Minutes
Environment, Transportation & Public Safety Standing Committee
Wednesday, October 21, 2020

areas have done 40km/h speed area signs, not as a City Wide default limit. Councillor Francis inquires as to whether information is available if it worked in Tilbury. Mr. Hagan indicates that they have not received any data as it is a recent change. Mr. Hagan adds that the Highway Traffic Act was amended in 2017 to allow for reduction of speeds.

Councillor Francis would like to hear from Windsor Police Services, and he adds that he does not think people will slow down just because a speed limit sign is changed; he thinks other measures in conjunction with lowering speed are necessary. Councillor Francis adds that more enforcement/traffic blitzes would be required, and his concern is that a blanket reduction in speed reduces the significance of the current lower 40km/h areas. Councillor Francis inquires whether police would be able to target areas or would they need more resources to do more blitzes. Mr. Hagan indicates that the comments received from Windsor Police Services indicate that a lowering of speed limits will likely lead to an increase in demand for enforcement that may have a financial impact.

Councillor Francis expresses concern with taking resources away from areas that have undergone warrant studies if a reduced blanket speed is approved.

Councillor Francis expresses concern with the current traffic calming policy being a slow process and whether it can be expedited. Mr. Hagan indicates that an update to the traffic calming policy, which will be brought to Council in the fall, will include the expedited process as per direction from Council.

Councillor Francis inquires as to the streets that are currently 40km/h streets and whether they would stay that way. Administration confirms that they would remain this way.

Councillor McKenzie refers to a study published in Globe and Mail, which shows a 25% decrease in pedestrian collisions over 5 years of the study. Administration is not aware of the study.

Councillor McKenzie inquires whether the severity of collisions would be lower with a lower speed. Mr. Hagan indicates that impact speed is major factor in the severity of collisions as well as many other factors that are considered, and he agrees the severity would generally be lower.

Councillor Mckenzie inquires as to speed limits and operating speed ranges. Mr. Hagan indicates that changing the speed limit does not typically change driver behaviour. Mr. Hagan adds that setting a speed limit to a value not appropriate for that area may result in a variety of speed ranges which may be too high or too low.

Councillor Costante inquires whether the added enforcement would be a short term and a long term reality. Mr. Hagan indicates that the police comments did not specify this.

Councillor Holt inquires whether speed reduction would inform road construction moving forward, specifically road designs for different engineered speed. Mr. Hagan indicates there will be a report related to a complete streets policy for Council consideration in the next year. Mr. Hagan adds that