Traffic Calming

CCA Traffic Calming Committee

 

The Carlington Community Association’s Traffic Calming committee provides a space for community members to advocate for changes they would like to see in our community.

Carlington is evolving. As our city grows, our streets must adapt to serve everyone, not just cars and trucks. We are currently tracking several projects designed to transition our neighbourhood from a series of high-speed thoroughfares into a network of safe, liveable shared spaces.

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Safer streets Carlington: Our “greater good” approach

How streets were first designed

Starting in the 1960s, urban design prioritized the rapid movement of vehicles above all else. However, we now recognize that neighbourhoods often suffer as a result, losing the quiet, safety, and community connection that make a place feel like home.

The “Road Diet” approach

The needs of Carlington are evolving, and our street design must evolve, too. We are embracing the concept of “road diets” (also known as rightsizing). This involves reconfiguring street layouts to better serve everyone who uses them—whether they are in a car, on a bike, or walking.

Prioritizing community safety by thinking “people first”

Our streets are vital public commons that belong to everyone. When we prioritize traffic calming, we aren’t just making them safer by slowing down cars; we are reclaiming the air, the silence, and the safety of our neighbourhood. One goal of the CCA Traffic Calming Committee is to ensure our infrastructure actively serves all modes of mobility—whether you are walking to a neighbour’s house, cycling to work, or using a mobility aid to navigate the sidewalk.

A street that is slightly less convenient for a driver is a street that is significantly safer for a child biking to school, a neighbour in a wheelchair, or a family walking to the park. By embracing a “People First” mentality, we acknowledge that the collective safety of our community is our top priority.

 

Tracking our progress

The CCA Traffic Calming Committee is active on multiple fronts to advocate for safer and more welcoming streets in Carlington. You can view the full list of CCA Transportation projects and advocacy goals here.

 

Make your voice heard: Data drives action

Effective traffic calming requires evidence. The City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) allocate their limited resources based on reported data. If you see recurring issues—speeding, “stunt” driving, or ignored stop signs—your report is the most powerful tool we have to make our community safer.

  • Report online to Ottawa Police Service: You can file a report for traffic-related issues at ottawapolice.ca/report
          • The Impact: Every digital report contributes to the “heat map” that the OPS uses to prioritize enforcement. Without these reports, the authorities may not realize where the problems are most severe.
  • Report to 311 for the City of Ottawa: You can report city infrastructure defects, excessive street racing noise, vehicle noise, graffitied traffic signs, and ongoing traffic infractions directly to the city through the 311 Report or Request portal and Ottawa 311 portal.
          • The Impact: Your reports give the city the concrete data needed to tackle growing traffic issues.

Join us at an upcoming CCA Traffic Calming Committee meeting

When more of us speak up, our neighbourhood’s safety becomes a priority officials take seriously. Join us at an upcoming CCA Traffic Calming meeting to bring your concerns and ideas forward on how we can make Carlington streets safer for everyone.

Meetings are held every second month. For more details or to find out when we next meet, please email traffic.calming@carlingtoncommunity.org.