Report Purpose To seek Council s approval of Municipal Policy SER : Traffic Calming

Transcription

1 Council Meeting Date: April 23, 2013 Agenda Item #: 13.1 MUNICIPAL POLICY (NEW) SER : TRAFFIC CALMING Report Purpose To seek Council s approval of Municipal Policy SER : Traffic Calming Recommendation THAT Council approve Policy SER : Traffic Calming. Council History Background/Justification Strategic Plan: Governance x Community Well Being x Community Sustainability x Economic Viability Service Delivery x Stakeholder Communication x Resource Management Policy: SER Traffic Control Devices, SER Installation of Traffic Signals and Pedestrian Crossings, GOV Public Engagement Legislative/Legal: Alberta s Traffic Safety Act is the governing legislation for the use of public roads in Alberta. Economic: Cost of implementing traffic calming measures in Strathcona County. Social: Improve traffic safety in residential areas to enhance overall quality of life. Environmental: n/a Stakeholders: Residents, Motoring public, Enforcement Services Interdepartmental: Transportation and Agriculture Services, Emergency Services, Recreation, Parks and Culture, Planning and Development Services, Enforcement Services, and Transit Summary The purpose of the Traffic Calming Policy is to provide guidance on the administration, planning and implementation of traffic calming in Strathcona County. x Enclosures I SER Traffic Calming Policy (Document: ) II Traffic Calming Reference Manual (Document: ) III PowerPoint Presentation by Boulevard Transportation Group (Document: ) Author: Ryan Anders, Manager, Traffic Engineering and Safety Date: April 23, 2013 Director: Ian Gray, Transportation and Agriculture Services Interim Associate Commissioner: Kevin Glebe, Infrastructure & Planning Services Document:

2 SER Enclosure I Strathcona County Municipal Policy Handbook Traffic Calming Date of Approval by Council: Lead Role: Chief Commissioner Last Review Date: Resolution No.: Replaces: Next Review Date: Administrative Responsibility: Transportation and Agriculture Services Special Notes: Engagement with Strathcona County residents with regards to traffic calming will be conducted in consideration of GOV Public Engagement. Policy Statement Residents of Strathcona County want to live in rural and urban neighbourhoods where vehicle speeds and volumes are consistent with those expected on residential local and collector roads. The purpose of traffic calming is to reduce the negative effects of motor vehicles and improve conditions for other modes of travel, including walking and cycling. The purpose of the Traffic Calming Policy is to ensure that residential roads function as they are intended by establishing a framework for the implementation of traffic calming in Strathcona County. The Traffic Calming Policy sets out principles and guidelines for the consideration and prioritization of requests for traffic calming. The policy provides clarity to residents and County departments by outlining their roles in the traffic calming process. Definitions Traffic Calming: The use of physical features to ensure roads are used as they are intended, as defined in the Strathcona County Design and Construction Standards (2011). Traffic Calming Plan: A plan that provides the community and County staff with a visual representation (conceptual design) of the placement of traffic calming features. Where applicable, it will also include a summary of other measures taken to manage traffic in the area, for example, educational or enforcement initiatives. Guidelines Consideration of requests for traffic calming and designation of study area will be guided by six principles. 1. Calm traffic in response to need. Priority for traffic calming will be given where there are identified speed, volume, shortcutting and/or collision issues, particularly in areas of higher pedestrian volumes. 2. Identify the root cause of traffic concerns. In-depth analysis of the problem area and the surrounding network leads to solutions that will reduce or eliminate these root causes. 3. Quantify the problem. Sufficient time and resources must be committed to collect complete and accurate data needed to identify the extent of a problem. 4. Calm traffic in areas, not sites. Consider traffic calming at a neighbourhood level, rather than on a site-by-site basis. Implementing site-specific traffic calming without considering the larger area can cause the issue to shift from one location to another. 5. Allocate traffic calming funds cost effectively. Coordinate traffic calming with routine road rehabilitation to reduce costs, maximizing the number of traffic calming measures that can be implemented. 6. Support community-driven traffic calming. Neighbourhoods demonstrating a high level of support for traffic calming are more likely to support the implementation of a Traffic Calming Plan. Doc

3 SER Strathcona County Municipal Policy Handbook The development of a Traffic Calming Plan will be guided by the following principles. 1. Avoid restricting access. Traffic calming solutions should aim to retain access for neighbouring residents and businesses. 2. Do not impede non-motorized modes of transportation. Traffic calming measures should be designed to slow drivers while permitting cyclists and pedestrians to travel freely. 3. Accommodate service and emergency vehicles. Traffic calming designs must consider services such as transit, garbage collection, snow removal, street cleaning, and emergency services. 4. Use self-enforcing measures. Self-enforcing measures inherently require driver compliance due to their geometric design features and do not need constant enforcement. 5. Involve the community. Community involvement builds support for the Traffic Calming Plan and ensures effective solutions are developed to address the unique circumstances of the neighbourhood. 6. Monitor and follow up. Traffic calming measures are not universally applicable. It is important to monitor applications to identify the successes and failures of specific features in the County. Roles and Responsibilities Transportation and Agriculture Services department is responsible to: Administer the traffic calming process as outlined in the Traffic Calming Reference Manual. Receive and respond to traffic-related concerns and requests for traffic calming. Collect data, prioritize projects, and develop Traffic Calming Plans; implement and evaluate those approved by the neighbourhood. Bring potential traffic calming projects to Council for budget approval on an annual basis as required. Determine if there are opportunities to accommodate traffic calming projects with upcoming maintenance schedules. Capital Planning and Construction department is responsible to: Determine if there are opportunities to accommodate traffic calming projects with upcoming construction schedules. Ensure new construction uses current design and construction standards. Review and comment on Traffic Calming Plans. Planning and Development Services department is responsible to: Ensure new development uses current design and construction standards. Review and comment on Traffic Calming Plans. Utilities; Transit; Emergency Services; Recreation, Parks and Culture; and RCMP and Enforcement Services departments are responsible to: Review and comment on Traffic Calming Plans. Residents initiating the traffic calming process are responsible to: Partner with the County to champion the traffic calming process and liaise with the community. Residents residing in the proposed traffic calming area are responsible to: Provide feedback and partake in public engagement exercises related to traffic calming projects. Approve or reject the implementation of the Traffic Calming Plan based on level of neighbourhood support for the project as outlined in the Traffic Calming Reference Manual. Procedures This policy is supported by the Traffic Calming Reference Manual. Doc

4 Enclosure II Traffic Calming Reference Manual Doc

5 Strathcona County Traffic Calming Reference Manual Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction Traffic Calming Application Guidelines and Principles Integration with Other County Planning and Policy Documents Traffic Safety Strategic Plan Strathcona County Strategic Plan / Sustainability Frameworks Strathcona County Integrated Transportation Master Plan Sustainable Transportation Assessment in Neighbourhoods (STANs) Public Engagement Policy and Framework Strathcona County Design and Construction Standards Traffic Calming in Proposed and New Developments Traffic Calming Process Resident-Initiated Traffic Calming Process Phase Phase Phase Traffic Calming Process Timing Strathcona County Initiated Traffic Calming Process Strathcona County Response to Major Safety Issues Traffic Calming with Other County Capital Works Projects Traffic Calming Priority Assessment Data Collection Data Collection for the Traffic Calming Points Matrix Speed Data Volume Data Shortcutting Data Timing of Speed, Volume and Shortcutting Data Collection Collision Data Traffic Calming Points Matrix Funding Traffic Calming Traffic Calming Measures Road Classifications and Traffic Calming Measures Obstructions Vertical Deflections Horizontal Deflections Signs and Pavement Marking Technological Solutions Speed Limit Reduction to 40 km/h Roundabouts and Traffic Circles Temporary Solutions Removal of Traffic Calming Solutions Glossary...21 Appendix A: The Traffic Calming Policy...23 Appendix B: Strathcona County Road Standards...26 Appendix C: Traffic Calming Process Flow Chart...28 Appendix D: Traffic Calming Points Matrix...30 Appendix E: References...32 Doc

6 Strathcona County Traffic Calming Reference Manual 1.0 Introduction Strathcona County recognizes the demand for traffic calming in residential areas and the potential negative effects of motor vehicle traffic on neighbourhood quality of life. The purpose of traffic calming is to reduce the negative impacts of motor vehicles and improve safety conditions for all other modes of transportation. Residents of the County want to live in neighbourhoods where vehicle speeds and volumes are reasonable. In Strathcona County, acceptable speeds and volumes in residential areas are defined in the Council approved Design and Construction Standards (2011) and the Speed Control Bylaw Strathcona County contracted the Boulevard Transportation Group Ltd., a recognized leader in the field, to develop a Traffic Calming Policy and Reference Manual for the community. The resulting Policy SER (Appendix A) provides guidance on the administration, planning and implementation of traffic calming in Strathcona County. The policy provides guidelines for the consistent implementation of traffic calming in the County to ensure that residential local and collector roads function as they are intended; it provides clarity to residents and County departments by outlining their roles in the traffic calming process. This Reference Manual provides additional support information for the Traffic Calming Policy, including detailed guidelines and application principles, expanded process explanations, the criteria for traffic calming projects, and a Traffic Calming Points Matrix for prioritizing projects. This manual describes how residents can initiate a traffic calming plan process and details when the County will implement traffic calming measures. 1

7 2. 0 Traffic Calming Application Guidelines and Principles Requests for traffic calming and designation of the study area will be guided by six principles: 1. Calm traffic in response to need. Priority for traffic calming will be given where there are identified speed, volume, shortcutting and/or collision issues, particularly in areas of higher pedestrian volumes. 2. Identify the root cause of traffic concerns. In-depth analysis of the problem area and the surrounding network leads to solutions that will reduce or eliminate these root causes. 3. Quantify the problem. Sufficient time and resources must be committed to collect complete and accurate data needed to identify the extent of a problem. 4. Calm traffic in areas, not sites. Consider traffic calming at a neighbourhood level, rather than on a site-by-site basis. Implementing site-specific traffic calming without considering the larger area can cause the issue to shift from one location to another. 5. Allocate traffic calming funds cost effectively. Coordinate traffic calming with routine road maintenance to reduce costs, maximizing the number of traffic calming measures that can be implemented. 6. Support community-driven traffic calming. Neighbourhoods demonstrating a high level of support for traffic calming are more likely to support the implementation of a traffic calming plan. The development of a traffic calming plan will be guided by the following principles: 1. Avoid restricting access. Traffic calming solutions should aim to retain access for neighbouring residents and businesses. 2. Facilitate movement for non-motorized modes of transportation. Traffic calming measures should slow drivers while permitting cyclists and pedestrians to travel freely. 3. Accommodate service and emergency vehicles. Traffic calming designs must consider services such as transit, garbage collection, snow removal, street cleaning, and emergency services. 4. Use self-enforcing measures. Self-enforcing measures inherently require driver compliance due to their geometric design features and do not need constant enforcement. 5. Involve the community. Community involvement builds support for the traffic calming plan and ensures effective solutions are developed to address the unique circumstances of the neighbourhood. 6. Monitor and follow up. Traffic calming measures are not universally applicable. It is important to monitor applications to identify the successes and failures of specific features in the County. 2

8 3.0 Integration with Other County Planning and Policy Documents Integration of the Traffic Calming Policy with other existing Strathcona County planning and policy documents ensures the traffic calming process fits its specific purpose and meets the needs of the County and community. 3.1 Traffic Safety Strategic Plan The Strathcona County Traffic Safety Strategic Plan (TSSP) guides the County in developing processes specifically related to traffic safety. The plan sets targets for reducing collisions and highlights related programs currently underway that will assist in meeting these targets. Strategy 7.0 deals with neighbourhood traffic safety; the TSSP is the document most relevant to the Traffic Calming Policy. 3.2 Strathcona County Strategic Plan / Sustainability Frameworks The Strathcona County Strategic Plan is the principal guiding document for governance, community development and service delivery. The Traffic Calming Policy and Reference Manual have been developed in consideration of the Strategic Plan and its supporting policy documents. 3.3 Strathcona County Integrated Transportation Master Plan The Strathcona County Integrated Transportation Master Plan establishes a vision and direction that will guide policies and decision making related to the County's transportation needs over the next 30+ years. The implementation of traffic calming is consistent with the plan s vision to encourage sustainable transportation in the County. 3.4 Sustainable Transportation Assessment in Neighbourhoods (STANs) The document A Framework for Conducting Sustainable Transportation Assessments in Neighbourhoods (STANs) provides a process for considering transportation choices at the neighbourhood level. It is an alternative approach to address the issue of traffic calming that, in addition to typical traffic calming considerations, explicitly includes sustainable (or active) modes in the process. STANs can be a useful complement to the traffic calming process. 3

9 3.5 Public Engagement Policy and Framework The Traffic Calming Policy is intrinsically linked with the Strathcona County Public Engagement Policy and Framework, as it requires both public engagement and education. The Public Engagement Policy and Framework guide the design and implementation of public engagement activities for the County. The framework outlines four types of public engagement: input, listen and learn, collaborate, and empower. During the development of a neighbourhood traffic calming plan, the County should initiate appropriate public engagement activities to gather the necessary information to make decisions. This provides an opportunity for residents to have input in the development of a traffic calming plan for their neighbourhood and to increase community awareness for the project and its outcomes. All public engagement activities undertaken as part of the Traffic Calming Policy will be developed using the guiding principles and the continuum of engagement in the Public Engagement Policy and Framework. 3.6 Strathcona County Design and Construction Standards The Design and Construction Standards (2011) guide the development of any roadway within the County (Appendix B). It provides a consistent standard of design; and these standards define the road classifications, which is an important step in the development of the traffic calming plans undertaken through this policy. In the County roads are classified as: Local roads are intended to provide access to adjacent properties, and are not for continuous travel and high speeds. Collector roads link local roads with arterial roads. They provide more access opportunities and more continual routes. Arterial roads provide continuous vehicle travel at higher speeds. These routes typically include limited access to adjacent land uses. 3.7 Traffic Calming in Proposed and New Developments New residential developments proposed within the County are designed to incorporate traffic calming in a proactive manner, which helps to avoid retrofitting new neighbourhoods with traffic calming after completion. Traffic calming in new urban neighbourhoods is achieved in accordance with the Transportation Association of Canada s Canadian Guide for Neighbourhood Traffic Calming (1998) and Strathcona County s Design and Construction Standards (2011). 4

10 4.0 Traffic Calming Process The following process will be used for traffic calming requests received from residents of Strathcona County. The process provides a formal system for quantifying and addressing concerns, prioritizing projects, and developing a traffic calming plan using community engagement. This system will allow the County a means of addressing the growing demand for traffic calming in a planned, efficient, consistent and equitable manner. 4.1 Resident-Initiated Traffic Calming Process The resident-initiated process describes the steps to develop a traffic calming plan based on a community-initiated request. For a flow chart of the traffic calming process see Appendix C Phase 1 (Timeline: 2 to 3 Months) Process Initiation Residents contacting Transportation and Agriculture Services to complain of traffic issues will be given the option to initiate the process. Complaints which are directed to Council will be referred to Transportation and Agriculture Services. Residents will be asked to formally request traffic calming in their neighbourhood via a letter to Transportation and Agriculture Services. By making this request, the resident or resident group is agreeing to be the Community Ambassador for the traffic calming project. Successful traffic calming projects are community driven. Therefore, Community Ambassadors must be prepared to champion the traffic calming process. Ambassadors will partner with Transportation and Agriculture Services throughout the process. Community Ambassadors share the primary responsibility for communicating with the community during the traffic calming process with the County and are responsible to garner community support for the traffic calming process. The Community Ambassador s role is essential in maintaining community interest and participation through the traffic calming process. 5

11 Preliminary Screening Upon receiving an official request for traffic calming in a neighbourhood, Transportation and Agriculture Services will investigate the complaint by considering the preliminary screening criteria. Roadway Screening Criteria: must be a residential local or collector roadway the posted speed limit is not greater than 50 km/h roadway must be under Strathcona County s control adjacent land uses are primarily residential traffic patterns must be stable (neighbourhoods affected by temporary conditions, such as adjacent construction, cannot be considered under the Traffic Calming Policy) issue must be related to speed, volume or shortcutting If the roadway meets screening criteria, County staff will proceed to establish the study area. At this time, Transportation and Agriculture Services may schedule and carry out preliminary data collection and analysis to quantify and verify the problem, as outlined in Section 5, if suitable data is not available. Data collection ensures that the issue being raised is appropriate for the Traffic Calming Policy. For example, if data identifies a major safety risk, for example where speed on a road exceeds design parameters, the traffic calming process is terminated and filed while the issue is addressed through engineering safety standards. Note that this process may instigate the traffic calming process as an outcome. See Section 4.2 for further discussion. If the issue being raised is on an arterial road, the roadway will be investigated by Transportation and Agriculture Services as part of regular network screening activities. 6

12 Establish Study Area County staff will determine the project study area. Generally, local roads will have study areas bound by collector roads and collector roads will have study areas bound by arterial roads. The study area will be chosen to ensure appropriate consideration of traffic patterns on surrounding streets that may either be impacted by a traffic calming plan, or that may potentially influence the speed, volume, or shortcutting issues in question. Project Support Survey Once the study area has been established, Transportation and Agriculture Services will notify the Community Ambassador, in writing, indicating whether or not the project is appropriate to move forward in the traffic calming process. In collaboration with the Community Ambassador, Transportation and Agriculture Services will write a letter about the proposed traffic calming process to send to residents in the study area. The letter will outline traffic issues which have been raised in the neighbourhood, and ask if there is support to move forward with the traffic calming process. Transportation and Agriculture Services will mail the letter to every residence in the study area, providing them with a survey which they can return via mail or complete online indicating whether they are in support, neutral or not in support of the consideration of traffic calming in their neighbourhood. Residents will be given one month to complete the survey from the time of mailing. It will be the responsibility of the Community Ambassador to champion the traffic calming process. Strathcona County will not solicit residents to return their surveys. The goal of this survey is to determine sufficient support from the affected residents for initiating the development of a traffic calming plan. 60% of the affected residents (one response per household) must indicate they are in support with a minimum return rate of 30% in order to move forward with ranking and funding. Unreturned surveys from the survey area will not be considered for or against the development of a traffic calming plan, but only as unreturned surveys. In the case of a rental property, the home owner will vote for the residence. If the required level of support is not achieved, the traffic calming process will be terminated, and the study area will not be eligible for reconsideration under the Traffic Calming Policy for a period of three years. 7

13 Ranking If Project Support Surveys indicate sufficient levels of neighbourhood support for traffic calming, the project will be prioritized by completing the Points Matrix (see Appendix D). The Points Matrix provides criteria for ranking and prioritizing potential traffic calming projects. Traffic calming projects will be funded through the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Program (see Section 6.0). When funding is available, the project with the highest score from the Points Matrix will be undertaken first. Other projects will remain on the list until funding becomes available. New projects will be added and the list reprioritized. Residents and the County can use driver education solutions to address the adverse traffic issue while neighbourhoods wait for traffic calming funding. Driver education increases communication about driving behaviour in the neighbourhood without the implementation of physical traffic calming measures. The County maintains a toolbox of education options, such as driver feedback signs Phase 2 (Timeline: 4 to 6 Months) Traffic Calming Plan Development When funding is available, traffic calming plans can be developed for the highest ranked project. A traffic calming plan provides the community with a visual representation (conceptual design) of the proposed placement of traffic calming features. Where applicable, it will also include a summary of other measures taken to manage traffic in the area, for example, educational initiatives. Based on the traffic issues facing the neighbourhood, the County will choose from the traffic calming options outlined in Section 7. The proposed traffic calming features will be designed in accordance with Strathcona County Design and Construction Standards (2011), guidelines and recommendations contained in the Canadian Guide to Neighbourhood Traffic Calming (1998), engineering judgement, and the experience of staff. A minimum of two alternative plans will be developed wherever possible. A public engagement plan and supporting communication plan will be developed by Transportation and Agriculture Services in collaboration with the Community Ambassador. These plans will outline the engagement required through the rest of the project and any education that will be used to support the application of traffic calming in the neighbourhood. 8

14 These plans will also help to increase awareness of appropriate driving behaviours in a neighbourhood setting. The conceptual designs will be detailed enough that the community can understand the plans and how they will affect travel and aesthetics on their street. This may require both conceptual drawings and cross section examples. Care will be taken to ensure that the drawings and schematics are understandable to the wider community, who may have limited experience reading plans or engineering graphics. Traffic Calming Plans - Department Review The conceptual designs will be circulated to the Planning and Development Services, Capital Planning and Construction, Emergency Services, RCMP and Enforcement Services, Utilities, and Transit departments for review and comment. Traffic Calming Plans - Resident Review The conceptual designs will be presented to the residents for their feedback. The most appropriate method of resident engagement will be chosen using the Public Engagement Policy and Framework, discussion with community leaders, and consideration of the nature of the project. Traffic Calming Plans - Stakeholders Review If there is a park, school, or other community amenity within the study area, the appropriate school board, Recreation, Parks and Culture department, or other affected organizations will be presented the conceptual design for review and comment. Development of the Final Traffic Calming Plans Upon receipt of comments from the residents and County departments, engineering staff will modify the conceptual designs as necessary, while conforming to design and construction standards. Final traffic calming plans will be presented to residents using the appropriate public engagement method, as defined in the public engagement plan. Traffic Calming Plan Support Survey Transportation and Agriculture Services will mail a Traffic Calming Plan Support Survey to every residence in the study area, providing each with a survey they can return via mail or complete 9

15 online. Residents will be provided with information about the proposed designs, a summary of traffic issues, goals of traffic calming, potential impacts of traffic calming measures, and their implementation. Residents will be asked whether they are in support, neutral or not in support of the traffic calming plan, with a space for feedback. Residents will also be asked to indicate their preferred option for traffic calming. In the case of a rental property, both the home renter and owner will be welcome to participate in the public engagement. However, the home owner will be given the vote for the residence. The survey will note that this is the final opportunity for residents to provide comment or feedback on the traffic calming plan. Upon return of the surveys, the in support responses will be counted in favour of the proposed traffic calming, and the option with the highest level of support will be considered the preferred design. The level of response must meet at least 30% of the issued surveys returned. A minimum of 70% of residents in the study area must be in favour of one of the proposed designs. It will be the responsibility of the Community Ambassador to champion the traffic calming process. Strathcona County will not solicit residents to return their surveys. Residents will have one month from the date of mailing to complete their surveys. If the required level of support is not achieved, the traffic calming process will be terminated, and the study area will not be eligible for reconsideration under the Traffic Calming Policy for a period of three years Phase 3 (Timeline: 2 to 3 Months) Detailed Design When a preferred design has been chosen by the community, County staff will carry out detailed designs for the preferred traffic calming option. The detailed design will consider sidewalks, utilities, placement of bus stops, landscaping, signs, drainage, snow removal and maintenance. The design will be completed to a level of detail that considers the relevant requirements outlined in the Strathcona County Design and Construction Standards (2011). Information will be provided to affected residents informing them of the chosen design and letting them know that traffic calming is being implemented in their neighbourhood. The notification will include the construction schedule and any relevant information about construction. 10

16 Implementation In most cases, implementation and construction of the traffic calming plan will be completed in conjunction with scheduled improvements in the neighbourhood. Priority will be given to communities that are scheduled for roadway rehabilitation in the near future to avoid a long delay between the development of a traffic calming plan and its implementation. Strathcona County follows an established schedule to maintain its road surfaces. Implementation of traffic calming measures in conjunction with existing overlay programs ensures that construction is undertaken in the most efficient and cost effective manner. In cases where there is significant neighbourhood support for traffic calming, this will be reflected in the Points Matrix, and traffic calming may be implemented independent of scheduled maintenance. Monitoring and Evaluation Follow up monitoring and evaluation of the traffic calming measures will be completed within two years of implementation. The same studies used in the data collection to complete the Points Matrix should be repeated. If applicable, studies will also be undertaken on surrounding streets to ensure that the surrounding road network has not been negatively impacted by the traffic calming measures Traffic Calming Process Timing The process of undertaking a neighbourhood traffic calming plan and its implementation will be done in a timely manner. A realistic timeline for the work is outlined in Table 1. Table 1. Process Timing Phase 1 Approval Phase 2 Phase 3 Construction Evaluation and Monitoring 2-3* months Varies 4-6 months 2-3 months Varies Within two years of implementation * Transportation and Agriculture Services will strive to complete Phase 1 as quickly as possible. However, data collection is limited by the weather; and in areas near schools, by the school calendar, which may extend this timeline up to 6 months. This timeline indicates that a plan can generally be prepared and ready to implement in less than a year. Construction time will vary with scheduled maintenance and time of year. 11

17 4.2 Strathcona County Initiated Traffic Calming Process Strathcona County Response to Major Safety Issues Where routine or data collection for the purposes of traffic calming identifies a traffic safety issue that falls outside of safety parameters for a local or collector road, Strathcona County has a duty of care to correct the problem. In these cases, the installation of traffic calming features may be used to address the concern. These projects will necessarily be prioritized above other traffic calming projects. When possible, residents will be given the choice between at least two options for managing traffic. In these cases, the Strathcona County initiated process will use the same basic framework outlined in the resident initiated process, starting at Phase 2. However, the County has a duty of care to correct safety concerns and may need to implement solutions without providing options Traffic Calming with Other County Capital Works Projects Traffic calming devices are useful in supporting other community projects and transportation initiatives such as safety improvements, improvements for sustainable transportation modes, and streetscaping. The County will consider using all traffic calming tools to accomplish the goals of these projects. 12

18 5.0 Traffic Calming Priority Assessment Data Collection 5.1 Data Collection for the Traffic Calming Points Matrix County Staff will conduct the necessary traffic studies to quantify the traffic concerns within a neighbourhood. The Traffic Calming Points Matrix uses the data as outlined below. See Section 5.2 and Appendix D Speed Data Speed data will be collected for a minimum of three days. The data will be counted in 15-minute intervals. It is important that the speed data be recorded in 5 km/h increments. Speed data will be summarized in the following manner: Percentage of instances for each speed (per 5 km/h) Cumulative speed to obtain 85th percentile speed. If the site is within or contains a school and/or playground zone, 85th percentile speeds should be calculated for the zone effective times and non-effective times. The 85th percentile that varies furthest from the legal speed limit should be used in the Points Matrix calculation Volume Data Volume data will be collected for three days in 15-minute increments. The data should be summarized for average daily traffic (ADT) Shortcutting Data For the purposes of this policy, shortcutting is defined as travelling on a local road to bypass congestion on an arterial or collector street, or to make use of a more direct route. Shortcutting traffic does not originate from, nor is destined to, a location on the local road. Where residents indicate that shortcutting is a problem on their local road, shortcutting data will be collected using a license plate survey at all entry and exit points to the study area. This will be done by recording the license plate and entry/exit time of each vehicle entering and exiting the study area. In order to summarize this data, the license plates will be matched and their times compared to the travel time between the entrance/exit points. If the time is the same or lower than the travel time, it is presumed they are shortcutting through the study area. If their time is substantially longer than the collected time, it is presumed their destination is within the study area. 13

19 Shortcutting is considered problematic for a local road when greater than 25% of the volume of vehicles on the road are deemed to be shortcutting. Generally, shortcutting data will only be collected for local roads, as collector roads are expected and designed to accommodate some through traffic. Where volumes on a collector road are above those expected according to design and construction standards, a license plate survey may be conducted to better understand traffic patterns in the area Timing of Speed, Volume and Shortcutting Data Collection Collection of viable speed, volume and shortcutting data is limited by climate and the school calendar in the County. The following guidelines will apply to data collection to be used to assess for traffic calming: Collect data during mild weather conditions: Data will not be collected during stormy or snowy conditions. Collect data when school is in session: Most neighbourhood traffic volumes peak when school is in session. Summer traffic patterns are generally not representative of normal conditions in the community. Collect data midweek: Midweek measurements capture school hours and minimize the impact of holiday events (i.e. long weekends), which can impact traffic patterns. Exceptions may be made to these guidelines in circumstances where traffic issues have been identified to occur at off-peak times (e.g. a golf course in the area generating weekend and summer traffic). In order to collect viable data, in most years, collection will be limited to April to June and September to October. Currently, Transportation and Agriculture Services collects speed and volume data on County roads according to a regular data collection program. Data collection is generally completed in a manner that will lead to the appropriate data for use in the Points Matrix. Existing data for an identified area of concern can be used for priority calculations when: It is less than five years old in a mature neighbourhood (greater than five years since neighbourhood completion), and there has been no new development impacting traffic patterns in the neighbourhood. 14

20 It is less than two years old in a new neighbourhood (two - five years since neighbourhood completion), and there has been no new development impacting traffic patterns in the neighbourhood. It has been collected according to the guideline outlined in Section Collision Data The total number of collisions that occurred in the area of concern over a five year period will be used for the Points Matrix collision data value. If collision rates are available in the future, the matrix will be altered to include these rates in the calculation scheme. 5.2 Traffic Calming Points Matrix The Traffic Calming Points Matrix is a tool used to prioritize potential traffic calming projects based on attributes of the identified area of concern. The matrix assigns points to each traffic calming request based on defined criteria. This will allow requests to be ranked according to the severity of the problem and local area factors. Potential traffic calming projects are assigned a rank score based on the following criteria: Speed over the posted speed limit Local road traffic volume, collector road traffic volume Shortcutting Five year collision history Urban street overlay program schedule Pedestrian generators Sidewalks Level of community support for traffic calming The worksheet will be completed by Transportation and Agriculture Services staff. See Appendix D. 15

21 6.0 Funding Traffic Calming Traffic calming projects will be programmed with the annual Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Program to complete projects each year. Projects will be ranked using the Traffic Calming Points Matrix and then held for annual review. The highest ranked projects will be funded according to Council-approved and available budget. Projects that do not receive funding will be held until the next year, and new projects will be ranked amongst the existing list, when the next evaluation occurs. If there is strong support (greater than 2/3 of the entire study area) for traffic calming on a local road, residents may choose to move forward with traffic calming as a local improvement rather than waiting for funding to become available, particularly for low priority projects. A local improvement is a project, approved by County Council, which is considered a greater benefit to a specified area within a municipality, rather than to the whole municipality. Property owners pay a local improvement charge annually with their taxes over a specified number of years for project costs constructed in the benefiting areas. In these cases, the traffic calming process will proceed as outlined in this policy, but petitioning procedures and levels of support are required as per the Municipal Government Act (sections and section 392 0). 16

22 7.0 Traffic Calming Measures Generally, traffic calming measures will be chosen and designed according to the Canadian Guide to Neighbourhood Traffic Calming (1998). However, all measures must comply with Strathcona County Design and Construction Standards (2011). In addition, engineering judgement and the experience of County staff will be used to develop a traffic calming plan best suited to a neighbourhood of concern. 7.1 Road Classifications and Traffic Calming Measures Traffic calming devices are suitable for some road classifications but not others. Table 2 indicates the types of traffic calming devices that are considered for each road classification in the County. Table 2. Road classification and appropriate traffic calming measures Road Signs and Vertical Horizontal Technological Classification Obstructions Pavement Deflections Deflections Solutions Markings Local Yes Yes Yes Yes* Yes Collector, Minor No Yes Yes Yes* Yes Collector, Major No No Yes Yes* Yes *Generally signs and pavement markings are utilized in combination with other traffic calming measures Obstructions These features obstruct specific vehicle movements. They discourage shortcutting to varying degrees (depending on the type and number of features applied), reduce conflicts, and enhance the neighbourhood environment. They are typically used at intersections, but are also applied mid block. Full road closure or directional road closure are examples of obstructions Vertical Deflections Vertical deflections are traffic calming devices that require a motorist to reduce speed due to varied surface level (e.g. a speed hump). Vertical deflections have the primary benefit of reduced vehicle speeds and can also result in decreased volumes, reduced conflicts, and enhanced pedestrian conditions Horizontal Deflections Horizontal deflections require a motorist to alter their direction or choose an entirely different route. Horizontal deflections can be used to reduce neighbourhood shortcutting, to reduce vehicle speeds, or to reduce conflicts. Examples of horizontal deflections include curb extensions and on street parking. 17

23 7.1.4 Signs and Pavement Marking Signs (such as Turn Prohibited ) and pavement markings (such as the addition of centrelines) can be used as traffic calming measures that regulate traffic movements in lieu of physical changes to the roadway. In certain applications, these measures may produce the same effect as the physical traffic calming measures. However, police enforcement is often required to ensure motorist compliance, and thus they are generally utilized in combination with physical traffic calming features Technological Solutions Traffic calming techniques that use newer technologies [Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)] to communicate a message to drivers, such as radar speed signs and in-road lighting. 7.2 Speed Limit Reduction to 40 km/h In an effort to improve neighbourhood safety and liveability, some municipalities in North America have decreased residential speed limits from 50 km/h to 40 km/h. Reduction of speed limits to 40 km/hr will be considered as a potential traffic calming strategy when brought forward by the Community Ambassador and when the data analysis and community roadways are found to be conducive. Posting a 40 km/h speed limit requires enforcement for effective adherence; and is therefore, not the best traffic calming option. This will only be considered in conjunction with other traffic calming measures which lower the design speed of the road. Speed limit reduction also requires a change to the Speed Control Bylaw , which would require Council approval. 7.3 Roundabouts and Traffic Circles While modern roundabouts have traffic calming benefits, they are primarily a traffic control device, engineered to continue to function under high traffic volumes and reduce the risk of severe collisions. Modern roundabouts are characterized by deflection upon entry, slower vehicle speeds, and a practice whereby drivers yield upon entry to the traffic already in the roundabout. Because they are safe and effective traffic control devices which have the added benefit of slowing traffic, modern roundabouts are often incorporated into traffic calming plans to manage traffic at larger intersections. 18

24 In Strathcona County, the intersection of Main Boulevard and Marion Drive is an example of a modern roundabout (Figure 2). Figure 2. Modern roundabouts have deflection upon entry. Main Boulevard/Marion Drive, Strathcona County (Image Source: Google) Traffic circles are also used for traffic calming applications. Traffic circles are simply a raised island located in the centre of an intersection, which require vehicles to travel through the intersection in a counter-clockwise direction. Traffic circles provide similar traffic safety and management benefits as modern roundabouts at low-volume intersections, slowing traffic and dissuading users from shortcutting through neighbourhoods (Figure 4). Figure 4. Traffic circle 19

25 7.4 Temporary Solutions Temporary traffic calming measures should be avoided and should only be implemented on rare occasions when staff are testing a unique or rare application of a traffic calming device. The appearance of temporary traffic calming measures may produce a negative effect on residents in regard to the appearance of their neighbourhood, property values, and traffic calming generally. 7.5 Removal of Traffic Calming Solutions Following evaluation, Strathcona County staff may decide to remove traffic calming measures, if the measures are determined to be unsafe or have created a negative impact that cannot be corrected. Traffic calming measures will be installed and monitored for at least three years before removal, unless a safety issue has been identified. If a single traffic calming measure is targeted for removal, all traffic calming devices in the plan will be considered for removal, as the measures function together. Removing only one measure can limit the effectiveness of area traffic calming. Residents may indicate their desire for the removal of a traffic calming device; however, there is no process for residents to initiate the removal of a traffic calming measure which was installed using County funding. If traffic calming devices were installed under a Local Improvement Bylaw, then a Local Improvement Bylaw will be required to fund their removal. 20

26 8.0 Glossary Affected Resident: A resident living within the designated study area of a traffic calming request who must be engaged during the traffic calming process. In the case of a rental property, both the home renter and owner will be welcome to participate in the public engagement. However, the home owner will be given the vote for the residence. Average Daily Traffic (ADT): The average 24-hour traffic volume recorded from a period of less than a year. An ADT can be calculated for a month, a week or for two days 1. Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT): The average 24-hour traffic volume at a given location calculated over a full year. Canadian Guide for Neighbourhood Traffic Calming: A guide published by the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) and Canadian Institute of Transportation Engineers (CITE) covering neighbourhood traffic calming information including application advice, design criteria and specifications for traffic calming measures. Collision (Crash): A set of events that result in injury or property damage due to the collision of at least one motorized vehicle. These events may involve collisions with another motorized vehicle, a bicyclist, a pedestrian, or an object. Community Ambassador: The resident or resident group who formally requests traffic calming in a neighbourhood. Community Ambassadors partner with Strathcona County during the traffic calming project. They share the primary responsibility for communicating with the community during the traffic calming process with the County and are responsible to garner community support for the traffic calming process. Complete Streets: A practice whereby a roadway is assessed for its ability to accommodate all modes of transportation (i.e. cars, bicycles, transit and pedestrians). The practice includes an evaluation of how well each mode is accommodated. Operating Speed: The speed at which a driver is observed operating a vehicle. The operating speed of all vehicles at a particular location is reported as either a mean or an 85 th percentile operating speed 2. Posted Speed: The posted speed is the speed limit on a street expressed in kilometres per hour. The posted speed limit instructs drivers of the maximum speed to travel under normal conditions. Posted speed limits should conform to the design speed of a road. Roundabout: See Modern Roundabout. Shortcutting: Travelling on a local road to bypass congestion on an arterial or collector street, or to make use of a more direct route. Shortcutting traffic does not originate from, nor is destined to, a location on the local road. Signage: Road signage comes in a number of forms, including regulatory, warning, information, temporary, and automated. Regulatory signage requires police enforcement, but in some cases can be replaced with self-enforcing traffic calming devices. 1 From the Professional Traffic Operations Engineer Refresher Course Guide 2 From the Transportation Association of Canada Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Part 1 21