Whereas, Richmond Hill residents are concerned about traffic and road safety in our communities and it is an urgent priority; and
Whereas, every day, residents reach out to Members of Council to demand that visible and measurable actions be taken to make our roads safer; and
Whereas, Richmond Hill Members of Council recognize and prioritize the importance of community safety, reducing vehicular speeding and traffic congestion in neighbourhoods, around school zones, community centres and park areas; and
Whereas, on August 24, 2023, the York Regional Police Community Safety Data Portal showed the following data that was captured against the same period a year ago in Richmond Hill:
- 3549 total traffic collisions up 20.2%
- 2726 traffic collisions resulting in property damage up 21.4%
- 499 traffic collisions -fail to remain up 23.2%
- 347 counts of careless driving up 1.2%
- 321 traffic collisions with personal injury up 7.7%
- 250 counts of driving disqualified up 42.9%
- 77 counts of dangerous driving up 79.1%; and
Whereas, this data does not include the many drivers who do not get caught driving dangerously and who continue to break the law showing a complete disregard for the safety of others; and
Whereas, the City of Richmond Hill Traffic Operations and Safety Study that is to provide a clear set of policies, procedures, and pre-approved “tools” on how the City can efficiently and effectively address traffic safety and was approved as part of the 2016 Capital Budget has yet to be finalized; and
Whereas, many municipalities have prioritized and already instituted traffic calming measures including the City of Vaughan which undertook a Neighbourhood Area Traffic Calming Policy, Design and Speed Management Study in the Fall 2022 with pilot tests of five neighbourhoods that commenced Summer 2023.
Now Therefore Be It Resolved:
1. The Council directs appropriate city staff to prioritize a report back to Council by November 15, 2023, that identifies, with associated costs, quick build temporary traffic calming measures to be installed in six targeted neighbourhoods, one pilot in each ward, with installation commencing in the Spring of 2024; and
2. That staff be directed to include in the report the following, but not limited to, quick build measures:
- boulevard streetscaping enhancements
- in-road flexible signs
- bollards
- new pavement markings in school zones and 40 kilometre per hour neighbourhoods
- temporary road narrowing with pavement markings
- raised crosswalks / Intersections
- temporary rubber speed cushions
- temporary curb extensions; and
3. That staff be directed to report back to Council by March 2024 the selection criteria and recommendations for six pilot neighbourhoods including which appropriate traffic calming and speed management approaches to test for each pilot; and
4. That staff work collaboratively with various city departments, Members of Council, external stakeholders, and partners to develop selection criteria and determine potential pilot sites; and
5. That staff develop criteria to evaluate the pilot projects and report back to Council by November 2024 with a plan to expand the pilot traffic calming measures that proved effective; and
6. That Council recommends that the 2024 Capital Budget include the costs associated with the implementation of the six traffic calming measures; and
7. That staff be directed to finalize the Traffic Operations and Safety Study providing a clear set of policies, procedures, and “tools” on how the City can efficiently and effectively address traffic safety going forward.