Traffic Calming Around Schools

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Consultation has concluded

New speed bump is pictured on the road beside a school building

Project Update, April 2023: The City’s consultant is continuing work to finalize designs for permanent traffic calming measures around schools in New Westminster. The permanent designs will reflect feedback from last year’s engagement participants:

  • the 30 km/h pavement markings will be replaced with a clearer, more durable design
  • the design for permanent curb extensions will be adjusted to strike a balance between vehicle maneuvering and prioritizing pedestrians
  • permanent curb extensions will use concrete to replace the current flexible white posts, which we have heard are not visually appealing

In addition, a few speed humps are still to be installed in areas where we are waiting for other construction projects to be completed. No significant changes are expected for the pick-up/drop-off signage.

Installation of the permanent measures is expected to begin later in 2023, starting with replacing the 30 km/h pavement markings. Busier streets will be prioritized for installing the permanent measures. The temporary measures will be replaced gradually over the next few years.

Project Update, October 20, 2022: Engagement participants and community members are now invited to review the survey results! A total of 188 residents completed the traffic calming survey. Click here for the full survey report. You can also read the discussion forum comments at any time.

The project team is still working to analyze and apply your input. Stay tuned for more details on how your feedback will inform the updated traffic calming designs for each school. Again, thank you to everyone who took the time to share their feedback with us.

The City has almost completed installing new traffic-calming measures at 14 school zones across New Westminster. The measures are designed to be low-cost and temporary, and will help create safer school zones in a rapid fashion. Once you have had an opportunity to experience the changes, we are seeking community feedback to help inform the permanent designs.

Creating safe routes to school is an important factor in reducing GHG emissions and achieving the City’s goal of a zero carbon future by 2050. The new traffic calming measures are also in support of the City’s 7 Bold Steps – specifically Step 2, Car Light Community, and Step 7, Quality People-Centered Public Realm.

To design the interim traffic calming measures, existing traffic control, calming measures and curbside regulations at each school location were reviewed. In addition, we reviewed previous planning efforts to improve traffic safety around schools, including:

  • School Travel Plans developed by Hub for Active School Travel (HASTe) and HUB: Your Cycling Connection
  • Toolkit of school traffic safety measures developed by the former Neighbourhood Traffic Advisory Committee (now Sustainable Transportation Advisory Committee)
  • Conceptual designs for the five elementary schools and one middle school previously completed by City staff

The interim traffic calming measures have also been informed by best practices to improve school safety and facilitate active transportation from regional, national and international examples.

Click here for details on the specific changes in progress / completed at each school zone.


How can I engage?

Your feedback will help the City’s Transportation Department understand how effective the temporary measures are at creating safer school zones, and if there have been any unintended consequences after their installation. The feedback from this engagement will help inform updated traffic calming designs for each school as we replace the temporary measures with permanent fixtures starting in 2023.

Installation of the new traffic calming measures is still underway, and different features will be installed at different times around your neighbourhood school(s). A survey and discussion forum have been created to gather feedback on the temporary measures. Please share your feedback once you have had a chance to experience the completed changes. The survey and discussion forum will be open through the end-of-day August 21, 2022.

Project Update, April 2023: The City’s consultant is continuing work to finalize designs for permanent traffic calming measures around schools in New Westminster. The permanent designs will reflect feedback from last year’s engagement participants:

  • the 30 km/h pavement markings will be replaced with a clearer, more durable design
  • the design for permanent curb extensions will be adjusted to strike a balance between vehicle maneuvering and prioritizing pedestrians
  • permanent curb extensions will use concrete to replace the current flexible white posts, which we have heard are not visually appealing

In addition, a few speed humps are still to be installed in areas where we are waiting for other construction projects to be completed. No significant changes are expected for the pick-up/drop-off signage.

Installation of the permanent measures is expected to begin later in 2023, starting with replacing the 30 km/h pavement markings. Busier streets will be prioritized for installing the permanent measures. The temporary measures will be replaced gradually over the next few years.

Project Update, October 20, 2022: Engagement participants and community members are now invited to review the survey results! A total of 188 residents completed the traffic calming survey. Click here for the full survey report. You can also read the discussion forum comments at any time.

The project team is still working to analyze and apply your input. Stay tuned for more details on how your feedback will inform the updated traffic calming designs for each school. Again, thank you to everyone who took the time to share their feedback with us.

The City has almost completed installing new traffic-calming measures at 14 school zones across New Westminster. The measures are designed to be low-cost and temporary, and will help create safer school zones in a rapid fashion. Once you have had an opportunity to experience the changes, we are seeking community feedback to help inform the permanent designs.

Creating safe routes to school is an important factor in reducing GHG emissions and achieving the City’s goal of a zero carbon future by 2050. The new traffic calming measures are also in support of the City’s 7 Bold Steps – specifically Step 2, Car Light Community, and Step 7, Quality People-Centered Public Realm.

To design the interim traffic calming measures, existing traffic control, calming measures and curbside regulations at each school location were reviewed. In addition, we reviewed previous planning efforts to improve traffic safety around schools, including:

  • School Travel Plans developed by Hub for Active School Travel (HASTe) and HUB: Your Cycling Connection
  • Toolkit of school traffic safety measures developed by the former Neighbourhood Traffic Advisory Committee (now Sustainable Transportation Advisory Committee)
  • Conceptual designs for the five elementary schools and one middle school previously completed by City staff

The interim traffic calming measures have also been informed by best practices to improve school safety and facilitate active transportation from regional, national and international examples.

Click here for details on the specific changes in progress / completed at each school zone.


How can I engage?

Your feedback will help the City’s Transportation Department understand how effective the temporary measures are at creating safer school zones, and if there have been any unintended consequences after their installation. The feedback from this engagement will help inform updated traffic calming designs for each school as we replace the temporary measures with permanent fixtures starting in 2023.

Installation of the new traffic calming measures is still underway, and different features will be installed at different times around your neighbourhood school(s). A survey and discussion forum have been created to gather feedback on the temporary measures. Please share your feedback once you have had a chance to experience the completed changes. The survey and discussion forum will be open through the end-of-day August 21, 2022.

Consultation has concluded

  • List of Traffic Calming Measures by School

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    The following is a list of traffic calming measures and their installation status for each of the 14 schools. Please check back often for updates as installations are completed.

    Items will be marked with a ✅ once installation has been completed.

    ✅ Connaught Heights Elementary School

    • ✅Two new speed humps on London St.
    • ✅ Curb extensions at London St. and 23rd Ave., and 9th St. and 23rd Ave.
    • ✅Five large yellow school zone pavement markings
    • ✅ Replace existing large school zone signs with new ones
    • ✅ Highlight existing stop signs and school zone signs with red or yellow reflective strips on the poles


    ✅ John Knox Secondary School

    • ✅ Curb extensions at 12th St and 3rd Ave
    • ✅ Painted median on 12th St adjacent to the bus stop in front of the school
    • ✅ Three large yellow school zone pavement markings
    • ✅ Highlight the existing school zone signs with yellow reflective strips on the poles


    New Westminster Secondary School

    • ✅ Two large yellow school zone pavement markings
    • ✅ Highlight new school zone signs with yellow reflective strips on the poles
    • ✅ Improve the parking restrictions at the new signalized intersection on 6th St by increasing the restricted parking zone and adding flexible bollards (combination of signs and flexible bollards)
    • ✅ One large school zone sign


    Fraser River Middle

    • ✅ Two new speed humps on Queens Ave
    • ✅ New raised crosswalk at 9th St
    • ✅ Curb extensions at Queens Ave. and 10th St.
    • ✅ Narrow the eastbound lane on Queens Ave.
    • ✅ Four large yellow school zone pavement markings
    • ✅ Replace existing large school zone signs with new ones, and add additional sign
    • ✅ Highlight existing stop signs and school zone signs with red or yellow reflective strips on the poles


    F.H. Howay Elementary

    • ✅ Two new speed humps on Courtney Crescent
    • ✅ Curb extensions at Cumberland and Rickman
    • ✅ Four large yellow school zone pavement markings
    • Replace existing large school zone signs with new ones
    • ✅ Highlight some of the existing stop signs and school zone signs with red or yellow reflective strips on the poles


    Glenbrook Middle

    • Two new speed humps on Park Cresc.
    • ✅ Curb extensions with street art at Park Cresc. and 7th Ave.
    • ✅ Three large yellow school zone pavement markings
    • ✅ Highlight existing stop signs and school zone signs with red or yellow reflective strips on the poles


    Herbert Spencer Elementary

    • ✅ Two new speed humps on 1st St
    • ✅ Curb extensions at Princess and 2nd St., Princess and 1st St., 6th Ave and 2nd St. and 6th Ave and 1st St.
    • ✅ Eight large yellow school zone pavement markings
    • ✅ Replace existing large school zone signs with new ones
    • ✅ Highlight existing stop signs and school zone signs with red or yellow reflective strips on the poles


    Lord Kelvin Elementary

    • ✅ Six new speed humps
      • Four on Hamilton
      • Two on 7th Ave
    • ✅ Curb extension at Hamilton & 10th St
    • ✅ Six large yellow school zone pavement markings
    • ✅ Replace existing large school zone signs with new ones
    • ✅ Highlight existing stop signs and school zone signs with red or yellow reflective strips on the poles


    Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary

    • ✅ Five new speed humps
      • Three on Hamilton
      • Two on 18th St
    • ✅ Narrowing the eastbound lane on 8th Ave
    • ✅ Nine large yellow school zone pavement markings
    • ✅ Replace existing large school zone signs with new ones
    • ✅ Highlight existing stop signs and school zone signs with red or yellow reflective strips on the poles


    QayQayt Elementary

    • ✅ Four large yellow school zone pavement markings
    • ✅ Install new large custom school zone signs
    • ✅ Highlight some of the existing stop signs and school zone signs with red or yellow reflective strips on the poles


    Queen Elizabeth Community School

    • ✅ Four large yellow school zone pavement markings
    • ✅ Install new large custom school zone signs
    • ✅ Highlight some of the existing stop signs and school zone signs with red or yellow reflective strips on the poles
    • ✅ New asphalt sidewalk and street lighting on the south side of Salter St.


    Queensborough Middle

    • ✅ New pedestrian path on the south side of Salter St
    • ✅ One large yellow school zone pavement marking
    • ✅ Replace existing school zone sign with new one
    • ✅ Highlight existing stop signs and school zone signs with red or yellow reflective strips on the poles


    Skow:wech Elementary School

    • Four new speed humps
      • ✅ Two on Shiles
      • Two on Richmond, to be installed after the Sewer Separation project is complete
    • ✅ Seven large yellow school zone pavement markings
    • ✅ Replace existing large school zone signs with new ones
    • ✅ Highlight some of the existing stop signs and school zone signs with red or yellow reflective strips on the poles
    • ✅ Signage to discourage parents from using Archer St to pick up and drop off students


    Urban Academy

    • ✅ New painted crosswalk along Rousseau
    • ✅ Highlight the existing school zone signs with yellow reflective strips on the poles
    • ✅ One large school zone sign