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About this project

The City of Kelowna is reviewing opportunities to implement traffic calming measures in the Hollydell neighbourhood. Through a neighbourhood traffic calming study, the Project Team will make recommendations so people who drive, walk, bike, and roll are safer and more comfortable in the neighbourhood.

Traffic calming studies are an important way for the City to evaluate neighbourhood road safety and improve traffic management. We aim to improve the quality of life of residents in the Hollydell Neighbourhood by creating safer and more attractive streets for everyone.

What is traffic calming?

Traffic calming refers to various physical measures that reduce the negative impacts of vehicles on neighbourhood streets. Discouraging speeding and other related issues create safer and more comfortable environments for all neighbourhood residents and user groups.

Some examples of traffic calming measures are:

  • Speed humps
  • Raised Crosswalk
  • Chicanes
  • Curb extension
  • Speed cushion
  • Traffic circle
  • Medians
Examples of traffic calming treatments

You can learn more about the City of Kelowna's traffic calming program here.


Get Involved - CLOSED

Neighbourhood Engagement Phase 1 – Understanding existing road safety conditions

Are you a neighbourhood resident? Do you or your children go to school in the neighbourhood?

We invite you to get involved early to share your feedback to inform this traffic calming study. There are several opportunities to share your feedback:

Drop-In at the Community Open House
Join us and share your ideas with members of the Project Team. Refreshments provided.
    • Date: November 1st, 2023
    • Time: 4:00-7:00 PM
    • Location: Rutland Centennial Hall
    • Address: 215 Shepherd Rd, Kelowna, BC V1X 3B2
    Take the online survey
      • Complete the online survey below until November 12, 2023
      Leave a pin on the interactive map
      • Drop a pin and comment on a traffic safety concern or opportunity relating to traffic calming in the neighbourhood

      Map

      Survey

      Project Overview

      The City has engaged ISL Engineering and Land Services to review the road network and surrounding area of the Hollydell Neighbourhood. The Hollydell Neighbourhood is outlined as the area between Highway 33, Gerstmar Rd, Springifield Rd, and Hollywood Rd S.

      This study aims to improve road safety through traffic calming measures for all community members who use these neighbourhood streets.

      • Reduce vehicle speeds and volumes on Hollydell neighbourhood streets where there are issues.
      • Discourage shortcutting on Hollydell neighbourhood streets (for example, drivers avoiding main roads).
      • Make Hollydell neighbourhood streets safer and more comfortable for walking, cycling, and rolling, especially for school children and people with mobility concerns.
      • Maintain vehicle access for emergency vehicles and transit operations.
      • Ensure the selection and implementation measures are informed by community feedback.

      The project team has analyzed some of the existing vehicles speeds and traffic volume conditions. The following is a snapshot of their findings:

      • Lack of safe pedestrian facilities within the neighbourhood.
      • The project team noted high pedestrian activity with children walking to nearby Quigley Elementary.
      • The posted speed at Davie Park is 30 km/hr. The Project Team noted some vehicles were driving at higher speeds near the park (e.g., above the posted speed limit).
      • The City received a total of 32 service requests within the last 10 years related to road safety issues in the Hollydell Neighbourhood.
      • Traffic volumes were not notably high on any of the neighbourhood streets.
      • The majority of vehicles travel at or below the posted speed limit of 50km/h.

      The City recognizes the importance of community engagement. We understand that traffic and safety concerns exist among residents and people who use the neighbourhood streets in the study area. This study will explore ways to address many road safety concerns through the implementation of traffic calming measures. Our engagement will involve three phases of engagement:

      Phase 1- Understanding existing road safety conditions

      Phase 1 will focus on identifying key issues and opportunities regarding traffic calming in the neighbourhood. Engagement objectives include:

      • To provide clear information about existing safety issues and traffic calming options
      • To identify what current issues exist within the study area from the community’s perspective
      • To gather preliminary feedback on traffic calming in the neighbourhood

      Phase 2 - Developing potential traffic calming measures

      Phase 2 will give residents the opportunity to provide comments on preferred traffic calming options in the neighbourhood. Engagement objectives include:

      • To present options (or recommendations) for traffic calming in the project area and show how they relate to feedback from Round 1
      • To understand the community's comfort level with various options
      • To seek input on benefits that are important to the community and trade-offs of concern
      • To provide residents and user groups with a direct feedback opportunity

      Phase 3 - Final recommendations

      Phase 3 will serve as an opportunity of providing a level of support on the traffic calming plan.

      • For this traffic-calming plan to proceed, at least 70 percent of the properties in the study area are in favour of the project or less than 30 percent in opposition. Each property gets one response. We will assume that a property is in favour of the proposal if they do not provide a response.

      • We will carry out a survey in Phase 3 of the project to seek community support of the traffic-calming plan.

      We will develop key recommendations and a traffic calming plan based on resident and user group feedback (e.g., people who drive, walk, roll, and bike in the neighbourhood), technical analysis (including traffic engineering best practices and financial considerations), City policies and plans (e.g., City’s Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan, Official Community Plan, and Transportation Master Plan). Afterwards, the Project Team will present a traffic calming plan for approval by residents of the neighbourhood.

      For this traffic-calming plan to proceed, at least 70 percent of the properties in the study area must be in favour of the project or less than 30 percent in opposition. Each property gets one response. We will assume that a property is in favour of the proposal if they do not provide a response. We will carry out a survey in Phase 3 of the project to seek community support of the traffic-calming plan.

      The City implements traffic calming measures in residential neighbourhoods because they help our communities in the following ways:

      • Enhanced safety: Traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, traffic circles, and curb extensions help reduce vehicle speeds. These measures lower the risk and severity of accidents, making roadways safer for all users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

      • Reduction in cut-through traffic: Measures like road closures, one-way streets, or other strategic implementations of traffic calming measures can discourage drivers from using residential streets as shortcuts, reducing congestion and making neighborhoods safer.

      • Enhanced livability: Calmer streets with reduced traffic speeds create more pleasant and livable neighborhoods. People are more likely to spend time outdoors, interact with neighbors, and enjoy public spaces when traffic is less intimidating.

      • Noise reduction: Slower-moving vehicles generate less noise than those traveling at higher speeds. Implementing traffic calming measures can help mitigate noise pollution in residential areas, improving the quality of life for residents.

      • Environmental benefits: Reduced speeds and smoother traffic flow can lead to decreased fuel consumption and emissions, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, which aligns with the City’s climate action goals.
      • Increased property values: Well-designed traffic calming measures can enhance the attractiveness of an area. These measures can increase property values, benefiting homeowners and local economies.