Two options for residential roads

The City is requesting your feedback on two speed limit options. Both of these options reduce speeds on class 4 and 5 (local and minor collector) residential roads and school zones. To understand exactly which roads are Class 4 and 5 roads under consideration for these options, please refer to this PDF map. We also have a list of Class 4 and 5 roads in the City of Waterloo, by neighbourhood.

Generally speaking, Class 4 and 5 roads are local and minor collector roads. Local roads provide access to residential properties, typically have low traffic volumes and low traffic speeds. Minor collector roads provide access to residential properties, connect local roads to higher order roads, and have medium traffic volumes. Although we tend to think of roads as designed for vehicles, they are also used by cyclists and, in areas without sidewalks, by pedestrians. Even those cyclists and pedestrians looking to stay off of roads as much as possible must still cross them. Particularly in residential areas, cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users (such as children and the elderly) are all sharing very close space with vehicles (moving and parked).

Option A: 40 km/h speed limit on residential roads with 30 km/h school zones

This scenario proposes reducing the posted speed limit on all class 4 and 5 roads to 40 km/h with 30 km/h school zones, as identified on this PDF map. Signs would be posted at the entrance to neighbourhoods, indicating that the area is a 40 km/h zone. All school zones, except those on Regional Roads not controlled by the city, would be 30 km/h zones. The remainder of city streets would remain either as currently signed or as default 50 km/h.

The change in the posted speed between school zones and residential areas is meant to raise driver awareness to the specific areas where there is a large number of vulnerable road users.

Option B: 30 km/h speed limit on residential roads and in school zones

This scenario proposes reducing the posted speed limit on all class 4 and 5 (local and minor collector) roads and school zones to 30 km/h, as identified on this PDF map. All school zones, except those on Regional Roads not controlled by the city, would be 30 km/h zones. The remainder of city streets local and residential streets would remain either as currently signed or as default 50 km/h.

To help understand the potential impacts these scenarios might have on travel times, please try our estimated travel time tool.

Share your thoughts on these two options with our project team through our survey. In addition to our public survey, the project team is also in discussion with various transportation professionals to get their thoughts as well.