Some Edmonton streets will see a drop in speed limit by 10 km/h. Some Edmontonians would like to see the limit further reduced, while others think the reduction is a case of misguided priorities.
In a 9-3 vote count, Edmonton City Council decided to reduce the speed limit in residential neighborhoods and busy pedestrian areas in the city from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.
"Council initially approved lowering the limit at a public hearing in March and directed administration to draft the necessary bylaws. Wednesday's statutory public hearing was a legal requirement before the city could make the change," reports Natasha Riebe.
The change comes in the face of widespread disagreement in the public. According to Riebe, city council meetings have been a hotbed of debate about the potential benefits of lowering the speed limit in Edmonton. Several city counselors have avidly canvassed for the speed limit reduction in recent years.
Still, others see the lowered speed limits as a step in the wrong direction.
"Dziadyk said council should have deferred the decision during the COVID-19 pandemic," Riebe writes, noting the opinion that the city council should have been focusing on more important issues during the pandemic.
Other opponents cite decreased productivity for delivery services and stunted advancement in technologies related to vehicle safety.
Nonetheless, Biebe says that by next summer, "the city will swap out 1,500 signs at a cost of $1.1 million, funded by the traffic safety automated enforcement reserve."
FULL STORY: Edmonton council approves 40 km/h residential speed limit
Santa Monica Lowers Speed Limits
Posted speed limits will be reduced by 5 miles per hour on dozens of the city’s streets.
Reducing Driving Speeds Requires More Than Lowering Posted Speed Limits
Without additional changes to roadway design, lower speed limits only slightly reduce driving speeds.
Chicago Could Join Other Cities in Lowering Speed Limits
Lowering speed limits by just 10 miles per hour can have a major impact on traffic safety.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service