Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plan

A speed cushion is a raised section of a road which encourages drivers to reduce their vehicle speeds. Speed cushions are similar to speed humps but are designed to better accommodate larger vehicles and emergency vehicles by providing areas to “straddle” the cushion.

Application/Considerations/Outcomes

• Appropriate for local and collector streets
• May require special winter maintenance considerations
• Less impacts to cyclists, transit, and emergency service vehicles compared to speed humps
• Could result in “reduction in 85th percentile speeds up to 8 km/h” (TAC Canadian Guide to Traffic Calming, 2017)

Image sources: NACTO, TAC Canadian Guide to Traffic Calming, 2017

Roundabouts are installed at the intersections of two streets and intended to keep the speed to a minimum and increase safety at intersection crossings. Vehicles and cyclists entering the roundabout must yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk and circulating traffic.

Application/Considerations/Outcomes

• Applicable at intersections with higher traffic volumes, including where collector roads meet or where an arterial road intersects a collector
• Larger than neighbourhood traffic circles and can accommodate multiple lanes if needed
• Typically recommends speeds between 25-50 km/h
• Can accommodate larger volumes of traffic than neighbourhood traffic circles
• Include marked crosswalks to clarify where pedestrians are crossing
• Provide yield control for motor vehicles
• Larger design allows for additional landscaping and/or pedestrian treatments (e.g., crosswalk cut through centre)
• Where landscaping is added, materials should be selected to maintain sightlines
• Roundabouts have an excellent safety record, with a comprehensive review of over 200 roundabouts in Minnesota showing an 86% reduction in fatal crashes at intersections where roundabouts are installed. (A Study of the Traffic Safety at Roundabouts in Minnesota, 2021)

Image sources: WSP, New York City Street Design Manual

A raised intersection is where the entire intersection area is constructed at a higher elevation than the adjacent roadway. Raised intersections improve visibility for pedestrians and increase motorist awareness. Similar to speed humps and other vertical speed control treatments, raised intersections encourage drivers to reduce speed and yield to crossing pedestrians.

Application/Considerations/Outcomes

• Appropriate for local and collector streets
• Raised intersections should be avoided where grades exceed 8%
• Not recommended on routes regularly used by heavy vehicles
• Needs further design considerations on locations with regular bus services, such as providing a gentler ramp grade
• Installation should be restricted to where approaches have equal priority, such as all-way stop-controlled intersections
• Can be combined with other safety treatments to maximize safety benefits, such as including curb extensions at the intersection or crosswalk
• May include bollards along the corners to prevent motorists from crossing into the pedestrian space

Image sources: NACTO, HUB Surface Systems