A Saskatoon city hall report is advocating for lowering speed limits on neighbourhood streets to 30 km/h.
The report cites speeding concerns from residents expressed in over 40 neighbourhood traffic studies conducted by the city over the last five years.
While residents may have expressed concerns, the report notes measurements taken as part of the traffic studies found few instances of drivers travelling over 10 per cent above posted speed limits.
The report suggests the discrepancy between people’s perception of the speeding issue in their neighbourhoods and the actual speeding data points to a problem.
“This indicates that the posted speed limit is an issue, as it does not align with current individual and neighbourhood community values or expectations,” the report reads.
City administration is asking city council to approve a plan allowing staff to “develop a detailed framework for revising posted speed limits on neighbourhood streets, including school and playground zones.”
The proposed framework would look at reducing speed limits in neighbourhood residential streets and collector roads, such as Kingsmere Boulevard and Stensrud Road.
However, the report notes arterial roads with multiple school zones like Clarence Avenue and Taylor Street wouldn’t be considered for speed zone reductions — but staff would look at traffic calming measures in “high priority” areas along the roads.
Commuting delays are addressed in the report as well.
The author writes that the average commute in Saskatoon is 3.95 kilometres long and lasts 19.7 minutes, with less than one kilometre of travel on neighbourhood streets.
It notes travelling at 30 km/h instead of 50 km/h would extend that average commute by “less than a minute.”
The report also cites traffic safety as a consideration, noting 90 per cent of “vulnerable road users” —pedestrians and cyclists — survive collisions at 30 km/h as opposed to a 20 per cent chance at 50 km/h.
City councillors on the transportation committee will consider the report on Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m.