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Transportation System Management
Transportation users (motorists, cyclists and pedestrians) are regulated by the Provincial Motor Vehicle Act as well as the City’s Street and Traffic Control Bylaw.
The City’s transportation system is implemented and managed by the Engineering Department in accordance with Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) Guidelines.
The City’s multi-modal Transportation and Greenway Plan(s) serve as "road maps" for implementing and managing the transportation system. The Plan(s) support the City's Official Community Plan and are an integral component of the City's strategic plan.
While our emphasis is on increasing the use of sustainable travel modes (walking, cycling and transit use), as use of these modes results in health benefits from active living, promotes vibrancy on streets, paths and places, and lowers per capita green house gas emissions. Our approach is intended to provide safe access and mobility for all users whether they are pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, or drivers.
Transportation Safety & Efficiency
Sustainable Transportation Facilities
• Pedestrian Facilities
• Cycling Facilities
• Transit Facilities
Traffic Calming
Transportation Signals
• Full Signals
• Pedestrian Signals
• Bicycle Actuations
Signs and Pavement Markings
Parking
Parking General Information
• Residential Parking Permits
• Parking Services (Disputing a Parking Ticket)
• Back-in Angel Parking
• Free Parking with Veteran’s Plates
Street Occupancy Permits
Access & Driveway Approval
Road Maintenance
Truck Routes & Permits
• Truck Clearance
• Oversize/Overweight Truck Permits
Traffic Counts
Transportation Safety & Efficiency
New Westminster’s 2007 Comprehensive Road Safety Plan (CRSP) identified key road safety issues and mapped out a unified strategy to coordinate safety-oriented road improvements, the provision and improvement of cycling and walking infrastructure, and traffic calming measures.
Working in partnership with other agencies, City strategies are underway to address:
• Excessive traffic speeds
• Red light and signing violation
• Limited accommodation of left-turn movements at intersections
• Congestion and high traffic volumes
• Impact of truck traffic on road safety
• Pedestrian safety
• Cyclist safety
• Sight lines at intersections
• Adequacy of signs and pavement markings
• Signal operations and display
• At-grade railway crossings
For more information please contact the Engineering Department.
Sustainable Transportation Facilities
Transportation modes of travel include walking, cycling, transit use and driving (including loading, unloading,couriers, taxi's etc). From a policy perspective the City of New Westminster places a priority on sustainable modes of transportation (walking, cycling and transit use). In fact the City is leading the region in transit use - according to a 2006 census 27% of all journey to work trips, made by City residents are made using transit and 7% by walking and cycling. In total 34% of all journey to work trips are made by sustainable modes of transport.
Transportation facilities include sidewalks and transit landing areas, pathways, cycling facilities (both on and off-road), as well as roads for vehicle use all managed by traffic control devices (e.g. signs, signals), complemented by street lighting and street furniture (e.g. benches etc).
Transportation responsibilities include:
- development of city street and greenway networks such as the Central Valley Greenway and 12th Street sidewalk and boulevard replacement
- maintenance and upgrading street and sidewalk such as accessible transit landings and ramps at corners,bike rack installation, pavement rehabilitation, street cleaning and snow clearing services
- management of traffic operations and controls (e.g. traffic signals, signs, crosswalks)
- coordination and communication with senior government agencies regarding regional transportation systems and rails (e.g. transit services, regional bridges & highways)
The City adopted a Pedestrian Charter in 2008 and in 2010 the City produced a Bike Route and Information Guide that outlines cycling routes and facilities in New Westminster.
What is Traffic Calming?
Traffic calming is a series of measures to reduce the volume and/or speed of vehicular traffic on local and collector residential streets where warranted and supported by the area residents. Traffic calming commonly includes a combination of engineering, education and enforcement.
The physical engineering devices are in accordance with the "Canadian Guide to Neighbourhood Traffic Calming", published by the Transportation Association of Canada. They include speed humps, curb extensions, medians, traffic circles, etc.
The city Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Policy (2010) provides a comprehensive process to identify and address traffic calming needs. Key steps include:
- Project Initiation
- Preliminary Screening
- Neighbourhood Liaison
- Planning Process: Problem Identification & Consensus
- Plan Development
- Review Plan with stakeholders
- Measurement of local support
- Council Approval and Funding
- Performance Monitoring
For speeding or volume concerns in a public laneway, a resident may pursue the Speed Bumps in Laneway Policy.
Related Information:
Residents' Associations Map
Transportation Action Form
Content under development
Traffic signs and pavement markings are installed and maintained by City staff. Please contact Engineering Operations to report a missing sign. For any other sign or marking related issues please contact Engineering Services.
To occupy a specific portion of a City Street right-of-way other than as permitted by existing bylaws, a sign or parking meter, a Street Occupancy Permit is required.
Street Occupancy Permits are required for, but not limited to these examples:
• placement of construction refuse containers on City property;
• unattached trailers placed on City property;
• construction work that uses any portion of City property;
• construction hoarding placed on City property;
• parades or special events;
• use of City sidewalks during maintenance of adjacent buildings;
• placing of cranes or construction equipment on City property;
For more information please call 604-527-4592.
In accordance with the Local Government Act and City Bylaws, the location and construction of a new access/driveway is regulated and requires approval by the Engineering Department. Requirements are noted in Section 7 of Design Criteria of the City’s Subdivision and Development Control Bylaw and the City’s Zoning Bylaw.
Where rear lanes exist, new driveway access onto roadways is not generally permitted. Access is via lanes, frontage roads, etc. Vehicular accesses to corner sites at intersections are regulated per the City Bylaws and Transportation Association of Canada Guidelines.
Content under development.
The City has established a Truck Route By-law and a network of designated truck routes.
Trucks, with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) greater than 13,600 kg. or having an overall length inclusive of load in excess of 10.6 metres, or a combination of vehicles having an overall length inclusive of load in excess of 12.2 metres are required to travel on the designated truck routes.
The above mentioned vehicles may travel on streets that are not designated truck routes if that vehicle is delivering or picking up goods, merchandise or other things to or from a residence or business premise in the City and is travelling via the closest and most direct street route.
Oversize and overweight vehicles must obtain a permit for travel through New Westminster. Please contact the Engineering Department.
Truck Clearance
Content under development.
Oversize/Overweight Truck Permit
Under the Street and Traffic Bylaw any vehicle travelling through the City that is oversize or overweight requires an Oversize and/or Overweight Truck Permit.
For information regarding the application process please contact the Engineering Department.
Traffic Counts
To obtain information on the number of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles using transportation facilities, the City collects traffic and speed data annually.
Most recent road link counts (Average Weekday, Two-way 24-hour Traffic Volume) can be found on the City's website under Traffic Counts.
If you require more information regarding traffic count data please contact Engineering Services.
