Update – Aldgate Speed Table Pilot Project

I want to thank the many residents who have provided feedback on the Aldgate Street pilot project. The City of Winnipeg’s transportation engineers are overseeing both the installation and data collection related to this pilot project.  To be clear, they are professionals who work with road infrastructure daily, and I have to trust their experience, education and advice.

Since the initial installation of the speed tables in September, 2016:

• Yellow lines have been painted alongside the speed tables. Crossing a solid yellow line is not legal in Winnipeg and can be subject to a fine.
• The City plans to install a new collapsible bollard (plastic post) on the yellow lines in spring, 2017.

To clarify a common question, the speed tables can not be extended across Aldgate as they will impede the flow of emergency vehicles (fire, ambulance, paramedics).  Therefore, they are staggered.

Again, this is a pilot project aimed to reduce traffic speed, keep traffic moving and increase neighbourhood safety. Engineers often state that for a new traffic control device to be effective, it must be in place for at least one  year.

The Department collected speed data along segments of Aldgate to determine if an unusually high number of motorists were driving higher than the speed limit.  The data indicated that in fact there are a significant number of motorists driving higher than the speed limit.

Please see below a table that shows a number of segments along Aldgate where a percentage of motorists travel in excess of 55 km/h.  The Department considers “speeding” as having over 15% of motorists travelling at or higher than 55 km/h.  The Department will be collecting speed data again (as well as other information regarding driver behaviour) to see if and to what degree these speed tables have made an impact on speeds.

West Limit of Speed Segment	East Limit of Speed Segment	Percentage of Vehicles Traveling at >55 km/h (%) – warrant is 15%
Kellendock Road	Michaud Cres/Miner Cove	14.0
Nault Circle/Hindle Gate	Brabant Cove/Zylema Cove	18.2
High Castle Cres	Keelegate Place	27.1
Guernsey Lane	Twickenham Circle	36.6

As this is a pilot project, we will be adjusting elements that could help encourage drivers to reduce their speeds and/or discourage undesirable behaviour.  If by Fall, 2017, we have not been able to achieve the primary goal of these devices (i.e. to help reduce speeds to an acceptable level), then we would look at re-designing or considering other traffic calming devices.

To all residents who use Aldgate, I appreciate your feedback and welcome your comments.  Please E-Mail jlukes@winnipeg.ca.  We are sharing residents’ questions and comments with the City’s engineers and are meeting monthly to discuss the project.

Thank you.

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September 22, 2016

River Park South is a thriving residential community that is growing rapidly – homes are continuing to be built and new families are moving in.  Located in the south end of River Park South, Aldgate Road collects residential traffic and directs it to the regional roads network (St. Mary’s Road, St. Anne’s Road, and Dakota Street).  Aldgate is designed to accommodate transit buses and emergency vehicles, and is the primary ‘East–West’ connection for vehicles in south Winnipeg.

 

TRAFFIC IN A GROWING COMMUNITY

As the community grows, so does the volume of traffic. Over the past two years, I’ve received multiple enquiries with concerns requesting:

• Reducing traffic speed on Aldgate
• Improving access for pedestrians crossing Aldgate (ie: students attending Highbury and Burland Schools as well as improving access to parks, playgrounds and trail networks north/south of Aldgate)

To address these concerns, I initiated the following:

• On a frequent basis, I request the Winnipeg Police Service to patrol Aldgate for speeding traffic – which they do when time allows.  While traffic enforcement is effective, it is only periodic and does not represent a long-term, sustainable solution.
• In spring, 2015, I requested Public Works to conduct a traffic study of Aldgate to investigate if a stop sign met the necessary criteria for installation.  City traffic engineers studied Aldgate and determined traffic volumes did not meet the criteria for a stop sign.  For details, refer to the request and final report. Stop signs are designed to control traffic flow at intersections, and are not designed to control speed.  Periodically in the past, the Standing Policy Committee of Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works has overridden recommendations of the Public Works Department, and requested stop signs to be installed as speed control devices. I’m sure you’ve been on streets where there is constant starting and stopping due to stop signs. Not only is this frustrating for the driver, it results in negative impacts to traffic flow and fuel use.
• Prior to being elected, I worked extensively with the Green Action Center’s Active and Safe Routes to School Program to improve safe walking/cycling for children. I secured two studies through the Public Works department and the University of Manitoba’s engineering department to investigate walking/cycling barriers for students attending Highbury and Burland Schools.  Crossing Aldgate was identified as a major barrier.

CHANGING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Speed limit signs and traffic enforcement reduce speed and calm traffic to a limited extent. Traffic control and traffic calming devices are continually improving and in recent years, traffic engineers have been changing the ‘built environment’ to reduce speed and calm traffic. By changing the built environment, the physical changes alter vehicle/driver response to street conditions.

Working together with the City’s Public Works Department and Councillor Brian Mayes (St. Vital Ward), I’ve initiated and am supporting a PILOT PROJECT to install a series of traffic calming devices called “speed tables” along Aldgate Road to reduce speed, calm traffic and to improve conditions for pedestrian crossings. Please note:

• This is a 1.5 year pilot project where the City will be will assessing the traffic calming effectiveness of speed tables

Speed tables are constructed of asphalt, are painted and signed, and are alternated in opposite directions on the street. Speed tables physically change the street conditions, yet maintain a constant flow of traffic, as shown below:

Changing the built environment is a more sustainable approach to traffic calming as less enforcement by Winnipeg Police Service is required, traffic flow is maintained, and fuel is conserved vs having multiple stop signs installed. A bonus result of reducing speed enables improved conditions for pedestrian crossings. Speed tables can be installed on collector streets as they do not negatively impact emergency vehicles and transit buses, and stand up well to winter snow clearing operations.

There will be six speed tables constructed in the following areas, as part of this pilot project:

1. Eastbound: alongside 74 Hindle Crescent
Westbound: alongside 154 Vadeboncouer Drive

2. Eastbound: alongside 3 Scamel Road
Westbound: alongside Highbury Road

3. Eastbound: alongside 211 Hallfield Bay
Westbound: alongside 2 Clerkenwell

4. Eastbound: in front of 772 and 776 Aldgate Road
Westbound: in front of 714 and 718 Aldgate Road

5. Eastbound: in front of 768 and 770 Aldgate Road
Westbound: in front of 778 and 782 Aldgate Road

6. Eastbound: in front of 802 and 804 Aldgate Road
Westbound: in front of 806 Aldgate Road

A map with the six speedtables on Aldgate is shown below (click on the map to increase its size):

YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS PILOT PROJECT

I want to hear your feedback on the speed tables. I recognize this is a change, and not all folks will be in agreement with change, but I ask that you acknowledge this is a pilot project with the overall goal to  improve the community we live in. Do you think speed tables are an effective traffic calming approach? Is the installation of speed tables improving the conditions for pedestrian crossings on Aldgate?  How effective do you think the crossings are in the winter? Do you notice any change in traffic flow?  PLEASE contact me and share your feedback at:  jlukes@winnipeg.ca