REQUEST FOR DIRECTION
DATE: June 12, 2023 Report No. EPW-23-008
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Joel Clary, Director of Engineering and Public Works
SUBJECT:
Title
Speed Limit Reduction Update
End
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
Does the Committee of the Whole have any additional input, questions or concerns after reviewing the results of the speed limit reduction survey?
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
1. That the COTW recommend to Council that staff be directed to:
• reduce speed limits on Major Roads to 40km/hr, and all other roads to 30km/hr, with the following exceptions:
i. Colville Road between Admirals Road and Tillicum Road to be 40km/hr;
ii. Tillicum Road between Transfer Street and Colville Road to be 40km/hr;
iii. Admirals Road between Esquimalt Road and Lyall Street to be 30km/hr;
iv. Lampson Street between Esquimalt Road and Lyall Street to be 30km/hr;
• install new speed limit signs by prioritizing:
i. Gateway signs and signs on Major Roads in year 1;
ii. Signs in school and playground zones, and where issues are identified on Residential Collectors in year 2;
iii. Signs where issues are identified on Local Roads in year 3 and beyond;
• proceed with traffic calming improvements utilizing the $50,000 budget for 2023; and
• update the Township Guide to Traffic Calming;
as described in Staff Report No. EPW-23-008.
Body
BACKGROUND:
In December 2022 in response to EPW-22-018, Council discussed options for reducing speed limits in Esquimalt. Council directed staff to gather additional public feedback before proceeding with the following proposed actions:
• reduce speed limits on Major Roads to 40km/hr, and all other roads to 30km/hr, with the following exceptions:
i. Colville Road between Admirals Road and Tillicum Road to be 40km/hr;
ii. Tillicum Road between Transfer Street and Colville Road to be 40km/hr;
iii. Admirals Road between Esquimalt Road and Lyall Street to be 30km/hr;
iv. Lampson Street between Esquimalt Road and Lyall Street to be 30km/hr;
• install new speed limit signs by prioritizing:
i. Gateway signs and signs on Major Roads in year 1;
ii. Signs in school and playground zones, and where issues are identified on Residential Collectors in year 2;
iii. Signs where issues are identified on Local Roads in year 3 and beyond;
• bring forward a budget request for 2023 budget deliberations for an annual traffic calming budget of $50,000; and
• update the Township Guide to Traffic Calming.
On March 30, 2023 the Township launched an online survey on engagingesquimalt.ca. Staff promoted the survey in the following ways:
- news release on March 30 that resulted in local media coverage (online, print, and TV)
- E-newsletter promotion on two occasions (approximately 500 subscribers)
- front page of The Current newsletter that is mailed to approximately 9,500 homes and businesses in Esquimalt
- paid promotion on Twitter on April 20 that resulted in 554 views
- multiple promotions on Township social media platforms
The survey was left open until May 11, 2023. The survey received the following interaction:
- engagingesquimalt.ca website received over 1000 total visits
- 736 visitors to the survey
- 459 responses to the survey
The questions used in the survey were:
1. The township is looking to reduce speed limits on Major Roads to 40km/hr, and all other roads to 30km/hr, with the following exceptions: Colville Rd. between Admirals Rd. and Tillicum Rd. to be 40km/hr; Tillicum Rd. between Transfer St. and Colville Rd. to be 40km/hr; Admirals Rd. between Esquimalt Rd. and Lyall St. to be 30km/hr; Lampson St. between Esquimalt Rd. and Lyall St. to be 30km/hr. Included was the installation of new speed limit signs by prioritizing new signs over the next 3 years, starting with gateways and major roads. To what degree do the speed limit changes described above make you feel safer walking, cycling, and/or rolling through the Township?
2. The cost to install speed limit signs range from approximately $500 to $800 per sign. Due to these costs and the number of signs required to inform drivers of the speed limits, sign will be installed over multiple years. While the bylaw change to enact the speed limit changes to the township would happen at once, the signs would be posted by the following priority: Year 1: Gateway signs and signs on Major Roads (90 signs or $45,000 to $72,000) Year 2: Signs in school and playground zones, and where issues are identified on Residential Collectors (65 signs or $32,5000 to $52,000) Year 3+ (annual): Signs where issues are identified on Local Roads (20 signs per year or $10,000 to $16,000) In the first year gateway signs will be used in key locations as information signs stating that the speed limit, unless otherwise posted, is 30KM/H. Also in the first year, signs will be installed on Major Roads to inform drivers that the speed limit is 40km/hr. Following this, the Township will focus on signs in key areas, on Residential Collectors, followed by Local Roads. To what degree do you feel this funding and timeline for signs is appropriate?
3. Rank the following traffic calming infrastructure from most desired to least desired based on your perspective of effectiveness and cost [note: costs are based on current pricing and may change]
4. To what degree do you feel the proposed annual funding of $50,000 for traffic calming is appropriate?
5. The Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP) identifies speed reduction as one of the “Five Big Moves” in order to improve road safety and improve neighbourhood livability. To what degree do you feel the proposed speed limit changes and associated signage, and annual traffic calming align with the goals of the ATNP?
6. Anything else we should consider?
7. Tell us a bit about yourself. Please check all that apply.
8. How did you hear about this project? Please select your top 3, if applicable.
Responses to the survey are summarized in Attachment 1. In addition, staff checked in with key stakeholders, including BC Transit. Feedback from BC Transit identified that the proposed changes could impact transit services.
ISSUES:
Staff’s analysis for the Committee to consider when reviewing the responses is described below.
1. To what degree do the speed limit changes described above make you feel safer walking, cycling, and/or rolling through the Township?
The results of this question are 46.7% feel safer, 34.9% said no difference and 12.2% feel less safe with the remainder providing a different response. Based on these results, staff recommend proceeding with the proposed changes.
2. To what degree do you feel this funding and timeline for signs is appropriate?
The results of this question are 29.6% want more funding, 23.7% said right amount of funding and 32.3% want less funding with the remainder providing a different response. With the results mixed, staff’s recommendation is to proceed as proposed.
3. Rank the following traffic calming infrastructure from most desired to least desired based on your perspective of effectiveness and cost
The results detailed in Attachment 1 vary and without knowing the respondent’s rationale, it is challenging to draw too many conclusions from the results. There are however a few observations that stand out to staff:
- Pavement markings for school zones on the road are a desired option
- Bollard curb extensions are preferred to permanent curb extensions
- Temporary concrete medians are not desired
We will continue to select the appropriate traffic calming measure based on best engineering practices and site-specific concerns, but this information is useful as staff look to utilize/prioritize the $50,000 in annual traffic calming budget starting this year. Based on known issues and feedback from the survey, staff will be proceeding with the follow locations for traffic calming measures this year:
- Bollard curb extensions to narrow road and reduce pedestrian crossing distance at Esquimalt Road and Constance Avenue crosswalk;
- Bollard curb extension to narrow the road on the south west corner of Munro and Fraser to reduce pedestrian crossing distance and traffic calm the entrance to Saxe Point. Potential opportunity for self-watering planters.
- School zone pavement marking stencils on Highrock Avenue
- School zone pavement marking stencils on Old Esquimalt Road
4. To what degree do you feel the proposed annual funding of $50,000 for traffic calming is appropriate?
The results of this questions are 41.7% want more funding, 15.3% said right amount of funding and 33.5% want less funding with the remainder providing a different response. In 2023, Council approved a budget of $50,000. With the results split on this question, staff recommend proceeding with the approved budget. After installations are complete, a different amount can be considered as part of the 2024 budget process.
5. To what degree do you feel the proposed speed limit changes and associated signage, and annual traffic calming align with the goals of the ATNP?
The results of this question are 53.4% said it aligns with the ATNP, 18.1% said no difference and 18.3% said not aligned with the remainder providing a different response. Based on a majority of respondents feeling the proposed changes align with the goals of the ATNP, staff recommend proceeding with the proposed speed limit reductions.
6. Anything else we should consider?
This question received 266 text responses. The responses provide a wide range of feedback with opinions in support and against the proposed changes. One common theme is the need for enforcement of speed limits. If the proposed changes proceed, staff will continue to work with the VicPD on how to enforce the changes.
7. Tell us a bit about yourself.
The results of the question identified a majority of the respondents are Esquimalt residents with 72.4% of the respondents selected this option.
Overall, staff recommend to proceed with the proposed changes.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That the COTW recommend to Council that staff be directed to:
• reduce speed limits on Major Roads to 40km/hr, and all other roads to 30km/hr, with the following exceptions:
i. Colville Road between Admirals Road and Tillicum Road to be 40km/hr;
ii. Tillicum Road between Transfer Street and Colville Road to be 40km/hr;
iii. Admirals Road between Esquimalt Road and Lyall Street to be 30km/hr;
iv. Lampson Street between Esquimalt Road and Lyall Street to be 30km/hr;
• install new speed limit signs by prioritizing:
i. Gateway signs and signs on Major Roads in year 1;
ii. Signs in school and playground zones, and where issues are identified on Residential Collectors in year 2;
iii. Signs where issues are identified on Local Roads in year 3 and beyond;
• proceed with traffic calming improvements utilizing the $50,000 budget for 2023; and
• update the Township Guide to Traffic Calming;
as described in Staff Report No. EPW-23-008.
2. That the COTW provide alternative direction to staff.
3. That the COTW request further information from staff.