Traffic Calming and Speed Limit Reduction

Improving safety for all road users continues to be a priority for the City of Whitehorse. Through the development of the City’s Transportation Master Plan and Official Community Plan, we have heard a strong community desire for improving road safety in Whitehorse.

To work towards the goal of improving road safety in Whitehorse, we're embarking on three projects:

• Neighbourhood Speed Reduction
• Traffic Calming on Eugene Avenue and Normandy Road
• Traffic Calming Policy

Together, these projects will support motor vehicle volume and speed management throughout Whitehorse and help create safe and comfortable travel options for everyone.

What is Traffic Calming?

Traffic calming uses engineering solutions and urban design to slow vehicle speeds, reduce traffic volumes, and enhance safety for all road users. Implementing traffic calming measures can involve physical changes to the street design (e.g. speed bumps) and regulatory changes (e.g. turn restrictions).The goal of traffic calming is to improve safety and neighbourhood livability by mitigating the negative impacts of speeding and shortcutting, while still maintaining reasonable access for residents, public transit, snow clearing, and emergency services.

While traffic calming is a great tool to help reduce motor vehicle speeds and volumes, it is not the only solution. When assessing where traffic calming may be needed, we'll also consider if other solutions may be more appropriate for a particular neighbourhood. In some instances, improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure may better address safety concerns.

Neighbourhood Speed Reduction Project

Through the Neighbourhood Speed Reduction project, we're investigating and working towards introducing speed limit reductions on all suitable streets. Reducing speed limits can lead to fewer collisions on the road and help create a safer and more comfortable travel experience for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

The Neighbourhood Speed Reduction project is establishing the Champions Collaborative, comprised of passionate community members dedicated to creating safer neighbourhoods for everyone. Champions will actively support and encourage speed reduction initiatives within their communities, offer input on proposed strategies to speed limit reductions on neighbourhood streets, and participate in crafting a community-wide survey.

Traffic Calming Projects

As part of the 2024 Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plan, we're addressing speeding and shortcutting motor vehicle traffic and poor driver behaviours along two segments, one on Eugene Avenue in Whistle Bend and the other on Normandy Road North in Takhini.

This initiative will establish a Community Input Panel comprising property owners, residents, institutions, community organizations, and the broader public. These stakeholders will offer local insights on issues for both locations and suggest potential traffic calming solutions.

Traffic Calming Policy

We're developing a Traffic Calming Policy that will provide clear guidance on how community members can request traffic calming and how staff will assess, prioritize, and evaluate traffic calming measures.

The final Traffic Calming Policy will describe how the City, community members, and strategic partners can support the development of streets that are safe and accessible for all road users.

The Traffic Calming Policy will be developed through technical analysis and community input. Your feedback will help us create a policy and request in-take process that is clear and easy to follow.