New Traffic Calming Policy to Support Safer Neighbourhoods
The Town of Whitby is working to support safe roads in neighbourhoods by developing a new Traffic Calming Policy and Guidelines - and wants to hear from you!
Traffic calming measures are things like speed humps, raised crosswalks and intersections, mini (neighbourhood) roundabouts, and more intended to slow traffic and support safe roads.
The goal of the new policy and guidelines is to establish a clear and more consistent process for how requests related to traffic calming measures are assessed and prioritized for Town roads.
Why This is Needed
Every year, the Town receives many requests to install traffic calming on residential streets. However, without a clear policy, traffic calming resulting from these requests hasn't always been based on traffic data or included community consultation. This has led to some dissatisfaction and at times, requests for their removal.
The new policy will create a fair and data-driven process to assess and prioritize requests for traffic calming, ensuring resources are used effectively. It will also make sure all requests are treated equally and that consultation happens before any changes are made.
Have Your Say
Community engagement will play an important part in the development of Whitby's new Traffic Calming Policy and Guidelines.
Specifically, the Town is seeking feedback to help inform the:
- criteria that will be used by staff to evaluate a traffic calming request from a resident;
- level of resident support and engagement required to initiate and implement traffic calming measures; and,
- types of traffic calming measures that should be used in Whitby to address traffic issues.
There are many ways to have your say:
- NOW COMPLETE - Attend a drop-in in-person community engagement session:
- Tuesday, February 25 - drop in anyhttps://connectwhitby.ca/trafficcalmingpolicy/surveys/trafficcalmingpolicytime between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Central Branch of the Whitby Public Library (405 Dundas St. W.)
- Thursday, February 27 - drop in anytime between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the Brooklin Community Centre and Library (8 Vipond Rd.)
- NOW COMPLETE - Attend a virtual community engagement session:
- Tuesday, March 4 - register to join us on Zoom from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Couldn't attend the meeting? View the presentation deck and share your comment in our survey
- Complete a survey here by March 14 to have your say.
Next Steps
Feedback collected will be used to help inform a Draft Traffic Calming Policy and Guidelines to be presented for Council and community feedback this spring, with the goal to have final Council approval by June 2025.
Subscribe to follow this project to stay informed and be notified of future opportunities to have your say.
Additional Information
In October 2023, more than 900 people participated in a survey and mapping exercise to share where they thought traffic calming measures should be implemented in Whitby. This feedback identified numerous traffic-related concerns at various locations in the Town. The top five traffic-related concerns were speeding, traffic volume, dangerous driving, cut-through traffic, and school zones. The Traffic Calming Policy and Guidelines being drafted will consider and build on this input received.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information or to learn about various types of traffic calming measures.
