Red curbs in Newmarket school zones easing no parking woes

The Smart Commute pilot project at 6 schools may continue into the fall

Newmarkettoday.ca
April 14, 2022
Elizabeth Keith

At the start of the school year, curbs were painted red to reinforce no parking rules at six school zones throughout Newmarket as part of a pilot project by Smart Commute Central York (SCCY).

“Since 2020, we’ve been collaborating with York Region, both school boards and the Town of Newmarket on an active school travel pilot program,” said Andrea Stephenson in a presentation the Newmarket council April 11.

In September 2021, signage was added, school zone stencils were painted on the streets, and the curbs were painted bright red to remind drivers that there is no parking or stopping in school zones. Stephenson provided an update on what has happened since.

Data collection was done in September and November 2021, in February 2022, and another observation date is scheduled for June.

“Driver and pedestrian behaviours, including unsafe driving within the school zone, are monitored and recorded along with a count of pedestrians and cyclists and the number of cars that are dropping kids off at school. Teachers have also been collecting monthly in-class hands-up surveys with their students asking how they got to school that day,” Stephenson said.

Councillor Grace Simon, who represents Ward 1 and lives near one of the pilot project schools, said, “I live very closely to the Stonehaven Public School ... and have noticed a real change in the fact that people are respecting the red lines painted on the curbs, which is so excellent because it was a problem, the congestion.”

It is a simple solution but one that she said has had a big impact.

“People were critical when they first went down but they’ve been really effective, so I just want to say thank you for really looking for creative ways to improve our school zones,” she said.

SCCY said after the observation in June there will be talks on whether the pilot project will continue in the fall.