Reduced-Speed Neighbourhood Pilot

People are talking about reduced speed limits in Canada and across the world. The Reduced-Speed Neighbourhood Pilot is bringing this conversation to Winnipeg, where speed limits are a hot topic. 

In 2020, the Traffic and Transportation Modernization Act gave the City authority to lower posted speed limits in areas where the default speed is 50 km/h 

• In 2019 Council authorized the administration to report on lowering the default speed limit, then amended the direction in 2021 to allow for trials in pilot neighbourhoods as part of this report
• Residents and stakeholders have long advocated for reduced speeds in residential areas, but the City does not have technical data nor robust public feedback to justify a blanket change without further study
• Technical guidance has evolved and Winnipeg is able to build on lessons learned in other jurisdictions where posted speed limits have been lowered
• Speed is now a Council-directed focus area as it was identified as a priority in the Road Safety Strategic Action Plan approved by Council in 2022

Some studies show reducing the posted speed limit in residential neighbourhoods affects quality of life and liveability. Livability looks at how a neighbourhood's physical environment contributes to quality of life. Physical environment includes things like geographic layout, road conditions, speeds, and available amenities. Some of the livability factors speed has been shown to change include residents’ perception of safety, comfort, walking and cycling rates, and overall enjoyment of their community. But what would changing the posted speed limits in residential neighbourhoods here actually mean for Winnipeggers?

 The Reduced-Speed Neighbourhood Pilot wants to answer that, by figuring out three things: 

1. Whether a lower posted speed limit means vehicles actually travel more slowly  
2. If and how a lower posted speed limit affects community members’ perceptions of safety, comfort, and neighbourhood liveability
3. If lower posted speed limits lead people living in the area to travel more often by walking, rolling, or cycling (or other active modes) 

This pilot will look at traffic data as well as Winnipeggers’ opinions, perceptions, and feelings to get an idea of the potential city-wide impact and to form recommendations for the future of speed limits in residential areas. 

It consists of four key components: 

• Conducting pre-pilot research to determine current operating speeds and residents’ feelings and opinions – this is where we are now
• Implementing the speed limit change – this will happen in March 2023
• Evaluating how drivers’ behaviour changes (actual vehicle speeds), whether changing the speed limit changes how residents experience their neighbourhood (livability), and how Winnipeggers at large feel about speed limits (public opinion) – this will happen in early 2024
• Developing recommendations for the future of speed limits in residential areas across Winnipeg – this will happen in mid- to late-2024