Speed Limit Policy

Policy number: 2007-02

Effective date: September 4, 2007

Last revision date: December 1, 2008

On this page

1. Purpose
2. Policy

1. Purpose

Scope:  This policy is intended to be applicable to all County roads.

Authority:  The Highway Traffic Act authorizes Municipalities to pass by-laws to amend traffic conditions.

Objectives:  The goal is to set the posted speed limit at a reasonable rate that provides road users with an efficient road network that operates in a safe and efficient manner. This policy also establishes guidelines for requesting changes to the posted speed.

2. Policy

Posted speed should be set between 50km/h and 80 km/h in increments of 10km/h. The posted speed limit should ideally be set at or near the 85th percentile speed based on actual measurements of the operating speed. The recommended posted speed limits for different classes of County roads are included in Table 1:

TABLE 1

Posted speeds other than those recommended in Table 1 should be considered when:

1. Constrained by physical characteristics
2. Constrained by adjacent land uses and associated activities
3. Required for heightened safety in sensitive areas such as a school zone.
4. Required for safe operation temporarily in a construction zone.
5. Evidenced by a significantly higher than normal frequency or severity of accidents attributable to excessive speeds or
6. The recommended level in Table 1 is shown to be higher that the inferred design speed.

The posted speed may be set higher than the recommended levels in Table 1 if justified through a review of the 85th percentile speed, collisions and inferred design but not to exceed 80km/h.

Annual Speed Limit Review of Posted Speeds in the County

The County shall review operating speeds at selected locations throughout the County on an annual basis.

Any areas with a significant variation between the posted speed and the 85th percentile will be identified for further examination.

For locations that have a high 85th percentile in relation to the posted speed limit a review of the posted speed will be done taking into account the physical characteristics of the road, adjacent land use, collisions history and the design speed. Input from the local OPP will be requested for the previous experience with speed enforcement or other issues. The review conducted may result in the following:

a) No action is required
b) The operating speed is too high and measures to control it may include increased enforcement, a community education program or introducing design elements aimed at reducing speed.
c) The posted speed limit is too low and should be raised.

For locations that have a low 85th percentile in relation to the posted speed, consideration will be given to lowering the posted speed limit.

Findings and recommendations will be provided annually to Council for review.

Requests by Members of the Public

A request by members of the public to change the posted speed limit should be referred to the Annual Speed Limit Review. A written request with supporting documentation shall be submitted to the Public Works Department. Copies will be forwarded to the Ward Councillor.

When there are grounds for immediate action or when Council direction is given, a speed study may proceed in advance of the Annual Speed Limit Review.

Review of the findings will be undertaken as is carried out in the Annual Speed Limit Review.
The review will be presented in a public forum notifying the affected residents and general public prior to staff making a recommendation to Council.

A copy of the final report with results and staff recommendations to Council will be provided to requestors and interested parties.