FAQ

A Slow Point is created by installing two traffic islands on opposite sides of a roadway to narrow path of traffic. Slow points are intended to reduce vehicle speeds. Drivers are expected to reduce speed to negotiate the lateral displacement at the slow point. Driver who is closer to the slow point has right of way through the device.

The Fairway is a long stretch of road and has a great downhill slope & curve alignment. If one slow point was provided half-way in the street, speeding could still occur as vehicles would slow down only when they are closer to the device.  It is more effective to have two sets of Slow Points on The Fairway.

The slow points are unlikely to make much noise. Adequate warning signage about the devices will be installed which allows adequate time for approaching traffic to slow down.

As this proposal provides a series of traffic calming devices: Slow points and a Give-Way control intersection, speeds will be reduced over the length of the street. 

Research indicates a considerable drop in the approaching speed of traffic. These devices have been installed in many locations in Willoughby area and they have been effective in reducing speeds in those residential streets. 

In comparison to speed humps which are also an effective device to control speeding, the noise impact from slow points is minimal.

The single lane through the slow point may cause some confrontations between opposing drivers if they arrive simultaneously. However, local traffic generally manages without much confrontation. 

The proposal requires removal of two parking spaces for the installation of slow points.

The proposed Slow Points require removal of four parking spaces at the following locations of The Fairway:

• Adjacent to property number 6 The Fairway (loss of 2 kerbside parking) and 

• Adjacent to property number 12 The Fairway (loss of 2 kerbside parking).

No driveways will be impacted. Swept path analysis has been completed to ensure resident access is maintained and safety is enhanced.

Enforcement by speed cameras or police presence is only effective at the point and/or time of operation. In contrast, traffic calming measures provide continuous all-day speed control to most vehicles using the street, and are therefore effective on a 24/7 basis.

The advisory speed limit through a single-lane Slow Point is 25km/h.

From experience, local residents are unlikely to support speed humps treatment to reduce vehicle speeds due to traffic noise in the local residential streets. Therefore, the traffic calming devices that provides only horizontal deflection were considered and one-lane Slow Points were considered more appropriate for The Fairway to lower the current speed profile to at or below the speed limit of 50km/h.