Traffic and Road Safety

Your safety is important to us. To report a non-emergency safety concern, request additional traffic control devices or to request more information about an item listed below, please contact Service Oakville at  905-845-6601.

• For signal and sign repair/maintenance inquires,
• Requests for traffic controls (stop signs, traffic signals, pedestrian signals, turn restrictions, traffic calming, school crossing guards)
• Traffic safety issues (speeding, collision history)
• Traffic operational issues (road congestion, traffic volumes, capital program)
• On-street parking regulations
• Traffic signage and pavement markings
• Traffic signal operations
• Traffic counts throughout the town to monitor traffic volumes
• Speed education and awareness program
• Pedestrian crossovers

Road Network Review

The town owns and operates approximately 1,900 kilometres of roadways and 122 signalized intersections. Heavy truck traffic is restricted on some roads. Open the following maps for details:

• 2015 Road System Report (pdf)
• 2017 Traffic Control Plan (pdf)
• Heavy Truck Prohibitions and Restrictions (pdf)

The town is responsible for crossing guards, traffic signals, street signs and pavement markings. To ensure that the local roadway network operates as safely and efficiently as possible, a periodic review of key traffic characteristics such as volumes, levels of service, collisions and operating speeds is performed to monitor performance levels and identify problem areas.

Traffic Volumes

Traffic volume data consists of intersection turning movement count and mid-block 24-hour volume data. Traffic volumes at various locations within the town are measured at approximately 300 locations per year through Automatic Traffic Recorder (ATR) and Turning Movement Count (TMC) programs.

Open the Traffic Volumes Map (pdf) for a summary of daily traffic volumes on both town’s and regional roadways.

Traffic Signals

A Signalized Intersection Level of Service (LOS) review is used as a first step to review traffic operations to determine whether a location is operating at acceptable levels during the critical afternoon peak hour of travel. Open the 2017 Signalized Intersection LOS Map (pdf) for LOS information for the peak afternoon hours at a number of intersections.

For more information regarding traffic signals please go to the Traffic Signal Operations page.

All-Way Stop Control

The main purpose of an all-way stop control is to assign right-of-way between two roadways with similar traffic volumes and operating characteristics. They are not intended to be used as a speed control device. To help ensure that all-way stop controls are placed at appropriate locations, warrant criteria has been developed based on numerous traffic studies and Provincial guidelines. This criteria considers traffic volumes, delay to side street drivers and pedestrian, visibility and collision history. The installation of an unwarranted all-way stop control can result in increased noncompliance of the stop sign, especially by main street drivers. It can also provide a false sense of security for drivers entering the intersection from the side street and for pedestrians (particularly children) crossing the main street.

Speeding & Traffic Calming

Traffic speeds at various locations in Oakville are measured through the speed survey program. This program typically involves 150 surveys per year and is based mainly on reports of speeding from the public.

Traffic calming is a measure available to the town that can be used to mitigate speeding in instances where higher speeds have been observed and conventional methods of speed deterrence, such as enforcement and education, have not been effective. Some traffic calming examples include radar speed display signs, speed cushions, and raised barrier medians. For additional information on traffic calming visit the Traffic Calming program page.

Pedestrian Safety Program

The town developed the Pedestrian Safety Program to address safety issues and establish where and what type of pedestrian crossings are needed throughout town. Through the program, the town identified over 170 candidate locations. Visit the pedestrian crossing page for more information about the rules and types of pedestrian crossovers.

West River Traffic Survey

The Town of Oakville has completed an Integrated Traffic and Safety Management study in partnership with the West River Residents Association (WRRA) and the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS). The purpose of this initiative is to develop a template for a traffic and safety management program that will look at measures such as traffic calming, enforcement and public education that can potentially be used in other neighbourhoods. 

• Integrated Traffic and Safety Management Plan, 2021 (pdf)
• Appendix A (pdf)
• Appendix B (pdf)

If you have any questions regarding the Integrated Traffic and Safety Management study or the process, please contact Chris Clapham, Sustainable Transportation Program Coordinator by phone at 905-845-6601, ext.3306, or by email at chris.clapham@oakville.ca.