Traffic calming measures

The following is a list of traffic calming measures in detail. This is a good reference when community members are making traffic calming requests, and it is for educational purposes only, as city engineers will select the traffic calming measure that best suits the neighbourhood.

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Vertical measures

• Speed cushions - Raised pavement across the roadway with gaps allowing emergency vehicles to straddle them.
  • Advantages - slow passenger vehicles, allows emergency vehicles and buses to pass unimpeded
  • Challenges - slightly less effective than full-speed humps, can cause noise as vehicles speed up after passing them

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• Raised intersections and crosswalks - Elevating the entire intersection or crosswalk to sidewalk level to slow traffic and increase pedestrian visibility.
  • Advantages - improves pedestrian safety, enhances visibility
  • Challenges - may require drainage improvements
     

Horizontal measures

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• On-street parking - Vehicles parked along the curb reduce the apparent width of the street, encouraging drivers to slow down.
  • Advantages - utilizes existing infrastructure, increases pedestrian buffer
  • Challenges - Reduces visibility, can interfere with bike lane

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• Curb extensions/road narrowing - Extending the curb at intersections or mid-block to shorten crossing distance and narrow the roadway.
  • Advantages - improves pedestrian safety, slows turning vehicles
  • Challenges - can interfere with road drainage

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• Mini roundabout - Small circular intersection treatment to reduce vehicle speeds and improve flow at low-volume intersections.
  • Advantages - reduces collisions, maintains traffic flow
  • Challenges - requires space

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• Centre island (medium) - A raised island in the center of the roadway to narrow lanes and provide pedestrian refuge.
  • Advantages - calms traffic in both directions, safer crossings for pedestrians
  • Challenges - requires space

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• In-road flexible sign - Vertical signs placed directly in the roadway, usually near crosswalks or school zones, to alert drivers to yield or slow down. Often made of flexible plastic for impact resistance.
  • Advantages - increases driver awareness
  • Challenges - seasonal measure; requires removal during the winter season to allow for snow plowing operations 

Passive measures

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• Pavement markings - Painted elements such as edge lines, centerlines, pedestrian crossings, or "SLOW" messages to visually narrow roads or signal driver behavior.
  • Advantages - low-cost visual cue, can reinforce other measures
  • Challenges - less effective on their own, wears over time and needs regular maintenance

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• Speed display boards - Electronic signs that display a vehicle's speed and messages to encourage drivers to slow down if exceeding the posted speed limit.
  • Advantages - immediate driver feedback, effective in school zones
  • Challenges - may be less effective over time, not appropriate for all locations

Recent or ongoing projects

• Speed cushions on Kingsway Rd between Wonderland Rd. N. and Oakridge Dr. (2025)
• Speed cushions on Lawson Rd. between Queensborough Crt. and Journey Cross (2025)
• Speed cushions on Vancouver St. between Dundas St. and Wavell St. (2025)
• Speed cushions on Jalna Blvd. between Ernest Ave. and Bradley Ave. (2025)
• Permanent concrete islands on Wilkins St. (2024-2028)
• Curb extensions on Baker St.