{"id":39582,"date":"2025-04-27T01:30:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-27T01:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carsp.ca\/?p=39582"},"modified":"2025-05-14T22:32:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T22:32:49","slug":"slower-speeds-safer-streets-ottawas-commitment-to-road-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carsp.ca\/en\/news\/carsp-news\/slower-speeds-safer-streets-ottawas-commitment-to-road-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Slower Speeds, Safer Streets: Ottawa\u2019s Commitment to Road Safety"},"content":{"rendered":"By<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

Heidi Cousineau P.Eng.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Manager, Traffic, Safety & Mobility<\/span><\/p>\n

Traffic Services, City of Ottawa<\/span><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/b><\/p>\n

The City of Ottawa is advancing road safety through a multifaceted approach that integrates Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE), comprehensive traffic calming programs, and street design improvements. Rooted in the Safe Systems Approach, Ottawa\u2019s Road Safety Action Plan (RSAP) aims to reduce speeding, prevent fatal and major injury collisions, and create safer streets for all road users. Key initiatives currently include reducing speeding by expanding ASE in high-risk areas, implementing both temporary and permanent traffic calming measures, and designing residential streets for a 30 km\/h operating speed. This article explores Ottawa\u2019s data-driven strategies and the tangible impact these measures have on driver behavior and community safety.<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n

Slower speeds, safer streets\u2014Ottawa is taking significant steps to enhance road safety through automated enforcement, expanded traffic calming measures, and design improvements.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>City of Ottawa\u2019s Road Safety Action Plan (RSAP<\/b>)<\/b><\/a> is a data-driven strategy designed to improve road safety for all users by addressing key risk factors, including speeding. Rooted in the Safe Systems Approach, the RSAP focuses on engineering, enforcement, education, and culture change to reduce fatal and major injury collisions and create safer streets.<\/span><\/p>\n

To support this vision, the City of Ottawa has implemented several targeted initiatives aimed at managing vehicle speeds and enhancing road safety. These initiatives include <\/span>Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE), the Temporary Traffic Calming program, the Neighbourhood Traffic Calming<\/b> Program, and the 30 km\/h street design guidelines<\/b>, among others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE)<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

ASE is one of several tools used by the City of Ottawa to reduce speeds, modify driver behaviour, and enhance road safety.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Ottawa, speed cameras are strategically placed in\u00a0community safety zones near schools or parks\u2014areas where speeding poses a risk to our most vulnerable road users, particularly children.<\/span><\/p>\n

The City began with a pilot project of eight sites between July 2020 and July 2021. Following the evaluation of the pilot program, the City Council approved the ASE program in October 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n

A recent analysis of the initial ASE pilot sites demonstrates that the longer the speed cameras are in place at these locations:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n