HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-021 - Construction Zone Signs - Speed Fine Signs1
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Development &
Technical Services
Report To: Development & Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: February 19, 2007
Submitted By: John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning
Prepared By: Stephanie Brasseur, Traffic Project Co-ordinator (741-2373}
Ward(s) Involved: All
Date of Report: January 23, 2007
Report No.: DTS 07-021
Subject: CONSTRUCTION ZONE SIGNS -SPEED FINE SIGNS
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Director of Transportation, or designate, be provided the authority to designate a
"Construction Zone', as well as to set the temporary speed limit within that construction
zone. The Director of Transportation Planning, or designate will ensure that records are
kept detailing when a construction zone speed is changed.
BACKGROUND:
Legislated changes to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA} relating to Construction Zone Signs for
Speed Fine Signs and enforcement have been enacted under Regulation 615. Municipalities in
Ontario are now able under the HTA to designate construction zones and temporary speed
limits on roads within their jurisdiction.
REPORT:
New rules governing speed limits in designated construction zones and the doubling of
speeding fines in a construction zone when there are workers present came into effect March
31, 2006. These amendments are part of Bill 169, the Transportation Statue Law Amendment
Act, 2005, which received Royal Assent on November 21, 2005.
With the Bill 169 amendments, municipalities in Ontario now have the authority, under the
Highway Traffic Act (HTA} to designate construction zones on roads in their jurisdiction. This
legislation will improve the safety of both workers and motorists by doubling the Highway Traffic
Act (HTA} fines for speeding in a designated construction zone when workers are present and
by making it easier for municipalities to reduce the enforceable speed limits in construction
zones. The amendments are included in Section 17, sub-section 128 (8}, (9}, and (10} -
Construction Zones. Bill 169 also makes it an offence to disobey a traffic control person's
STOP and SLOW sign.
Construction Zone Speed Limits
Lowering the speed limit in construction zones reduces the risk of collision. Under the new
legislation, municipalities have the option of reducing speed limits in construction zones without
passing a by-law. The municipal Council simply delegates the authority to a senior staff
member to designate a construction zone, and to establish a reduced temporary speed limit
during the time of construction, In this regard, it is essential that records are kept detailing when
a construction zone speed is changed. The reduced speed limit becomes effective once the
required signs are posted.
The Regional Municipality of Waterloo will have to enact their own Council approval for roads
under their jurisdiction.
The Act requires that a construction zone must be clearly marked with standard
"CONSTRUCTION ZONE BEGINS" and "CONSTRUCTION ZONE ENDS" signs found in
Regulation 615 of the HTA and in the Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM} Book 7. The reduced
speed limit becomes effective once the required signs are posted.
Increased Speed Fines
Increasing fines is an effective way to discourage motorists from speeding. The legislation
doubles the normal HTA fines for motorists exceeding the speed limit in a designated
construction zone when there are workers present at the site and the prescribed signs are used.
The current practice for speed zone signing in a construction zone is shown in Ontario Traffic
Manual (OTM} Book 7 Temporary Conditions. The speed limit signs would be posted as per the
attached Figure TL-3 or TL-4 using regulatory black and white speed limit signs.
To advise motorists of the doubled speed fines, information signs are recommended but not
required under the legislation for the double fines to be in effect.
CONSTBUCTIf1N
ZONE
SPEEd FINES ~ GONSIRUGTION
DOUBLED SPEED f~NES ZO(VE
IN CONSTRUCTION DOUBLED
ZONES WHEN WHEN WORKERS
WORKERS PRESENT PRESENT ~
Examples of the Doubling of Fines for Speeding in Construction Zones
• The previous HTA fine for exceeding the speed limit by 20 km/h was $4.50 per km/h
over the speed limit and 3 demerit points. With the Bill 169 amendment, the fine for
exceeding the posted speed limit in a construction zone where workers are present is
doubled to $9.00 per km/h (demerit points remain at 3}.
• Also under Bill 169, the HTA fines for traveling 30 to 34 km/h over the speed limit have
increased from the previous $4.50 per km/h to $7.00 per km/h and 4 demerit points.
When this new amount is doubled it increases to $14.00 per km/h over the limit (demerit
points remain at 4}.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Cost of sign manufacturing and installation as required would be paid for under the project
related to the construction designated zone or existing sign maintenance budget.
John McBride, Director Ken Carmichael, C.E.T.
Transportation Planning Supervisor of Traffic & Parking
Stephanie Brasseur, C.E.T.
Traffic Project Co-ordinator
Transportation Planning
SB