Traffic Calming Study: Washington Road, Fort Erie
Welcome to the Washington Road Traffic Calming Study Page!
Requests from residents for traffic calming on the this street were made before Traffic Calming Policy that was adopted by the Council in 2023.
Project Process
The project outcome will be a Traffic Calming Study Report, recommending traffic calming plans specific to each neighbourhood. These recommendations will be brought forward to Traffic Coordinating Committee and Council in 2024.
Welcome to the Washington Road Traffic Calming Study Page!
Requests from residents for traffic calming on the this street were made before Traffic Calming Policy that was adopted by the Council in 2023.
Project Process
The project outcome will be a Traffic Calming Study Report, recommending traffic calming plans specific to each neighbourhood. These recommendations will be brought forward to Traffic Coordinating Committee and Council in 2024.
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Study Area Profile
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The Town of Fort Erie is preparing a neighbourhood traffic calming plan for Washington Road between Dominion Road and Helena St in response to resident concerns. The map (at right) shows the section limits for the study.
Study Area Characteristics
The table below highlights key study area features and observed traffic conditions on Washington Road:
Characteristic
Washington Road
Dominion Road to Helena Street
Road Classification
Collector Road, Local Bicycle Network
Segment Length
400 m
Cross-Section (Sidewalks)
Two-lane Rural (None)
Two-way 24-Hour Traffic Volume*
2750 vehicles per day
Estimated Cut-Through Traffic
92%
Speed Limit
50 km/h
85th Percentile Operating Speed*
67.9 km/h
Vehicles Travelling at 10 km/h or More Over Speed Limit*
38.7%
Reported Collisions (Last 3 Years)
0
* Based on automated traffic count data collected by the Town between August 24 and August 30, 2022
Candidate Traffic Calming Measures
Using its Traffic Calming Toolkit, the Town has identified the following 10 candidate traffic calming measures to address speeding, then cut-through traffic as the priorities for the Concession Road neighbourhood traffic calming plan.
- Vertical Centreline Treatments
- Speed Cushions
- Curb Radius Reductions
- Curb Extensions
- Lane Narrowing
- Peripheral Transverse Bars
- On-Road ‘Sign’ Pavement Markings
- Intersection Channelization
- Right-in/Right-out Islands
- Speed Display Devices
The table below summarizes the assessment completed to identify the traffic calming measures, with the preferred treatments (ü) highlighted in gray. The remaining measures were characterized as either:
- Possible Option (p) – May be a candidate if the preferred treatments deemed not appropriate after further investigation; or
- Not Recommended (Ò) – Not suitable or feasible under the circumstances.
Selection and design of the final traffic calming measure(s) (including location and frequency, configuration, and materials) will require further detailed investigation. Resident and stakeholder input will also play an important role in confirming the final measures and developing the recommended Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plan.
Assessment of Potential Traffic Calming Measures
Measure
Considerations
Candidate
1. Vertical Deflection
1.1
Raised Crosswalk
Implement to facilitate pedestrian connections. Consider only if sidewalk on at least one side of road.
Ò
1.2
Raised Intersection
Site specific, considered as part of road reconstruction projects or new development
Ò
1.3
Speed Cushion
Primary measure
ü
1.4
Speed Hump/Speed Table
Implement where a speed cushion is not effective
p
2. Horizontal Deflection
2.1
Chicane (One-Lane, Two-Lane)2
Implement under special circumstances. Consider only if volume ≥ 750 vpd.
Ò
2.2
Curb Radius Reduction
Primary measure
ü
2.3
Lateral Shift
Primary measure
p
2.4
Speed Kidney
Implement under special circumstances. Midblock or Intersection.
Ò
2.5
Traffic Button/Traffic Circle/ Mini-Roundabout
Implement to address intersection conflicts (where space permits). Consider only if volume < 1,500 vpd.
Ò
3. Roadway Narrowing
3.1
Curb Extension
Primary measure
ü
3.2
Lane Narrowing
Primary measure
ü
3.3
On-Street Parking
Implement in accordance with Town by-laws
p
3.4
Raised Median Island
Implement where width permits and/or alongside reconstruction projects. Consider only on two-lane roads.
Ò
3.5.
Road Diet
Primary measure. Consider only on multi-lane roads.
Ò
3.6
Vertical Centreline Treatment
Primary measure. Consider only on two-lane roads.
ü
4. Surface Treatment
4.1
Sidewalk Extension/ Textured Crosswalk
Implement to facilitate pedestrian crossings, streetscape projects. Consider only if sidewalk on at least one side of road.
Ò
4.2
Textured Pavement
Consider in streetscape projects
Ò
4.3
Transverse Rumble Strips
Use with care on Local and Collector Roads
Ò
5. Pavement Markings
5.1
Converging Chevrons
Primary measure
p
5.2
Dragon’s Teeth
Primary measure
p
5.3
Full-lane Transverse Bars
Primary measure
p
5.4
On-Road ‘Sign’ Pavement Markings
Compliments other measures
ü
5.5
Peripheral Transverse Bars
Primary measure
ü
6. Access Restriction
6.1
Directional Closure
Consider for volume reduction within the context of the network design. Consider only if volume on Local < 1,500 vpd or Collector 1,500 – 5,000 vpd.
Ò
6.2
Diverter
Consider for volume reduction within the context of the network design. Consider only if volume < 1,500 vpd.
Ò
6.3
Full Closure
Consider for volume reduction within the context of the network design
Ò
6.4
Intersection Channelization
Consider for volume reduction within the context of the network design
ü
6.5
Raised Median Through Intersection
Consider for volume reduction within the context of the network design
p
6.6
Right-in/Right-out Island
Consider for volume reduction within the context of the network design
ü
7. Gateways
7.1
Gateways
Site specific, compliments other measures
p
8. Shared Space
8.1
Shared Space
Site specific, implemented as part of road reconstruction or new development. Consider only if volume < 15,000 vpd.
Ò
9. Enforcement and Education
9.1
Speed Display Devices
Use prior to implementing physical traffic calming and/or compliments other measures
ü
9.2
Targeted Speed Enforcement
Use prior to implementing physical traffic calming and/or compliments other measures
p
9.3
Targeted Education Campaign
Use prior to implementing physical traffic calming and/or compliments other measures
p
9.4
Vehicle Activated Signs
Use prior to implementing physical traffic calming and/or compliments other measures
p
Legend:
ü Preferred
p Possible Option
Ò Not Recommended
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2023 Traffic Calming Studies Background
Share 2023 Traffic Calming Studies Background on Facebook Share 2023 Traffic Calming Studies Background on Twitter Share 2023 Traffic Calming Studies Background on Linkedin Email 2023 Traffic Calming Studies Background linkThe Traffic Coordinating Committee received numerous requests regarding Traffic Calming from various parts of the town. In response, the Town of Fort Erie undertook an update to its Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Policy to ensure alignment with best practices while considering local context and available resources. This update included the development of a warrant process and a comprehensive traffic calming toolkit comprising strategies, measures, designs, engagement approaches, and public education initiatives. The Neighbourhood Traffic Calming policy was formally presented to the Council during the June 20 Council-in-Committee meeting, along with Administrative Report number IS-19-2022.
Following this established process, the project team is conducting assessments of current conditions and developing proposed traffic calming plans for each location to address neighbourhood traffic concerns. Public input is being actively solicited to inform the plans recommended to both the Traffic Coordinating Committee and the Council upon project completion.
In December 2023, Engineering staff presented to the Traffic Coordinating Committee to initiate the study and plan development for prioritized locations. Traffic calming priorities, including Concession Rd scoring 67 and Washington scoring 66 based on technical screening and analysis, were presented on May 31, 2023. Further data collection in 2023 revealed Farr Ave scoring 80.
A consultant was subsequently retained for plan development, marking Step 4 in the traffic calming policy, with various stakeholder inputs being integral to the process. Moving forward, the next steps involve hosting a Public Information Centre, which will be held online on Let's Talk Fort Erie. Surveys will also be made available during the Public Information Centre.
Follow Project
Who's Listening
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YG
Phone 905-871-1600 x 2421 Email YGandhi@forterie.ca -
JP
Phone 9058711600 x 2402 Email jpennellajie@forterie.ca