1. Traffic Committee Ontario Traffic Manual & Warrants March 24, 2015

2. 5.1 – Process of Addressing Issues
1. Warrants
Establish Methodology
i.e. Stop Signs, Traffic Signals, Pedestrian Crosswalks, Crossing Guards
2. Protocols
Speeding, Parking
3. General Discussion

3. 5.2 – Primer on Ontario Traffic Manual and Warrants Cont’d
OTM: Promote uniformity in the design, application and operation of transportation control devices
Standards are accepted across Ontario
Generated over years of engineering research and statistics
Continuously Revised and Updated
Used for New Roads and Existing

4. 5.2 – Primer on Ontario Traffic Manual and Warrants Cont’d
Warrants in the OTM
Guidelines for setting/changing traffic control devices, i.e.:
Stop Signs
Pedestrian Crosswalks
Traffic Signals
Crossing Guards

5. 5.2 – Primer on Ontario Traffic Manual and Warrants Cont’d
Why Warrants?
Consistent across Ontario
Fair Decision Making
Unbiased
Established Procedures
Municipal Due Diligence/Liability
Prevents Proliferation of Stop Signs, Signals, etc.

6. 5.2 – Primer on Ontario Traffic Manual and Warrants Cont’d
Warrants 101 – How do they work?
Based on minimum thresholds
Traffic Volumes, Pedestrian Volumes – combination of both
Safety Record – Documented Records
Not based on Perception

7. 5.2 – Primer on Ontario Traffic Manual and Warrants Cont’d
Types of Traffic Data used for Warrants
Tube Counts
Number of Vehicles by Time
Type of Vehicle
Speed and Direction
Intersection Camera
Volume of Traffic on all approaches
Pedestrian Volume

8. 5.2 – Primer on Ontario Traffic Manual and Warrants Cont’d
Example 1 – Crosswalk Warrant

9. 5.2 – Primer on Ontario Traffic Manual and Warrants Cont’d
Example 2 – Stop Sign Warrant
All-way stop controls may be considered on minor roads where the following conditions are met:
Total vehicle volume on all intersection approaches exceeds 350 for the highest hour recorded
Volume split does not exceed 65/35 for four-way control

10. 5.2 – Primer on Ontario Traffic Manual and Warrants Cont’d
Example 2 – Inappropriate uses of Stop Signs
As a speed control device
When the protection of pedestrians is the objective
As a means of deterring the movement of traffic in a residential area
Where other traffic devices are present within 250m

11. 5.3 – Draft Protocols Create Protocols: Where warrants don’t exist
Process/Methodology to review similar requests
i.e. Speeding, Public Parking

12. 5.3 – Draft Protocols Cont’d
Speeding Protocol
Collect Field Data (Tube Counts)
Confirm Posted Speed is Compliant with Town Wide Posting Guidelines
Review for Extenuating Situations or “Exceptions”
Decision →
Change Speed Limit or;
Refer to Police

13. 5.3 – Draft Protocols Cont’d
Parking Protocol
Collect Field Data
Road Width, Pictures, By-laws/signs
Confirm consistency with adjacent streets
Review consistency with other infrastructure
Sidewalks and Hydrants
Check if By-law changes are needed
Change Speed Limit or;
Refer to SSP
Inform Area Residents

14. 5.3 – Draft Protocols Cont’d
General Discussion
Does not fit either warrant or protocols, i.e.:
Town-Wide Speed Limits
School Zones
Speed Bumps
Review other best practices
May develop protocols if needed