Traffic Calming
Traffic Calming
Traffic calming aims to alter driver behaviour and improve safety for all road users, particularly for those walking and cycling. Traffic calming measures are designed to slow down motorists and bring greater awareness to the safety issues that speeding creates in residential neighbourhoods.
- The City has introduced a standardized approach to traffic-calming implementation. Read the updated Traffic Calming Policy and new Traffic Calming Guidelines to learn more.
- New traffic calming measures were recently installed in school zones to reduce motor vehicle speeds. Visit the Current Traffic Calming Installations page to learn more.
District-selected Streets
Each year, City Councillors can select a local road for traffic calming in each district. These installations involve the use of Type I (minor-adjustment) traffic calming measures to slow vehicles and improve safety which can be installed more readily and adjusted if needed. This process enables the implementation of up to 12 traffic calming installations each year in neighbourhoods across Kingston.
- Location Selection - Councillors select a local road where speeding or volume-related neighbourhood transportation concerns have been raised by residents.
- Develop Implementation Plan - Type I measures and a design specific to the local road are selected and planned.
- Data Collection - Baseline data may be collected where appropriate to determine the ‘before’ conditions of the roadway.
- Information Sharing - Residents living adjacent to planned traffic calming measures receive information about the City’s traffic calming plans for the area and may provide feedback or ask questions about the proposed plans.
- Installations - The traffic calming measures are installed along the selected road.
- Monitor and Collect Feedback - Ongoing opportunities for feedback are offered after the traffic calming measures have been implemented. This is used to inform and address any immediate issues with the installations and forms part of a summary for Councillors the following year.
How are neighbourhood speeding issues considered?
When a neighbourhood transportation issue is received, the City conducts an initial review that considers available traffic data, solutions previously implemented, existing policy, and planned capital work. Based on this review, the primary issue is defined and documented, and may be monitored or scheduled for further assessment.
If the primary issue is related to speeding or traffic volume, traffic calming approaches may be considered in the following ways:
- District selected street - City Councillors may select the roadway for a traffic calming implementation as part of the district-selected street process
- Neighbourhood-level programs that address transportation issues or behaviours in a designated area (i.e. the City’s Safe Routes to School program) may identify the need for traffic calming interventions.
- Community-based initiatives will become available to interested residents to address ongoing neighbourhood transportation concerns.
- Future Capital Planning - Transportation issues received and reviewed by the City may be considered as part of longer-term neighbourhood and capital project planning.
Traffic Calming Tools
The City has expanded its traffic calming toolkit to provide a wider range of tools. These tools include: Type I (minor-adjustment) measures, Type II (engineered-based) measures, and Community-based initiatives
Type I (minor-adjustment) Measures
Type I measures are often temporary or seasonal and can be more quickly and easily implemented compared to more permanent measures. These tools are an important step in reducing vehicular speeds and increasing safety for all road users.
Type I measures are used on streets put forward by City Councillors as part of the district-selected street process. These measures are also considered for use as part of neighbourhood-level transportation programs, such as the City’s Safe Routes to School Program.
Type II (engineered-based) Measures
Type II measures are physical changes that are more permanent and involve more resources and longer timelines to plan, design and construct. Type II measures are considered as part of longer-term neighbourhood and capital project planning. These plans are informed by the ongoing review of neighbourhood transportation concerns.
Community-based Initiatives
Community-based initiatives involve tools and programs that residents can implement with support from the City. This approach reflects a desire by some residents, community groups, and other stakeholders to address concerns in an area where City-led interventions are not yet planned or committed.
“Slow Down” lawns are available for residents to encourage motorists to slow down in their neighbourhood. Other community-based initiatives are currently under development and will become available over the year. You can learn more about the proposed initiatives in the recent traffic calming report to the Environment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Policies Committee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is traffic calming?
Traffic calming involves the use of measures that aim to alter driver behaviour and improve safety for all road users.
What streets are considered for traffic calming?
The traffic calming measures considered within the traffic calming policy and guidelines are primarily applicable along Local roads. Local roads are those intended to permit local traffic to access private property and move traffic to and from the minor collector street system in residential and neighbourhood areas.
Speed management along Arterial and Collector roads, requires a more comprehensive approach. Arterial roads, like Gardiners or Bath roads, are designed and built for higher volumes of vehicles and higher travel speeds. Managing speed along Arterial roadways requires consistent enforcement and is best addressed through longer-term capital planning and policies, such as through the City’s Active Transportation Master Plan.
An all-way stop would help slow down vehicles in my neighbourhood. Why doesn’t the policy consider the use of stop signs?
Stop signs are intended for intersection control and are not a recommended tool to address speeding concerns. Placing stop signs at locations that do not meet the recommended criteria can lead to lower compliance and other issues with driver behaviour that can create a false sense of safety for pedestrians.
The posted speed in my area is too high. Can the City reduce the speed limit instead?
Reducing speed limits on its own tends to have minimal impact on driver behaviour. Many motorists continue to drive at speeds they feel are reasonable and comfortable unless continual enforcement is present. The visual and physical cues that a driver uses to determine the appropriate speed should be consistent with the posted speed limit.
How can I report speeding concerns to Kingston Police?
You can report speeding or other traffic concerns to Kingston Police by submitting a traffic complaint through their non-emergency reporting tool.
Has the City considered Automated Speed Enforcement?
City staff are monitoring the implementation of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) that began in a few Ontario municipalities last year. A report was recently brought forward to Council that provides more information about the Automated Speed Enforcement program.