A proposal passed Wednesday by the city’s transportation committee would give residents across Ottawa a greater say in lowering speed limits in their neighbourhoods.
Committee members backed the plan to change the city’s outdated speed zoning policy to what was billed as a more efficient and streamlined process, including increased opportunities for community input.
The plan will be considered by city council on Oct. 28.
If council approves the proposal, residents can begin petitioning to change their street’s speed limit from 50 to 40 kilometres per hour – as long as 60 per cent of the residents on the street agree. The proposed lower speed limit would then be studied by staff and – if approved – posted.
“We’re putting the public back in public works,” said the John Manconi, the City of Ottawa’s public works general manager, at the committee meeting.
The proposal originally called for a 75-per-cent consensus, but was amended after Coun. Marianne Wilkinson stressed that it would be “virtually impossible to get that many people to sign a petition.”
Some councillors expressed their concern that a reduction in speed limits would only cause drivers to develop a false sense of security, potentially creating more dangerous roads.
Coun. Shad Qadri said he also worries that drivers won’t adhere to a lower speed limit since many already ignore the posted signs.
However, Manconi said this would not be a “blanket recommendation” applied to all streets, and assured the committee that public works will use behavioural specialists, street engineers and common sense to ensure any changes are safe for the public.
“(The proposal) is a bit overdue, but I’m glad that they’re looking at it now,” said Shawn Menard, president of Centretown Citizens’ Community Association.
Currently, $50,000 is in place within the city’s sign budget to install more than 200 signs each year, said Maria McRae, chair of the committee.
The new speed zoning policy will also include lowering speed limits in school zones, potentially changing speed limits on arterial and collector roads, and a suggestion to the province to lower the city’s current default speed limit of 50 km/h.
“When it’s appropriate for the engineering of the road and it’s at the request of the community, you can never go wrong,” said McRae.