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CP-MOB-2025-001 #
CTDDS Recommendations and Executive Committee Mandate Regarding Traffic Calming
The City is evaluating a proposal to lower the speed threshold for traffic calming eligibility from 5 km/h to 0 km/h to improve road safety. Council members discussed the balance between public perception of safety and statistical reality, debating the effectiveness of physical measures like bollards versus educational tools like radar signs. The administration has been mandated to assess the financial and operational impacts of this policy change for presentation during the 2026 budget process.
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CTDDS Recommendations

CTDDS-2024-02: The Commission on Transportation, Sustainable Travel, and Safety (Commission sur les transports, les déplacements durables et la sécurité), during its regular session on April 11, 2024, recommended that the municipal council adopt Scenario 1, which involves lowering the threshold by 5 km/h regarding the eligibility criteria related to speed.

Executive Committee Recommendation

CP-MOB-2025-001: Mandate the administration to evaluate the financial, operational, and implementation capacity impacts of following up on the CTDDS recommendation and to present these findings during the 2026 budget exercise.

Discussion Summary

A question and comment period was held. Councillors discussed various aspects of road safety, including:

  • The effectiveness of physical traffic calming measures (bollards) versus educational tools (radar signs).
  • The distinction between public perception of safety and statistical data regarding accidents.
  • The need for a paradigm shift in how streets are designed to prioritize safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
  • The potential for lowering speed limits in school zones, parks, and narrow residential streets.
  • The role of the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG) in enforcement and safety initiatives.

The administration confirmed that it is collaborating with the SPVG and that the mandate will include exploring creative and alternative ways to improve safety beyond temporary measures. The members agreed with the Executive Committee's recommendation to have the administration report back during the budget review.

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