Traffic Calming

Find out what the town is doing to reduce speeding on neighbourhood roads and improve safety conditions.

Traffic calming is a term used to describe a combination of mostly physical features that are intended to reduce speeding on neighbourhood roads and improve safety conditions for everyone who uses the road. 

The traffic calming treatment available for a road depends on the classification of the road. Review the Residential Speed Survey map for road classifications.

  • For minor collector and local roads, some examples of traffic calming measures include speed cushions, roundabouts and flexible bollards.
  • Arterial and major collector roads are not eligible for physical traffic calming measures but may qualify for passive traffic calming features such as radar speed display signs.

These types of measures, if applied appropriately, can successfully reduce vehicle speeds and volumes in residential neighbourhoods. 

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Council receives 2023 Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program update

Request traffic calming measures on your street

Begin a request for traffic calming measures on your street to reduce excessive speeding or traffic volumes. 

Review the traffic calming implementation process

Physical (active) traffic calming measures

Curb extensions are one of the traffic calming measures implemented in the Town of Oakville to help reduce traffic speed and volume.

Curb extension

  • Widening of curb into roadway, typically at intersections to reduce vehicle speeds
  • Slows vehicles making turns and reduces crossing distance for pedestrians
  • Provides opportunity for visual/landscape enhancement
A literal shift is the realignment of a straight roadway through the combined use of medians, curb extensions, or chicanes.

Lateral shift

  • Realignment of a straight roadway
  • Combined use of medians, curb extensions, or chicanes 
  • Increases driver alertness (through increased driving complexity) and reduces vehicle speed when negotiating the clear path 
Raised centre medians are one of the traffic calming measures implemented in the Town of Oakville to help reduce traffic speed and volume.

Raised centre median

  • An elevated median constructed in the centre of the roadway
  • Helps slow traffic without reducing capacity, while providing visual aesthetic
  • Reduction in pedestrian-vehicle conflict
Traffic roundabouts are one of the traffic calming measures implemented in the Town of Oakville to help reduce traffic speed and volume.

Roundabout

  • A roundabout is a circular intersection where drivers travel counter-clockwise around a centre island
  • Aesthetically pleasing, while enhancing safety
  • Already implemented in several locations in Oakville
Concrete speed cushions are one of the traffic calming measures implemented in the Town of Oakville to help reduce traffic speed and volume.

Speed cushion

  • Features a centre 'knock-down' post allowing emergency vehicles to pass
  • Slows passenger vehicles via a small speed hump on roadway
  • Designed to accommodate wide wheelbase of emergency vehicles (easy passage)
  • Used on local and collector roads, and most school zones
Speed humps are one of the traffic calming measures implemented in the Town of Oakville to help reduce traffic speed and volume.

Speed hump

  • A raised area of a roadway, which causes the vertical upward movement of a passing vehicle
  • Speed humps reduce vehicle design speeds by making it uncomfortable to drive at high speeds
Traffic circles are one of the traffic calming measures implemented in the Town of Oakville to help reduce traffic speed and volume.

Traffic circle

  • An island located at the centre of an intersection
  • Requires vehicles to travel through the intersection in a counterclockwise direction around the island

Passive traffic calming measures

Pavement markings on roadways define space for vehicles through the use of edge lines and cycle lanes.

Pavement markings

  • Used on roadway used to define space for vehicles (edge lines, cycle lanes)
  • Clearly indicate driving space
  • Narrower driving lanes encourage drivers to slow down
Radar speed display signs are one of the traffic calming measures implemented in the Town of Oakville to help reduce traffic speed and volume.

Radar speed display sign

  • Displays speed of vehicle to its driver via an electronic display
  • Provides driver with feedback regarding vehicle operating speed
  • Can be permanently or temporarily installed
Transportation & Roads

Neighbourhood Traffic Safety Program

The Neighbourhood Safety Program is an ongoing effort to ensure Oakville’s residential streets are safe for all road users. 

Learn more about neighbourhood safety

Report a problem

Report potholes, obstructed sidewalks, neighbourhood traffic concerns and street light issues.

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