How traffic calming works

Traffic circles are used to reduce vehicle speed, and collisions.

Traffic calming helps to encourage safe driving by slowing the speed, and reducing the volume of street traffic. The City of Vancouver's priority areas for traffic calming projects are residential blocks with schools and parks.

There are three ways the City implements traffic calming measures in residential neighbourhoods:

Residents request the City pay for speed humps on roads near schools and City parks
Residents request the City install traffic circles, sidewalk, and curb bulges, or laneway speed humps, which the residents agree to pay for either in full, or in part
The City implements traffic diverters, separated lanes, and curb bulges as part of a community plan

What's happening

Prior St enhancements and pilot

Starting January 27, the first steps in a pilot project to address long-standing traffic safety concerns along Prior/Venables St will be taken.

The pilot is part of a Council direction in October 2019 to pilot measures to improve walkability, reduce vehicle speeds, and carry out traffic calming and is expected to be in place for approximately one year, to capture the changes in travel patterns and seasonal differences.

Prior St between Gore and Raymur avenues now have one travel-lane in each direction throughout the day including weekday mornings and afternoons. Previously, two travel lanes were available during peak times.

A reduction in speed to 30km/h has been implemented adjacent to Strathcona Park between Raymur and Hawks avenues.

We're working closely with Translink and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services to monitor and maintain service reliability and emergency response times in the area.

Learn more about the Prior St enhancements and pilot