School area road safety improvements to facilitate active school travel in Kingston, Ontario

in progress

This project involves the implementation of road safety measures to facilitate and encourage increased rates of active school travel throughout the City of Kingston. The project outcomes are in line with City Council’s adopted Strategic Priorities, including the goal of enhancing public safety through active transportation with a focus on pedestrian access and enforcement. Importantly, the proposed investments build upon existing and expanding infrastructure and program elements of Kingston’s Active Transportation Master Plan to help achieve our ambitious Transportation Master Plan and Climate Leadership Plan mode share and sustainability targets. Specifically, the project includes the creation of nearly 40 Community Safety Zones (CSZs) at elementary and secondary schools throughout the city, along with proposed speed limit reductions from 40 to 30 km/h within the immediate vicinity of schools on residential streets, and from 50 to 40 km/h within surrounding residential neighbourhoods. Road pavement markings and school area warning signs will also be used to provide additional visual cues encouraging motorists to drive with caution through school areas where increased levels of vulnerable road users and pedestrian activity can be expected. Together, these measures bring a consistent level of baseline road safety to school areas in Kingston, while increased penalties for traffic offences within CSZs are anticipated to improve motorist compliance with speed limits, ultimately supporting higher rates of active school travel. This project complements and enhances the City’s existing Safe Routes to School and Crossing Guard programs, the recently adopted Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, our expanded Traffic Calming Program, and continued capital investment in active transportation expansion across the city. Implementation strongly supports Kingston’s Active Transportation Master Plan and the projects and programs funded through the Active Transportation Implementation Pl