FAQs
- Safe Road Users: encourage all road users to make safe and responsible choices and reduce risk-taking behaviour
- Safe Speeds: design roads to align with the posted speed limits, reduce the risk of someone being seriously hurt or killed if they are involved in a collision
- Safe Vehicles: explore different vehicle systems and features to reduce the severity of collisions for vehicle occupants and non-occupants
- Safe Roads: design roads to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions
- Post-Crash Response: allow emergency responders to quickly and safely arrive to reduce harm after a collision
What is this project about?
The City of Peterborough has initiated the development of a Transportation Safety Program (TSP) as a comprehensive action plan focused on reducing traffic-related fatalities and injuries on City roads. The strategy will use proven road safety principles like data-driven analysis, public engagement, and evidence‑based countermeasures to guide future investments, policies, and infrastructure decisions. The goal of the project is to create a safer transportation network for all road users, including people walking, cycling, driving, and riding transit.
The TSP will be a guidance document containing the vision and mission statements, fundamental principles, and short-term and long-term goals and objectives. In alignment with “Safe Systems” principles, this project will set out the targets, policies, and action plans to guide the City and its road safety partners toward creating safer travel and reducing the number of fatal and serious injury collisions for all road users. A 3-year implementation plan will be developed with targeted, location specific actions that can be implemented in a short-term timeframe. A 15-year framework will also be developed to allow the City to plan and prioritize road safety initiatives in the long-term timeframe.
What is Safe Systems?
The Safe Systems Approach is an internationally recognized and implemented road safety framework designed to minimize the risk of fatal and serious injuries on our roads. It is centered around the principle that human errors are inevitable, but those errors should not result in death or serious injuries on our roads. Key Safe Systems principles consist of the following to provide a holistic approach to reducing the severity of roadway collisions:
Why is the City developing this strategy now?
Recently, the City has implemented several road safety initiatives and strategies such as the Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Policy, speed limit reductions, and initiatives like Active School Travel Peterborough, the City recognizes the need for a new, holistic approach to road safety. Despite all these road safety initiatives, guidelines, and policies to address motor vehicle collisions, on average 1,580 collisions occur on City roadways each year, out of which over 200 collisions result in a fatality or personal injury. Therefore, the City recognizes that a broader-based approach is required and has propose the development of a long-term, coordinated framework to improve safety for all road users, and support broader transportation and community health goals.
Who are the key members?
The City of Peterborough will work with the public and a range of partners, including but not limited to City of Peterborough staff, Public Health, school boards and education institutions, community organizations and advocacy groups, emergency services, and the general public. The public will be engaged in the development of the TSP to build project awareness, provide input on existing safety risks and challenges, and refine and prioritize safety recommendations.
When will this project be completed?
The Transportation Safety Strategy is anticipated to be completed in April 2027. Exact dates will be updated on the Key Dates section of the study website.
How will progress be measured?
An evaluation and monitoring plan will be developed as part of the project, which will include clear performance indicators and recommend strategies that the City can implement to track progress. These strategies may consist of annual collision reports to Council and the public, implementation dashboards, collision and speed data analysis, and follow-up public satisfaction and perception surveys.
How can I stay informed as the project progresses?
Regular updates will be provided through the City’s online engagement website, social media channels, public newsletters, and Public Information Centres and engagement events.
Make sure to check the project website regularly to stay up to date!