• Stouffville’s Council approved a new Speed Management and Traffic Calming Strategy on Dec. 11.
  • The Strategy was initiated by a 2021 motion from Mayor Lovatt intended to address community concerns regarding speeding and traffic safety.
  • Traffic-calming measures outlined in the plan include raised crosswalks, curb extensions, roadway narrowing, speed humps, and improved pavement markings.
  • Residents will be able to request traffic-calming initiatives by submitting a form for Staff evaluation.
  • Key principles for implementing measures include addressing root causes, considering road classifications, and minimizing impacts on emergency services and transit.
  • For 2025, the Town has budgeted for related projects such as roundabout alterations, additional ASE cameras, radar speed signs, and new traffic studies.

 

During their Dec. 11 meeting, Stouffville’s Council approved a new Speed Management and Traffic Calming Strategy (the Strategy) for the municipality. Staff collaborated with CIMA+ to develop the program, which aims to make the Town “a safer place to live, work, and play with respect to public roads and responsible driving.”

“The purpose of [the Strategy] is to incorporate best practices in speed management and traffic calming with local context to provide a more appropriate, efficient, flexible and systematic framework through which to address traffic safety issues relating to excessive speeding, careless driving, and collision frequency,” the related Staff report explains.

The Strategy was prompted by a motion from Mayor Lovatt during a June 2021 Council meeting. The motion cited concerns from residents, Council Members, and law enforcement regarding speeding vehicles, as well as limited enforcement capacity, and directed Staff to develop a plan and budget for implementing traffic-calming measures.

While the Town nears the launch of its Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program, options for more permanent and physical engineering solutions on Stouffville’s roadways will be explored.

“A successful traffic calming program is one which will alter the street in such a way that motorists will drive slower, exercise caution, and bring the street back closer to its intended use,” the report adds.

A range of available traffic calming tools have been identified through development of the Strategy. They include roadway narrowing, curb extensions, traffic delineators, raised crosswalks, improved intersections and pavement markings, and surface treatments such as textured pavement and rumble strips.

Traffic-calming initiatives and their locations may be triggered by resident requests or proactive efforts by Town Staff. Residents with traffic-related concerns will be asked to complete a form for Staff review, and further evaluation will be conducted to determine feasibility and whether implementation is warranted.

The Strategy outlines several key principles for investigating, selecting, and implementing traffic-calming measures. These include identifying the root causes of traffic concerns and determining whether the issues are consistent or time-specific.

Education and enforcement may be considered as standalone solutions or as part of a broader program. Efforts will also be made to minimize negative impacts on Fire and Emergency Services, transit operations, and roadway access and use.

“The selection of the measure is based on the applicability of these measures on the type of road being evaluated,” the Strategy notes. “This includes road classification (local or collector, urban or rural), speed limits, cross-sections, maintenance requirements, impacts to emergency services, and environment.”

Staff will assess the effectiveness of any implemented traffic-calming measures and make adjustments as needed. Measures failing to achieve their intended purpose will be removed. The evaluation process will involve collecting and analyzing data on traffic volumes, speeds, and any collisions before and after implementation.

Stouffville has already introduced some traffic-calming tools, including traffic delineators, speed bumps, improved pavement markings, and a signalized pedestrian crossover on Main Street. The Town has also expanded Community Safety Zones to support its ASE program, reduced speed limits on certain municipal roads, and installed radar speed signage in problem areas.

Related projects planned for 2025 include the expansion of roundabout changes piloted at Millard and West Lawn and conducting traffic studies to identify pedestrian crossings in need of improved pavement markings. Eight ASE cameras will be installed at locations determined in October with the possibility of another eight cameras coming later in the year.

Additional traffic delineators and radar speed signs have also been proposed by Staff for next year, as have further studies on speeding, traffic volumes, and potential all-way stop intersections.

Budgeted funding for 2025 initiatives includes $295,000 for roundabout alterations, $30,000 for radar speed signs, $30,000 for traffic studies, and $10,000 for sidewalk and multi-use path construction. A transportation analyst position has also been included in the 2025 budget, and they will assist in supporting and implementing various aspects of the Strategy.

“Enhancing roadway safety is critical to the health and well-being of the residents of Stouffville, as well as to others who travel on our roads,” the report states. “Implementing the [Strategy] is a significant undertaking. It will take time, resources, commitment, and funding.”