This is idiotic.
Calgary is the only city I've driven in where playground and school zones are as common as they are. They are utilized as a traffic calming measure by community associations rather than as genuine safety measures. There needs to be a serious rationalization of the number of these zones in the city.
These are the government of Alberta guidelines for the establishment of playground and school zones:
Quote:
School Zones (reduced speed limits near schools) are generally discouraged along “walk‐to‐school routes” away from the school vicinity, and on roadways where any of the following conditions exist:
-School is located on an arterial road or expressway / freeway;
-School grounds are fully fenced;
-School is located an appreciable distance from the roadway;
-The roadway does not have a school entrance; and
-The length of the school frontage is minimal (e.g. less than 50 metres).
Playground Zones (reduced speed limits near playgrounds) are generally discouraged along roadways where any of the following conditions exist:
-Playground is located on an arterial roadway or expressway / freeway
-Playground or field is fully fenced##
-Playground is located an appreciable distance from the roadway
-The Playground entrance is not located along the subject roadway
Playground Zones should be avoided on higher roadway classifications. They can appear to motorists as contradicting the roadway function, and hence may be unexpected and disrespected. They can sometimes provide children and parents a false sense of security on a potentially hazardous roadway.
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I would say that a significant percentage of zones within Calgary do not meet these guidelines.