Traffic calming helps make neighbourhoods safer for non-drivers. That means slowing down cars, trucks, and motorcycles by altering driver behaviour. Studies have shown that reducing the posted speed limit in an area typically has no significant impact on how fast people drive.
Physical measures are more effective and could include:
• speed humps
• raised intersections and crosswalks
• curb extensions
• traffic circles or mini roundabouts
• on-street parking
• raised median islands
Is my street eligible for traffic calming?
If your street is owned and maintained by the municipality, it may be considered for traffic calming if it:
• is within a residential area
• is classified as a “local street” or “minor collector street”
• is a two-lane street
• has a posted speed limit not greater than 50 km/h
• is not part of a transit route
• is not part of a primary emergency response route
How do I request traffic calming for my street?
You, or your councillor on behalf of a resident or group of residents, may initiate a review of traffic calming for your street by contacting 3-1-1. When calling 3-1-1, you should prepare the include details of your request, including the street name and street limits to be assessed.
If you are concerned with speeding on your street, please call to Halifax Regional Police on the non-emergency line at 902.490.5020.
How will my request for traffic calming be evaluated?
The Traffic Calming Administrative Order [PDF] identifies eligibility criteria and explains the processes involved with requesting traffic calming on a residential street. As a quick overview:
1. A case officer will look through your request to make sure that it meets the conditions outlined above.
2. If it does, staff from Traffic Management will perform a primary assessment of the site, which mostly involves measuring traffic speeds and volume.
3. After reviewing that speed and volume data, the reviewers may suggest a secondary assessment and look in greater detail at things like collision history and the existing infrastructure, then make recommendations for improvements.
4. Those recommendations are written into a letter that the municipality mails to all residences on the street (or streets) being considered.
5. All civic addresses vote (also by mail) to approve or disapprove of the project. Your request needs a majority to be approved.
If any point during the review staff determine that the proposed traffic calming doesn’t satisfy the criteria, the process could be terminated.