Traffic Calming

Traffic calming refers to the use of specific strategies and design changes to roads that reduce vehicle speeds, discourage shortcutting through neighbourhoods, and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It aims to make streets safer and more comfortable by encouraging drivers to follow speed limits and avoid aggressive behavior. Traffic calming enhances the quality of life by making streets more livable and reducing the likelihood of accidents.

Physical Measures

• Speed Humps and Speed Cushions: Raised sections that slow cars.
• Raised Crosswalks and Intersections: Elevate pedestrian areas to improve visibility and slow cars.
• Curb Extensions and Chicanes: Narrow roads to force careful steering and slower speeds.
• Roundabouts: Revised intersections that slow traffic naturally.

Non-Physical Measures

• Speed Display Devices: Signs showing drivers’ speed to encourage safe driving.
• Targeted Speed Enforcement: Police presence in areas with speeding concerns.
• Education Campaigns: Raise awareness about the importance of safe driving.

• Stop signs: These control traffic flow at intersections but do not reduce speeding on the streets.
• Traffic lights / signals: While they regulate vehicle movement, they don’t address speeding or aggressive driving.
• Enforcement-only measures: Police ticketing and cameras enforce rules but don’t change the road design to naturally slow vehicles.

The Town of Fort Erie developed its traffic calming process with input from the community to ensure fairness and effectiveness.

1. Preliminary Assessment: Staff reviews the request to ensure it meets screening criteria like speed limits and traffic volume.
2. Technical Assessment: Data is collected to identify problems and solutions.
3. Plan Development: A draft plan is created with resident feedback.
4. Approval: At least 60% of households, with 25% participation, must support the plan.
5. Trial Implementation: Measures are tested for 12 to 18 months.
6. Permanent Installation: If successful, temporary measures are made permanent.
7. Monitoring: Staff monitors the effectiveness and adjusts measures if needed.

Who can request traffic calming?

• Residents, businesses, and Town Council members can submit requests.

How long does the process take?

• The process, including trials, can take 12 to 18 months.

What happens if the community does not support the plan?

• If 60% support isn't reached, the plan may be revised.

Can traffic calming measures be removed?

• Yes, but removal requires community input and may involve waiting periods.