to 4:00 AM.
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