TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 18, 2024 Report No. EPW-24-004
TO: Council
FROM: Joel Clary, Director of Engineering & Public Works
SUBJECT: Speed Limit Reduction Implementation
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council:
a) give first, second and third readings to the Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2898, Amendment Bylaw, 2024, No. 3134; and
b) direct staff to implement speed limit signage on major roads, collector roads, and gateway signage for local roads;
as described in Staff Report EPW-24-004.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of this report is to lower speed limits to 40km/hr on Major Roads and 30km/hr on all other roads by updating the Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, and to identify locations of corresponding speed limit signs. As part of this Bylaw update, staff propose additional changes to clarify the use of crosswalks by cyclists using elephant’s feet.
BACKGROUND:
The Township’s Active Transportation Network Plan identifies lowering speed limits as one of the “Five Big Moves”. Following staff report EPW-23-008 (discussed at Committee of the Whole on June 12, 2023), Council directed staff to reduce speed limits on Major Roads to 40km/hr, and all other roads to 30km/hr, with the following exceptions:
• Colville Road between Admirals Road and Tillicum Road to be 40km/hr;
• Tillicum Road between Transfer Street and Colville Road to be 40km/hr;
• Admirals Road between Esquimalt Road and Lyall Street to be 30km/hr; and
• Lampson Street between Esquimalt Road and Lyall Street to be 30km/hr.
In addition, Council directed staff to 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; and
iii. Signs where issues are identified on Local Roads in year 3 and beyond.
Chronology:
• February 2022: Active Transportation Network Plan endorsed (see esquimalt.ca/activetransportation)
• December 2022: Council considered speed reduction options and directed staff to gather public feedback (see staff report EPW-22-018)
• March to May 2023: Online survey for public engagement (see results in EPW-23-008)
• June 2023: Council directed staff to proceed with speed reduction implementation (see staff report EPW-23-008)
ANALYSIS:
Staff have now completed a more detailed implementation plan (see Attachment 1) than was described in June 2023. The new plan shows speed limit signs on Major Roads and Collector Roads, with gateway signage at strategic locations as drivers enter local roads. The number of each type of sign identified in the plan are:
• “Maximum 30km/h Unless Otherwise Posted” (Gateway Sign) = 75 ea
• “Maximum 30km/h” (Collector Roads and School Zones) = 38 ea
• “Maximum 40km/h” (Major Roads and Colville) = 53 ea
The amount and locations of signs on Major and Collector Roads are expected to result in enforceable speed limits on these roads; however, the gateway signage will not result in speed limits in all areas of local roads being enforceable due to limited signage.
Staff are ready to start installing the new speed limit signs, but before this happens, the Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw needs to be updated to reflect the new speed limits. Once adopted, the updated Bylaw (see Attachment 2) will mean the new speed limits are in effect; however, they will not be enforceable until adequate signs are installed.
Lowering speed limits is only part of the solution to reducing vehicle speeds. Starting in 2023, Council approved an annual traffic calming budget of $50,000 to reduce speeds in areas where speeds are excessive. The Victoria Police Department (VicPD) also plays a key role in enforcing the speed limits. VicPD are aware of the upcoming changes.
As a part of the Streets and Traffic Bylaw update (see Attachment 2), staff included minor changes to support active transportation and align with neighbouring municipalities. These include definitions and provisions for bike/multi-use crossings and their associated pavement markings and traffic control devices. Specifically, the use of elephant’s feet is being expanded to reflect new infrastructure on the Tillicum and Lampson corridor and for future improvements as part of the Active Transportation Network Plan. Elephant’s feet are a series of white painted squares that delineate crosswalks where cycling is permitted.
Environmental Impact:
Speeds are a major factor in creating a pedestrian and bike friendly environment. Results from the community engagement as part of the Active Transportation Network Plan showed that the speed of motor vehicles is among the top barriers for both people walking and cycling in Esquimalt. By lowering speed limits, along with engineering changes over time (example: annual traffic calming), more trips by active modes of travel are expected.
OPTIONS:
1. That Council:
a) give first, second and third readings to the Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, 2017, No. 2898, Amendment Bylaw, 2024, No. 3134; and
b) direct staff to implement speed limit signage on major roads, collector roads, and gateway signage for local roads;
as described in Staff Report EPW-24-004.
2. That Council provide alternative direction to staff.
3. That Council request further information from staff.
COUNCIL PRIORITY:
Engaged & Healthy Community - Implement Active Transportation Network Plan
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Within the current draft financial plan, there is a supplemental request of $50,000 and an unspent amount of $74,728 carried forward from the 2023 budget. It is expected that the cost to install all identified signs is between $83,000 to $132,500 based on $500-$800 per sign estimates. If the total replacements costs exceed the approved budget, the department will identify funds in its existing budget to complete the work.
COMMUNICATIONS/ENGAGEMENT:
Once the Bylaw is updated with the new speed limits, staff will inform the public using the following communications:
- News release
- Social media posts
- Spring Current
- Esquimalt e-news
- Changeable Message Board (CMS) in key locations moved around over 1-month period
In addition to public notification, staff will inform the following key stakeholders:
- VicPD (already aware of upcoming change)
- BC Transit (already aware of upcoming change)
- Department of National Defense
TIMELINES & NEXT STEPS:
Once the Bylaw is updated with the new speed limits, staff will immediately begin with communications and installing signs. The expected timeline to install 166 signs is 12-16 weeks. The speed reduction program also includes $50,000 budgeted annually for traffic calming. Staff will continue implementing engineering changes to reduce speeds using this budget based on issues identified by staff and the public. Starting in 2025, staff identified $15,000 annually to add speed limit signs on Local Roads where speed issues are identified.
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. Ian Irvine, Director of Finance, Reviewed
2. Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services, Reviewed
3. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
List all items attached to the Staff Report
1. Speed Limit Sign Implementation Map
2. Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, 2024, No. 3134 - Amended Version
3. Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, 2024, No. 3134 - Redlined Version