| 1. |
Do traffic calming measures affect emergency
response times? |
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Studies have shown that certain traffic calming measures,
especially vertical
measures such as speed humps and raised crosswalks, can slow
fire trucks and other emergency vehicles by about 3 to 10 seconds
each. This impact will be additive with a series of measures.
Engineering Department staff always endeavour to inform residents
requesting traffic calming measures of their impacts on emergency
response times. |
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| 2. |
Do speed humps affect snow ploughing? |
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Speed humps and raised crosswalks are gradually
sloped so that snow plough blades go over without damage to them or
the pavement surface. |
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| 3. |
Do traffic calming measures affect property
values? |
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There is no evidence to suggest that traffic
calming measures either raise or lower residential property values.
It is likely that for every person who feels they detract from the
value of a property, there is another who feels their safety benefits
add to the value of a property. |
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| 4. |
Can the speed humps on our street be made
higher or lower? |
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Speed humps (and raised crosswalks) in the
City of Vaughan are 7 metres (20 feet) long and 100 mm (4 inches)
high. The Engineering Department has found these dimensions to be
the best compromise between being severe enough to slow most vehicles,
yet forgiving enough to not unduly impact emergency response times. |
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| 5. |
Are there restrictions on the type of measures we can
have on our street? |
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All traffic calming measures are subject to installation
warrants (see Where
Traffic Calming Measures are Allowed).
Technically, speed humps and raised crosswalks should not be installed
where there are curves in the road that would make them hard to
see, or where they would interfere with residential driveways. The
same applies to medians, curb extensions/road narrowings and chicanes,
which also affect on-street parking.
Raised intersections are difficult to retrofit into existing streets
because of their impacts on drainage, and roundabouts are difficult
to retrofit because of the amount of land required. For these reasons
raised intersections and roundabouts are usually constructed in
new developments. |
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| 6. |
Why can’t we ask for increased police enforcement? |
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The Engineering Department often formally requests that
York Regional Police provide more frequent enforcement of a speed
limit, or compliance at an allway stop, on certain streets. Unfortunately,
police resources are limited, and are unable to spend time at all
the streets requested. |
