Traffic Calming 2024
The City of Fredericton regularly receives requests for traffic calming throughout the city. City staff evaluate these requests, and depending on a variety of factors, traffic calming can be a great solution to address speeding concerns. The city has a traffic calming policy in place that helps staff prioritize requests and in a way that factors in travel speeds, traffic volume, collision data, pedestrian infrastructure, etc. From this, a priority list is created and every year traffic calming is implemented based on available budgets.
Traffic calming measures will be implemented in the following neighborhoods during the 2024 construction season: Douglas Avenue, Canterbury Drive, and Highland Avenue.
What is traffic calming?
Traffic calming aims to reduce negative effects of vehicle use, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for non-motorized street users and residents.
For example, a traffic calming measure could be the installation of speed humps or speed cushions on residential streets. The installation of speed humps forces drivers to slow down, thereby reducing vehicle speeds and improving safety for pedestrians and other road users.
What will traffic calming look like in your neighborhood?
Douglas Avenue will see the installation of 7 new Speed Humps and 2 new Speed Cushions. Reference the map to see where these will be installed.
Canterbury Drive will see the installation of 8 Speed Cushions. Reference the map to see where these will be installed.
Highland Avenue will see the installation of 5 Speed Humps. Reference the map to see where these will be installed.
What is a Speed Hump VS a Speed Cushion?
A Speed Hump covers the entire width of the road, forcing traffic to slow their speed to travel over them comfortably
Speed Cushions are very similar to speed humps, but do not cover the entire width of the road. Speed Cushions have specifically spaced gaps to slow down passenger vehicles, but allow fire trucks to straddle the cushions, allowing them to keep their speed.
The City of Fredericton regularly receives requests for traffic calming throughout the city. City staff evaluate these requests, and depending on a variety of factors, traffic calming can be a great solution to address speeding concerns. The city has a traffic calming policy in place that helps staff prioritize requests and in a way that factors in travel speeds, traffic volume, collision data, pedestrian infrastructure, etc. From this, a priority list is created and every year traffic calming is implemented based on available budgets.
Traffic calming measures will be implemented in the following neighborhoods during the 2024 construction season: Douglas Avenue, Canterbury Drive, and Highland Avenue.
What is traffic calming?
Traffic calming aims to reduce negative effects of vehicle use, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for non-motorized street users and residents.
For example, a traffic calming measure could be the installation of speed humps or speed cushions on residential streets. The installation of speed humps forces drivers to slow down, thereby reducing vehicle speeds and improving safety for pedestrians and other road users.
What will traffic calming look like in your neighborhood?
Douglas Avenue will see the installation of 7 new Speed Humps and 2 new Speed Cushions. Reference the map to see where these will be installed.
Canterbury Drive will see the installation of 8 Speed Cushions. Reference the map to see where these will be installed.
Highland Avenue will see the installation of 5 Speed Humps. Reference the map to see where these will be installed.
What is a Speed Hump VS a Speed Cushion?
A Speed Hump covers the entire width of the road, forcing traffic to slow their speed to travel over them comfortably
Speed Cushions are very similar to speed humps, but do not cover the entire width of the road. Speed Cushions have specifically spaced gaps to slow down passenger vehicles, but allow fire trucks to straddle the cushions, allowing them to keep their speed.
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Share I would like to see speed limit reductions near playgrounds. Speed cushions don't seem to be helping on Cherry Avenue. Is this something that can be considered? on Facebook Share I would like to see speed limit reductions near playgrounds. Speed cushions don't seem to be helping on Cherry Avenue. Is this something that can be considered? on Twitter Share I would like to see speed limit reductions near playgrounds. Speed cushions don't seem to be helping on Cherry Avenue. Is this something that can be considered? on Linkedin Email I would like to see speed limit reductions near playgrounds. Speed cushions don't seem to be helping on Cherry Avenue. Is this something that can be considered? link
I would like to see speed limit reductions near playgrounds. Speed cushions don't seem to be helping on Cherry Avenue. Is this something that can be considered?
MarjL asked about 1 month agoThank you for your question! Speed limit reduction zones are legislated to only be for school zones, this is part of the provincial Motor Vehicle Act. However City Staff are currently looking into implementing neighbourhood speed limit reductions that would likely overlap with parks. If you have further questions please reach out to traffic@fredericton.ca.
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Share Good day, I am also interested in traffic calming measures for Pugh St. I live nearby on Cherry Ave. My family sometimes uses Pugh St. when walking or biking home from Main St. Thank you. on Facebook Share Good day, I am also interested in traffic calming measures for Pugh St. I live nearby on Cherry Ave. My family sometimes uses Pugh St. when walking or biking home from Main St. Thank you. on Twitter Share Good day, I am also interested in traffic calming measures for Pugh St. I live nearby on Cherry Ave. My family sometimes uses Pugh St. when walking or biking home from Main St. Thank you. on Linkedin Email Good day, I am also interested in traffic calming measures for Pugh St. I live nearby on Cherry Ave. My family sometimes uses Pugh St. when walking or biking home from Main St. Thank you. link
Good day, I am also interested in traffic calming measures for Pugh St. I live nearby on Cherry Ave. My family sometimes uses Pugh St. when walking or biking home from Main St. Thank you.
Mike Stockford asked about 1 month agoThank you for showing an interest in Traffic Calming! Pugh Street is one of the streets on the list for the City's traffic engineers to collect data and assess. If you have additional questions please reach out to traffic@fredericton.ca.
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Share Do you have plans to calm traffic on the North side? It seems the North has more high speed traffic between residential areas than on the South. on Facebook Share Do you have plans to calm traffic on the North side? It seems the North has more high speed traffic between residential areas than on the South. on Twitter Share Do you have plans to calm traffic on the North side? It seems the North has more high speed traffic between residential areas than on the South. on Linkedin Email Do you have plans to calm traffic on the North side? It seems the North has more high speed traffic between residential areas than on the South. link
Do you have plans to calm traffic on the North side? It seems the North has more high speed traffic between residential areas than on the South.
DylanC asked about 1 month agoOf course we do! Traffic Calming is a city wide initiative. Residents can request traffic calming on any street that they live on and it will be ranked based on measured speeds, volumes and pedestrian infrastructure. If you feel like the street you live on should be assessed please email Traffic@fredericton.ca and engineering staff will look into it for you!
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Share Would it be possible to add either another round-about or speedbumps/-humps on Saint John Street between George and Church? Cars that are driving up and down the street sometimes 'race' more than 'drive' and if I would have to guess, speeds go up to 50-60 km/h. We have witnessed so many 'near misses' with children crossing the roads, cars or regular pedestrians, it's a wonder that nobody has been hit or worse yet. PLEASE consider adding traffic calming measures up our street. Thank you Corinna Hardy on Facebook Share Would it be possible to add either another round-about or speedbumps/-humps on Saint John Street between George and Church? Cars that are driving up and down the street sometimes 'race' more than 'drive' and if I would have to guess, speeds go up to 50-60 km/h. We have witnessed so many 'near misses' with children crossing the roads, cars or regular pedestrians, it's a wonder that nobody has been hit or worse yet. PLEASE consider adding traffic calming measures up our street. Thank you Corinna Hardy on Twitter Share Would it be possible to add either another round-about or speedbumps/-humps on Saint John Street between George and Church? Cars that are driving up and down the street sometimes 'race' more than 'drive' and if I would have to guess, speeds go up to 50-60 km/h. We have witnessed so many 'near misses' with children crossing the roads, cars or regular pedestrians, it's a wonder that nobody has been hit or worse yet. PLEASE consider adding traffic calming measures up our street. Thank you Corinna Hardy on Linkedin Email Would it be possible to add either another round-about or speedbumps/-humps on Saint John Street between George and Church? Cars that are driving up and down the street sometimes 'race' more than 'drive' and if I would have to guess, speeds go up to 50-60 km/h. We have witnessed so many 'near misses' with children crossing the roads, cars or regular pedestrians, it's a wonder that nobody has been hit or worse yet. PLEASE consider adding traffic calming measures up our street. Thank you Corinna Hardy link
Would it be possible to add either another round-about or speedbumps/-humps on Saint John Street between George and Church? Cars that are driving up and down the street sometimes 'race' more than 'drive' and if I would have to guess, speeds go up to 50-60 km/h. We have witnessed so many 'near misses' with children crossing the roads, cars or regular pedestrians, it's a wonder that nobody has been hit or worse yet. PLEASE consider adding traffic calming measures up our street. Thank you Corinna Hardy
Corinna Hardy asked 3 months agoThank you for your suggestion! City staff will look into this and collect data to see if additional traffic calming measures are required. Specific to the idea of more traffic calming circles. We would not be able to install any more like that in this area because they do affect the ability for fire trucks to enter. It works for the fire department now but additional ones would not. Should you have additional questions or wish to follow up after staff investigate, please reach out to traffic@fredericton.ca.
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Share Since Pugh Street is dug up right now, can the city please consider narrowing it? At least some sort of modal filter is needed. I second Maggie Smith's comment about how people are using Pugh as a way to get around traffic on Main and often speed. As there is often no immediate connection to the walking trail at the bottom of every one of the side streets (Cedar, Willow, Oak, etc.) People (Re: citizens, children, elderly... everyone outside of a car) is forced to walk in the road for at least some distance. My wife and I were almost hit by a truck last year. I know the designs are being implemented right now, so narrowing the street is likely not going to happen, but if you can find some way to include a modal filter in the rebuild, and a sidewalk of sorts, that would be appreciated. Considering that we want these streets to be walkable to the redesigned Main Street, we should consider people on foot and bike as part of the design. Cheers! on Facebook Share Since Pugh Street is dug up right now, can the city please consider narrowing it? At least some sort of modal filter is needed. I second Maggie Smith's comment about how people are using Pugh as a way to get around traffic on Main and often speed. As there is often no immediate connection to the walking trail at the bottom of every one of the side streets (Cedar, Willow, Oak, etc.) People (Re: citizens, children, elderly... everyone outside of a car) is forced to walk in the road for at least some distance. My wife and I were almost hit by a truck last year. I know the designs are being implemented right now, so narrowing the street is likely not going to happen, but if you can find some way to include a modal filter in the rebuild, and a sidewalk of sorts, that would be appreciated. Considering that we want these streets to be walkable to the redesigned Main Street, we should consider people on foot and bike as part of the design. Cheers! on Twitter Share Since Pugh Street is dug up right now, can the city please consider narrowing it? At least some sort of modal filter is needed. I second Maggie Smith's comment about how people are using Pugh as a way to get around traffic on Main and often speed. As there is often no immediate connection to the walking trail at the bottom of every one of the side streets (Cedar, Willow, Oak, etc.) People (Re: citizens, children, elderly... everyone outside of a car) is forced to walk in the road for at least some distance. My wife and I were almost hit by a truck last year. I know the designs are being implemented right now, so narrowing the street is likely not going to happen, but if you can find some way to include a modal filter in the rebuild, and a sidewalk of sorts, that would be appreciated. Considering that we want these streets to be walkable to the redesigned Main Street, we should consider people on foot and bike as part of the design. Cheers! on Linkedin Email Since Pugh Street is dug up right now, can the city please consider narrowing it? At least some sort of modal filter is needed. I second Maggie Smith's comment about how people are using Pugh as a way to get around traffic on Main and often speed. As there is often no immediate connection to the walking trail at the bottom of every one of the side streets (Cedar, Willow, Oak, etc.) People (Re: citizens, children, elderly... everyone outside of a car) is forced to walk in the road for at least some distance. My wife and I were almost hit by a truck last year. I know the designs are being implemented right now, so narrowing the street is likely not going to happen, but if you can find some way to include a modal filter in the rebuild, and a sidewalk of sorts, that would be appreciated. Considering that we want these streets to be walkable to the redesigned Main Street, we should consider people on foot and bike as part of the design. Cheers! link
Since Pugh Street is dug up right now, can the city please consider narrowing it? At least some sort of modal filter is needed. I second Maggie Smith's comment about how people are using Pugh as a way to get around traffic on Main and often speed. As there is often no immediate connection to the walking trail at the bottom of every one of the side streets (Cedar, Willow, Oak, etc.) People (Re: citizens, children, elderly... everyone outside of a car) is forced to walk in the road for at least some distance. My wife and I were almost hit by a truck last year. I know the designs are being implemented right now, so narrowing the street is likely not going to happen, but if you can find some way to include a modal filter in the rebuild, and a sidewalk of sorts, that would be appreciated. Considering that we want these streets to be walkable to the redesigned Main Street, we should consider people on foot and bike as part of the design. Cheers!
Jeffrey St-Pierre asked 2 months agoThanks for the question! Pugh is the width to accommodate 1 lane of parking and 2 lanes of traffic, you are correct that it’s a bit late for the street width to change but staff will certainly look into some other options to improve the cycling and pedestrian facilities in this phase and future phases!
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Share Have you explored other means of traffic calming other than speed bumps/speed cushions? These forms of "calming" only serve to slow a driver down at the point of the speed bump, then they speed up until they reach the next one. Options such as narrowing roads, placing a curve in the road, or building a flower bed in the middle of the road will naturally cause drivers to slow down due to perception. I would encourage you to find The Happy Urbanist on TikTok who is running for mayor of Chattanooga, TN and has many fantastic ideas to make streets safer without encouraging further bad driving behaviours. on Facebook Share Have you explored other means of traffic calming other than speed bumps/speed cushions? These forms of "calming" only serve to slow a driver down at the point of the speed bump, then they speed up until they reach the next one. Options such as narrowing roads, placing a curve in the road, or building a flower bed in the middle of the road will naturally cause drivers to slow down due to perception. I would encourage you to find The Happy Urbanist on TikTok who is running for mayor of Chattanooga, TN and has many fantastic ideas to make streets safer without encouraging further bad driving behaviours. on Twitter Share Have you explored other means of traffic calming other than speed bumps/speed cushions? These forms of "calming" only serve to slow a driver down at the point of the speed bump, then they speed up until they reach the next one. Options such as narrowing roads, placing a curve in the road, or building a flower bed in the middle of the road will naturally cause drivers to slow down due to perception. I would encourage you to find The Happy Urbanist on TikTok who is running for mayor of Chattanooga, TN and has many fantastic ideas to make streets safer without encouraging further bad driving behaviours. on Linkedin Email Have you explored other means of traffic calming other than speed bumps/speed cushions? These forms of "calming" only serve to slow a driver down at the point of the speed bump, then they speed up until they reach the next one. Options such as narrowing roads, placing a curve in the road, or building a flower bed in the middle of the road will naturally cause drivers to slow down due to perception. I would encourage you to find The Happy Urbanist on TikTok who is running for mayor of Chattanooga, TN and has many fantastic ideas to make streets safer without encouraging further bad driving behaviours. link
Have you explored other means of traffic calming other than speed bumps/speed cushions? These forms of "calming" only serve to slow a driver down at the point of the speed bump, then they speed up until they reach the next one. Options such as narrowing roads, placing a curve in the road, or building a flower bed in the middle of the road will naturally cause drivers to slow down due to perception. I would encourage you to find The Happy Urbanist on TikTok who is running for mayor of Chattanooga, TN and has many fantastic ideas to make streets safer without encouraging further bad driving behaviours.
Sarah Bernard asked 2 months agoThank you for sharing your ideas and showing an interest in traffic calming! The City is aware of speed cushions causing people to speed up in between and that is why on Douglas Avenue, Highland Avenue and Canterbury Drive there are numerous speed cushions throughout the length of the street to mitigate that issue. Narrowing roads, placing a curve in the road, or adding a flower bed are all excellent ideas and however they are best suited to be implemented when the street is up for infrastructure renewal and will be rebuilt entirely.
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Share What quality control measures are being used as the speed humps are being installed/ constructed on Douglas Ave to ensure the height is 75mm as stated as the design specs for the correct height? on Facebook Share What quality control measures are being used as the speed humps are being installed/ constructed on Douglas Ave to ensure the height is 75mm as stated as the design specs for the correct height? on Twitter Share What quality control measures are being used as the speed humps are being installed/ constructed on Douglas Ave to ensure the height is 75mm as stated as the design specs for the correct height? on Linkedin Email What quality control measures are being used as the speed humps are being installed/ constructed on Douglas Ave to ensure the height is 75mm as stated as the design specs for the correct height? link
What quality control measures are being used as the speed humps are being installed/ constructed on Douglas Ave to ensure the height is 75mm as stated as the design specs for the correct height?
Jim Samms asked 3 months agoThank you for reaching out. The target height is 75mm-80mm but City Staff will survey them and confirm they were built to the target heights.
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Share Is there a specific height for these new speed bumps on Douglas ave are suppose to have? They seem very aggressive compared to the older ones on the street. Driving over them creates a huge jolt even when going pretty slow. on Facebook Share Is there a specific height for these new speed bumps on Douglas ave are suppose to have? They seem very aggressive compared to the older ones on the street. Driving over them creates a huge jolt even when going pretty slow. on Twitter Share Is there a specific height for these new speed bumps on Douglas ave are suppose to have? They seem very aggressive compared to the older ones on the street. Driving over them creates a huge jolt even when going pretty slow. on Linkedin Email Is there a specific height for these new speed bumps on Douglas ave are suppose to have? They seem very aggressive compared to the older ones on the street. Driving over them creates a huge jolt even when going pretty slow. link
Is there a specific height for these new speed bumps on Douglas ave are suppose to have? They seem very aggressive compared to the older ones on the street. Driving over them creates a huge jolt even when going pretty slow.
Emma Tompkins asked 3 months agoThanks for reaching out! The target height is 75mm-80mm but City Staff will survey them and confirm they were built to the target heights.
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Share The number of speed cushions proposed for Canterbury seems excessive. Also some reading I have done suggests that speed bumps (of all kinds) and multi-way stops are not as effective as other methods of controlling speeds because drivers tend to go even faster between the bumps or stop signs. What other methods of speed reduction were considered for Canterbury (intersection narrowing? raised intersections? mini-roundabouts (a la Charlotte St.)? true bike lanes? etc.) (The painted bike lanes are ignored by most drivers as the worn paint indicates.) on Facebook Share The number of speed cushions proposed for Canterbury seems excessive. Also some reading I have done suggests that speed bumps (of all kinds) and multi-way stops are not as effective as other methods of controlling speeds because drivers tend to go even faster between the bumps or stop signs. What other methods of speed reduction were considered for Canterbury (intersection narrowing? raised intersections? mini-roundabouts (a la Charlotte St.)? true bike lanes? etc.) (The painted bike lanes are ignored by most drivers as the worn paint indicates.) on Twitter Share The number of speed cushions proposed for Canterbury seems excessive. Also some reading I have done suggests that speed bumps (of all kinds) and multi-way stops are not as effective as other methods of controlling speeds because drivers tend to go even faster between the bumps or stop signs. What other methods of speed reduction were considered for Canterbury (intersection narrowing? raised intersections? mini-roundabouts (a la Charlotte St.)? true bike lanes? etc.) (The painted bike lanes are ignored by most drivers as the worn paint indicates.) on Linkedin Email The number of speed cushions proposed for Canterbury seems excessive. Also some reading I have done suggests that speed bumps (of all kinds) and multi-way stops are not as effective as other methods of controlling speeds because drivers tend to go even faster between the bumps or stop signs. What other methods of speed reduction were considered for Canterbury (intersection narrowing? raised intersections? mini-roundabouts (a la Charlotte St.)? true bike lanes? etc.) (The painted bike lanes are ignored by most drivers as the worn paint indicates.) link
The number of speed cushions proposed for Canterbury seems excessive. Also some reading I have done suggests that speed bumps (of all kinds) and multi-way stops are not as effective as other methods of controlling speeds because drivers tend to go even faster between the bumps or stop signs. What other methods of speed reduction were considered for Canterbury (intersection narrowing? raised intersections? mini-roundabouts (a la Charlotte St.)? true bike lanes? etc.) (The painted bike lanes are ignored by most drivers as the worn paint indicates.)
Stephen MacKay asked 3 months agoThat’s a great question! The reason why there are so many is exactly for the reason you described. If you put one or two on a street vehicles speed up and slow down in between. When they are spaced tightly enough drivers keep a more consistent speed. As for other options, yes, we certainly have looked at other options over the years. Every type of traffic calming has benefits and drawbacks, in this case speed cushions were the most cost effective and cover the entire corridor. Someday when Canterbury is completely rebuilt for infrastructure replacement we definitely will be looking at other options.
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Share The new speed bumps placed on Douglas Avenue are far too large. I dropped down to 25km and my vehicle's front end still hit the ground far too hard. Is the city going to come check the work completed to ensure they were made properly? on Facebook Share The new speed bumps placed on Douglas Avenue are far too large. I dropped down to 25km and my vehicle's front end still hit the ground far too hard. Is the city going to come check the work completed to ensure they were made properly? on Twitter Share The new speed bumps placed on Douglas Avenue are far too large. I dropped down to 25km and my vehicle's front end still hit the ground far too hard. Is the city going to come check the work completed to ensure they were made properly? on Linkedin Email The new speed bumps placed on Douglas Avenue are far too large. I dropped down to 25km and my vehicle's front end still hit the ground far too hard. Is the city going to come check the work completed to ensure they were made properly? link
The new speed bumps placed on Douglas Avenue are far too large. I dropped down to 25km and my vehicle's front end still hit the ground far too hard. Is the city going to come check the work completed to ensure they were made properly?
Tiffany Buckler asked 3 months agoThank you for your comments. The target height is 75mm-80mm but City Staff will survey them and confirm they were built to the target heights.
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