Reduced-Speed Neighbourhood Pilot

At various points during the trial we will be collecting traffic data using pneumatic road tubes that record the speed of passing vehicles. We will compare this to the data we collected before the start of the trial. This data will tell us whether the lower posted speed limit leads to vehicles actually travelling more slowly.

The limits of each pilot area were chosen based on operational considerations like signage installation as well our ability to define a border. We chose Sandusky Drive and Kirkbridge Park as the northern limit as it provides a defined border to the pilot area.

The signs letting motorists know they are entering a school zone will remain in place in all four pilot neighbourhoods. 

• In the 30km/h neighbourhoods, the tab that indicates the time/day/month have been removed, along with the sign at the end of the school zone
• In the 40 km/h neighbourhoods, there will be no change to the school zone signage

Since these are still school zones, they can be enforced with photo radar vehicles.

The speed limit in existing reduced-speed school zones will remain 30 km/h and be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday from September to June. 

The pilot area maps for each neighbourhood show the approximate location of the school zones. These maps can be viewed in the document library. 

There is not yet a standardized best practice for reduced speed limits in residential areas; other Canadian cities have been inconsistent in their approach with some using 30 km/h and others using 40 km/h as the standard speed through residential neighbourhoods. Before we make a recommendation on the future of speed limits in residential areas across Winnipeg, we feel it is our due diligence to test both speed limits to determine what works best for the Winnipeg context.

Throughout the trial we will be collecting traffic data using pneumatic road tubes that record the speed of passing vehicles. We will compare this to the data we collected before the start of the trial.

The Winnipeg Police Service can enforce the posted speed limit on any road as resources and priorities allow.

In 2022, Council approved the Winnipeg Road Safety Strategic Action Plan, which will serve as a roadmap for implementing both short-term solutions and long-term investments to ensure the City is doing its part in preventing serious injury and death on our roads.

The plan stresses the importance of a “safe systems” approach, which looks at how all components of a transportation system (road design, human behaviour, etc.) work together to ensure safer streets.  

The plan identifies five focus areas and 67 actions to help Winnipeg reach its goal of a 20 percent reduction in fatal and serious injury collisions over the next five years. Six of these actions are for reduced speeds, including the review of existing speed limits to ensure they are safe. A number are also included for public awareness and education.  

Learn more about this Council-approved plan, including actions in the Road Safety Culture Focus Area, at winnipeg.ca/roadsafetyplan

We know speed is top-of-mind for many Winnipeggers and that many have been advocating for lower speed limits throughout the city. We also know – based on other cities’ experiences and technical guidance – that reducing the posted speed limit in residential neighbourhoods can affect both safety and livability (or how the neighbourhood environment impacts residents’ quality of life).

We understand that your opinion on reduced speeds may have a lot to do with how you anticipate the change will impact you. Based on what we learned from other cities and what we know about time spent on residential roads, it’s unlikely you’ll even notice the difference on your daily commute. If you haven't already, we encourage you to explore the travel time estimator tool, FAQs, and the extensive background research which was conducted to provide you with current information.

For this pilot project, the speed limit on all collector and local / residential roads within the Worthington neighbourhood will be changed to 40 km/h and the existing reduced-speed school zones will remain 30 km/h and be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday from September to June.

St. Anne’s Road is classified as an arterial road. While testing speeds on arterial roads is not part of this project, the Winnipeg Road Safety Strategic Action Plan identified reviewing speed limits on some arterial streets as a priority since the majority of fatal and major injury collisions occur on arterial streets.

While the collision information we receive from MPI does not include the level of detail you are looking for, the Winnipeg Road Safety Strategic Action Plan found that between 2012 and 2018 collisions at intersections with local streets accounted for 29 percent of all fatal and major injury collisions. 

• 21 percent were between arterial and local streets
• Six percent were between collector and local streets
• Two percent were between two local streets

For more information, see section 2.3 Road Safety in Winnipeg of the Winnipeg Road Safety Strategic Action Plan.

The Reduced-Speed Neighbourhood Pilot will be looking at reduced speed limits within entire neighbourhoods, not just school zones. We want to know if and how a lower posted speed limit affects community members’ perceptions of safety, comfort, and neighbourhood liveability

We 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.