Winnipeg will study whether reduced speed school zones should be expanded to include more streets around schools and some major commuter routes.<\/p>\n
The city’s public works committee voted Wednesday to direct staff to review the reduced-speed school zone program.<\/p>\n
The review will look at whether streets not directly adjacent to schools, but which serve as common walking routes for students, should qualify for 30 km\/h speed limits. It will also look at whether schools on regional roads \u2014 major streets with higher traffic volumes and speeds \u2014 should be eligible for reduced speeds.<\/p>\n
Old Kildonan Coun. Devi Sharma brought the motion forward after hearing concerns from parents and staff at R.F. Morrison, an elementary school in Garden City.<\/p>\n
She pointed to Buttercup Avenue, where a pathway leads from the street into the school’s green space.<\/p>\n
“A lot of students are using that route, and there is no 30K there,” Sharma said. “So there’s some concerns from the parents and from the school community.”<\/p>\n
Dale Fuga, whose two grandchildren are students at R.F. Morrison School, says having 50 km\/h limits on some streets near schools, while school zones are 30 km\/h, creates confusion for drivers dropping off kids.<\/p>\n
Students are “loading and unloading in cars” on 50 km\/h streets, “whereas in front of the school is 30 km\/h. And I just was wondering about the consistency of that,” he said.<\/p>\n
Under current rules, 30 km\/h school zones can only be established on lower-classification local and collector streets immediately adjacent to school property. Streets separated from schools by parks, community centres or other properties are generally excluded, even if they are heavily used by students.<\/p>\n
“If there’s a city park next to the school, and people are travelling through that park to get to the school, the roads that are around that park don’t qualify as reduced-speed school zone roads,” said David Patman, the city’s transportation manager.<\/p>\n
The study will also examine whether schools on regional roads should qualify for reduced-speed zones.<\/p>\n
Questions about traffic<\/p>\n
Patman acknowledged the idea raises questions about traffic flow, truck traffic and emergency vehicle access. He said staff will review practices in other Canadian cities and consult with the province before making recommendations.<\/p>\n
Not everyone on council supports expanding school zones.<\/p>\n
Mayor Scott Gillingham says he wants to see the study before taking a position.<\/p>\n
“I don’t believe 30 kilometres is reasonable for regional roads,” Gillingham said.<\/p>\n
Public works chair Janice Lukes supported studying the issue, but said she does not support reducing speed limits on regional roads near schools. She also worries the city could create a confusing patchwork of different speed limits.<\/p>\n
“I’d like to see a bigger-picture approach,” the Waverley West councillor said, suggesting Winnipeg instead move toward a default 40 km\/h residential speed limit while keeping 30 km\/h zones immediately surrounding schools.<\/p>\n