Slowing Down for Safety’s Sake

February 17, 2010

City of Edmonton announces residential speed reduction pilot

Six Edmonton communities will test lower speed limits for six months starting in May, as part of a pilot project to see if reducing speed limits makes these communities safer.

Following a detailed analysis, the City of Edmonton selected Woodcroft, Beverley Heights, Ottewell, King Edward Park, Westridge/Wolf Willow and Twin Brooks to participate.

“Making our neighbourhoods safer makes them more livable,” says Dan Jones, senior speed management coordinator with the Office of Traffic Safety. “Traffic and pedestrian safety is a key part of that. We’ll keep trying new ideas and basing our decisions on what the data tells us.”

The six communities were chosen based on:

  • the extent of the speeding problem (speeding complaints, the difference between posted and observed speeds) within the neighbourhood.
  • the number and type of collisions occurring on the neighbourhood streets.
  • the traffic volume (in comparison to the capacities of the streets with speeding issues).
  • the nature of each neighbourhood based on the number of playgrounds and schools, proximity to highways and community consciousness (reflected by the number of impaired driving reports).

Input was also sought from the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, both Edmonton School Boards and the Edmonton Police service. The evaluation and selection process was organized by Dr. Khandker M. Nurul Habib, Assistant Professor, Transportation Engineering & Planning, University of Alberta.   

“We want safe streets in our communities…for our kids, our seniors and everyone else who shares the roads,” says Allan Bolstad, executive director with the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues. “Maybe if people have to slow down when going through residential areas, they’ll give a little extra thought to the way they drive and keep a better watch out for pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists.”

In addition to lower speed limits, speed management strategies such as digital speed display signs, as well as community programs including SpeedWatch and the Pace Car, will also be used.

For more information:

Laura McNabb

Title Communications
Telephone

780-496-2812
780-996-6298 (cell)
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