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Council considers pilot traffic-calming program; stealth speed monitors and movable signs proposed
Summary
Council members and staff discussed a proposed pilot program to address speeding using movable speed-feedback signs, temporary speed bumps and covert 'stealth' monitors to gather baseline speed data; no final appropriation or placement plan was adopted at the meeting.
London City Council discussed a traffic-calming proposal that would fund movable speed-feedback signs, temporary/moveable speed bumps and covert monitors to gather objective speed data ahead of permanent installations.
Council members said they want an evidence-based placement process and suggested adopting formal criteria so devices are installed where data, not the loudest complaints, indicate they are needed. A resolution to increase appropriations for traffic calming was presented to fund an initial set of devices and to start a pilot program.
Council heard that the city’s police department already uses one covert “stealth” monitor and that additional units would allow staff to rotate devices and collect representative baseline data at multiple locations. One council member said the devices help avoid preferential placement: “It shouldn’t be done on who’s the loudest,” he said, and urged a formulaic approach based on measured excess speed and volume.
Discussion included comparative effects of feedback signs versus speed bumps. Council members cited a study showing speed-feedback signs reduce speeds and that speed bumps reduce accident counts, and recommended a pilot before expanding hardware purchases. The police chief and service staff are collecting additional traffic counts and will report back; no final purchase order or permanent-placement policy was approved at the meeting.
Council members also discussed cost and flexibility: feedback signs are portable and can be pole-mounted temporarily; covert monitors are relatively inexpensive and gather unbiased samples; and movable speed bumps can be deployed where data support them.
The discussion will continue at committee level and additional traffic-calming criteria and data from stealth monitors were requested before council votes.
