We’re calming traffic to reduce the speed and volume of traffic while improving neighbourhood safety and quality of life.

Our methods may vary if you’re a pedestrian, cyclist or motorist, but traffic moves safely when we all understand the measures and obey the rules. Milton's Traffic Calming Policy provides guidelines for traffic calming measures in residential neighbourhoods.

What is traffic calming?

Traffic calming is the "combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behaviour and improve conditions for non-motorized street users.”

Traffic calming measures can effectively address issues related to vehicle speed, excessive traffic volume and overall neighbourhood safety. Traffic calming measures - combined with engineering, education and enforcement - can significantly improve the liveability and safety of neighbourhoods.

Common traffic calming measures include speed humps, traffic circles, curb extensions, curb radius reductions and raised median islands.

Request traffic calming

In March 2023, Milton Town Council approved an updated Traffic Calming Policy that allows staff to evaluate requests received from the public.

Residents can submit requests for implementing physical traffic calming (e.g. speed humps) on local and collector Town roads. Traffic calming applications are accepted from January 1 to September 30 each year, for implementation the following year. Requests are made using this online traffic calming application form.
Apply For Traffic Calming

Traffic calming measures

Traffic calming measures include:

  • Roundabouts
  • Speed display boards
  • Flashing 40 signs

Roundabouts

Roundabouts are an important part of Milton’s roadway system. These circular intersections improve road safety, manage traffic flow and reduce emissions by eliminating unnecessary stops and idling.

Drivers
  • Slow down
  • Look and plan ahead
  • Pedestrians go first – when entering or exiting a roundabout, stop for pedestrians at the crosswalk
  • Look to the left, yield to all traffic in the roundabout, find a safe gap and then go.
  • Don't pass vehicles in a roundabout
  • Signal your exit 

Pedestrians
  • Step to the curb
  • Look and listen for a safe gap in traffic
  • Keep and make eye contact with drivers in all lanes
  • Only cross at designated pedestrian crossovers at the roundabout
  • Wait on the splitter island
  • Start to cross as soon as the vehicles have stopped

Cyclists 
  • Ride as if you were driving a car
  • Merge into the centre of the vehicle lane before the bike lane or shoulder ends
  • Use road cycling hand signals to alert drivers to your route
  • Stay in the middle of the lane to avoid collisions with other vehicles exiting to the right
  • Less experienced cyclists should get off their bicycles and cross the roundabout as pedestrians, or use the bicycle bypass ramps where available

Roundabout benefits

Safety

Slows vehicles, lower speeds, with less chance of the potential for serious crashes and injury.

Improve traffic flow

Continues the flow of traffic in a safer manner by less time yielding than waiting for a green light at an intersection or for a gap in traffic at a stop sign. 

Speed display boards

Speed display boards are pole-mounted devices equipped with radar speed detectors and an LED display. The boards are capable of detecting the approaching speed of a vehicle and displaying it back to the driver. When combined with a regulatory speed limit sign, a clear message is sent to the driver that they may be travelling too fast. The objective of the program is to improve road safety by making drivers aware of their speed.​

Flashing 40 signs

Flashing 40 signs designate time specific reduced speed limits in front of certain schools. Drivers must travel at 40 km/h when flashing beacons are activated. When not in operation, the speed limit returns to the posted limit for that road.

Speed limits

There are different speed limits for different roads in Milton.

Unless otherwise posted, speed limits are:

  • 40 km/h in front of primary and junior schools when signs flashing
  • 50 km/h in urban areas
  • 70 km/h in rural areas

We work with the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) to promote safe driving practices. We conduct a spot speed study in areas identified as concerns. We process the data we collect into a speed profile. We then give the results to HRPS for their information and enforcement.

The Town continuously reviews speed limit policies when roads and communities are being built, as well as lived in. In an effort to improve road safety in Milton, the following pilot projects are being implemented:

40 km/h neighbourhood pilot

A one-year 40 km/h neighbourhood speed limit pilot will be implemented in a Milton residential neighbourhood – bordered by Derry Road, Louis St. Laurent Avenue, Regional Road 25 and Bronte Street South.

Leger Way and Viola Desmond School 30 km/h pilot

Starting Sept. 6, 2022, a one-year pilot program will be implemented on Leger Way in front of Viola Desmond school reducing the speed limit from 40 km/h to 30 km/h when flashing.

McLaughlin Avenue in front of St. Benedict Catholic School

Starting Sept. 6, a one-year pilot program will be implemented on McLaughlin Avenue in front of St. Benedict Catholic School reducing the speed limit from 40 km/h to 30 km/h when flashing.

Farmstead Drive in front of Anne J. MacArthur Public School

Starting Sept. 6, a one-year pilot program will be implemented on Farmstead Drive in front of Anne J. MacArthur Public School reducing the speed limit from 40 km/h to 30 km/h when flashing.

In all 30 km/h zones, be sure to reduce your speed and be cautious of your surroundings.