Traffic Calming

Traffic calming is a term used to describe a combination of features that are intended to improve traffic use on local collector streets, alter driver behaviour and improve safety conditions for everyone who uses the street.

Some of the most common types of traffic calming measures are traffic circles, raised circles in the middle of intersections that are intended to slow the speed of vehicles as they travel around the circle; choker, chicane or pinch points, devices that create an impediment on the road by placing a fixed object on the street, forcing motorists to divert around the object or slow down on a narrower section of road; and speed humps, raised sections of road to reduce speeds. Line painting and signs can also be used as forms of passive traffic calming.

Traffic calming has been used successfully to reduce vehicle speeds in residential neighbourhoods. Speed humps are one of the most popular traffic calming measures. Studies have indicated that speeds drop approximately 15km/h between speed humps and about 20km/h at the hump itself.

During their July 27, 2020 meeting, Belleville City Council approved a Traffic Calming  Pilot Project aimed at implementing city-wide traffic calming measures in 2021. The first step of implementation is having residents submit requests for any roadways of concern to be considered for the project. The City of Belleville’s Engineering and Development Services department is seeking residents’ input on traffic calming measures throughout the city to consider requests received before March 31, 2021.

Thank you to everyone who has provided their input. The request for input is now closed.

The City received over 108 traffic calming requests as part of the 2021 Traffic Calming Pilot Project. These requests are currently being reviewed and petitions will be sent out requesting public feedback. 

If your community wants to be considered for traffic calming, there are various steps that need to be followed in order to have the City investigate the issue in a particular neighbourhood.

After requests are received and the street meets the requirements for traffic calming, a petition signed by at least 25 per cent of affected households is required. When the petition is received, staff reviews it to ensure that it meets the stipulated technical and safety requirements. After City staff has reviewed the situation, a preliminary design and cost will be prepared and presented to affected residents via a Public Information Centre (PIC). The PIC will be followed with a survey of impacted residents. Traffic calming may be installed only on streets when the results of a formal poll indicate that a minimum 55 per cent of the affected households have responded and are in favour of the proposed traffic calming.

The City’s Traffic Calming Policy provides an overview of what traffic calming is, the process to have traffic calming implemented or removed, and what the positive and negative impacts of applying traffic calming measures can be. request a copy of the Traffic Calming Policy.