Proposed Speed Limit Reduction Project

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The City of Duncan is proposing to implement a City-wide Speed Reduction Project this year. The project involves installing new speed limit signs across Duncan to reduce the default speed to 30 km/hr while allowing speeds of 40 km/hr on connector roads (Government Street, Canada Avenue (north of James Street), Coronation Avenue, and Trunk Road). As the City does not have jurisdiction over the Trans-Canada Highway, the speed limit will remain 50 km/hr on the TCH through Duncan.

The proposal has received a grant of $18,000 from Vision Zero BC, a grant program which aims to protect vulnerable road users from serious injury, disability, or death. The funding received from the grant along with additional capital funds from the 2023 Financial Plan (Gas Tax funds - no impact to property taxes) will go towards completion of this project.

Overview of the Project:

Establishing safe vehicle speeds is a critical component of a safe and equitable transportation system. The City-wide Speed Reduction Project targets several road safety issues, including:

  • Speeding,
  • Distracted Driving,
  • Children at Play,
  • Road Safety for Disadvantaged Groups,
  • Pedestrian Safety, and
  • Unsafe Driving.

City staff have mapped out a total of 50 new signs to be installed (and two sign changes to be made), including new signs at all entrances to the City where there are connections to neighbouring municipalities, as well as entry points from the Trans-Canada Highway. New custom signs will indicate that the default speed limit within the City will be 30 km/hr, unless otherwise posted.

Vehicle travel speeds are a critical factor in determining the severity of a crash and whether it occurs at all. The faster the speed, the less time the drivers have to react to unexpected situations, and the risk of death and injury increases significantly as travel speeds increase. A 2014 briefing note from the National Collaboration Centre for Healthy Public Policy reports that a pedestrian struck at 30 km/hr has a 90% chance of surviving, while at 50 km/hr that chance drops to 15%.

Reducing speed limits can significantly increase the chance of survival, especially for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

What the City has heard about speeding:

Community consultation for the City of Duncan's draft new Transportation and Mobility Strategy indicates improving safety for walking, rolling, and cycling as a key concern among residents. the Transportation and Mobility Strategy commits to the development of "Complete Streets", prioritizing safety, comfort, and access for all road users. Additionally, recent comments received during Official Community Plan community engagement sessions in late April 2023 indicated community support for lowering speed limits within the City.

This project is a critical step towards establishing safe vehicle speeds as a part of a safe and equitable transportation system for all to use and enjoy.

Take the short (3 question) Survey below and give us your feedback - What are your thoughts on the proposed city-wide speed reduction? Was there anything we missed or that you would like to add? Let us know, link to the survey can be found below.

The input you provide will be shared with Council to determine if changes are needed to the proposed city-wide speed reduction project before it is finalized.

You can view a staff report, a map, and technical drawing the proposed changes to maximum vehicle speeds within the City of Duncan by clicking on the links under Documents (scroll down).

To stay informed and receive project updates, click "Subscribe" on this page.

The City of Duncan is proposing to implement a City-wide Speed Reduction Project this year. The project involves installing new speed limit signs across Duncan to reduce the default speed to 30 km/hr while allowing speeds of 40 km/hr on connector roads (Government Street, Canada Avenue (north of James Street), Coronation Avenue, and Trunk Road). As the City does not have jurisdiction over the Trans-Canada Highway, the speed limit will remain 50 km/hr on the TCH through Duncan.

The proposal has received a grant of $18,000 from Vision Zero BC, a grant program which aims to protect vulnerable road users from serious injury, disability, or death. The funding received from the grant along with additional capital funds from the 2023 Financial Plan (Gas Tax funds - no impact to property taxes) will go towards completion of this project.

Overview of the Project:

Establishing safe vehicle speeds is a critical component of a safe and equitable transportation system. The City-wide Speed Reduction Project targets several road safety issues, including:

  • Speeding,
  • Distracted Driving,
  • Children at Play,
  • Road Safety for Disadvantaged Groups,
  • Pedestrian Safety, and
  • Unsafe Driving.

City staff have mapped out a total of 50 new signs to be installed (and two sign changes to be made), including new signs at all entrances to the City where there are connections to neighbouring municipalities, as well as entry points from the Trans-Canada Highway. New custom signs will indicate that the default speed limit within the City will be 30 km/hr, unless otherwise posted.

Vehicle travel speeds are a critical factor in determining the severity of a crash and whether it occurs at all. The faster the speed, the less time the drivers have to react to unexpected situations, and the risk of death and injury increases significantly as travel speeds increase. A 2014 briefing note from the National Collaboration Centre for Healthy Public Policy reports that a pedestrian struck at 30 km/hr has a 90% chance of surviving, while at 50 km/hr that chance drops to 15%.

Reducing speed limits can significantly increase the chance of survival, especially for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

What the City has heard about speeding:

Community consultation for the City of Duncan's draft new Transportation and Mobility Strategy indicates improving safety for walking, rolling, and cycling as a key concern among residents. the Transportation and Mobility Strategy commits to the development of "Complete Streets", prioritizing safety, comfort, and access for all road users. Additionally, recent comments received during Official Community Plan community engagement sessions in late April 2023 indicated community support for lowering speed limits within the City.

This project is a critical step towards establishing safe vehicle speeds as a part of a safe and equitable transportation system for all to use and enjoy.

Take the short (3 question) Survey below and give us your feedback - What are your thoughts on the proposed city-wide speed reduction? Was there anything we missed or that you would like to add? Let us know, link to the survey can be found below.

The input you provide will be shared with Council to determine if changes are needed to the proposed city-wide speed reduction project before it is finalized.

You can view a staff report, a map, and technical drawing the proposed changes to maximum vehicle speeds within the City of Duncan by clicking on the links under Documents (scroll down).

To stay informed and receive project updates, click "Subscribe" on this page.

Page last updated: 23 Jun 2023, 09:49 AM