Electronic speed reader signs along Departure Bay Rd. have had limited effect for northbound traffic, however southbound saw some reductions. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

slow down

Dynamic speed signs seeing mixed success in Nanaimo school zones

Jun 21, 2024 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — Stopping vehicles blitzing through local school zones remains an ongoing challenge in many areas of the city.

Dynamic speed reader signs were installed along Departure Bay Rd., by Cilaire Elementary, in the summer of 2022 and have had varying degrees of success in curbing speeding vehicles.

City manager of transportation Jamie Rose said since installation speeds northbound, towards Departure Bay beach, dropped only one kilometre per hour on average however changes to the school zone boundary for southbound traffic, along with the signs, may have helped more.

“Southbound did see a bit more of a change, I believe about six kilometres per hour. I’m not 100 per cent clear whether that was a product of the signage or just creating a circumstance that was much more intuitive to drivers, they could see the school and knew they were in a school zone.”

The school zone start for southbound vehicles, heading toward Island Hwy., was moved to Montrose Ave., instead of just south of the intersection.

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Despite varied success, the signs are a preferred method of speed maintenance in school zones.

Managing traffic flows for Chase River Elementary School, in addition to access in and out for Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews helped influence plans for north Extension Rd. Further upgrades are also scheduled up the hill. (City of Nanaimo)

Work is underway along Extension Rd. on a number of traffic calming measures, which include the dynamic speed readers by Chase River Elementary.

Rose told NanaimoNewsNOW the signs are programmable which allows them to display differently to drivers depending on time of day or year.

It makes them a much more attractive option for longer term speed management.

“Static signs, the standard yellow diamonds that you would see on the side of the road, it appears their effectiveness is about three months, maybe six depending on where they are or what they’re identifying. But on commuter routes…they become background and drivers don’t really pay attention to them any more.”

Construction along Extension Rd. is proceeding largely in a south-to-north pattern, with upgrades around Chase River Elementary expected to begin once school breaks for the summer.

Tempering driver speeds in school zones remains a challenge, while also ensuring the reduced speeds are enforceable under the Motor Vehicle Act. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Work to curb speed, especially around school zones, city-wide was discussed at length during a City public safety committee meeting on June 12.

While options presented by staff included a more comprehensive $150,000 study on school zone placement, to be more in line with the Motor Vehicle Act, a decision was made to treat each request or zone as it comes.

Rose said a working group involving SD68, RCMP, ICBC and other representatives handle most requests and will decide best actions.

“We will continue to work with various schools to the review, development and creation of an active school travel plan. That’ll give us a much more holistic approach of engaging with the schools and district, identifying challenges and pre-auditing the solutions to best align with everybody’s resources.”

Reducing the default speed zone from 50 kilometres per hour to 40 was also presented as an option, albeit not recommended by staff nor favoured by the committee.

Rose said while the idea is “nice”, it’s not “practical”.

He cited other municipalities who’ve attempted the move but it created environments where drivers ignoring the new speed were navigating through and around those attempting to comply.

“Speed is one of the most significant factors in road safety. It’s not just pedestrians and cyclists and vulnerable road users who would benefit from lower speeds, it’s also drivers. It’s fundamental physics of two objects colliding at high speed, the injuries or worse that could come from that are just unnecessary.”

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