Report to/Rapport au :

Transportation Committee

Comité des transports

and Council / et au Conseil

26 October 2005 / le 26 octobre 2005

Submitted by/Soumis par :

R.G. Hewitt, Acting Deputy City Manager/Directeur municipal adjoint intérimaire,

Public Works and Services/Services et Travaux publics

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Michael J. Flainek, P. Eng., Director/Directeur

Traffic & Parking Operations/Circulation et stationnement

(613) 580-2424 x 26882, Michael.Flainek@ottawa.ca

Ref N°: ACS2005-PWS-TRF-0002

SUBJECT:	TRUCK ROUTE DESIGNATION POLICY
OBJET :	POLITIQUE DE DÉSIGNATION DES ITINÉRAIRES POUR CAMIONS

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

That Transportation Committee recommend Council:

1. Approve the Truck Route Designation Policy as outlined in this report (Document 1);

2. Receive the 2005 Truck Routes maps for information (Document 2); and,

3. Approve the installation of permissive truck route signing for those locations where

signs are currently missing on an "as-required" basis.

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

Le Comité des transports recommande que le Conseil municipal :

1. Approuve la politique de désignation des routes pour camions telle qu’énoncée dans ce rapport (Document 1) ;

2. Prenne connaissance des itinéraires des camions (Document 2); et,

3. Approuver l’installation d’une signalisation autorisant la circulation de camions dans les emplacements où cette signalisation est absente, selon les besoins.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Assumptions and Analysis

Following amalgamation, it was identified that there was a need to harmonize City policies. This included the designation of roads under the jurisdiction of the City of Ottawa that will be signed as truck routes and identified for that purpose in the Traffic and Parking By-law. These roads form the City's Truck Route System.

The basis for the City of Ottawa Truck Route Designation Policy, attached as Document 1, resulted from the work conducted by the consultant (Totten Sims Hubicki Associates) retained to develop and recommend a harmonized Truck Route Policy. The existing and recommended Truck Route System reflects only those truck routes designated by the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton and constituent municipalities, including those which have been introduced since amalgamation by virtue of new arterial road construction. As all of those changes were previously approved by Regional Council or a Council of a former constituent municipality, or, City Council since 1 January 2001, individual Ward Councillors were not specifically consulted in the preparation of this report.

Financial Implications

The request for the installation of permissive signage corresponds with provisions of the City of Ottawa Traffic and Parking By-law and the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, and will result in meeting the requirement of the "Ontario Traffic Manual, Book 5 - Regulatory Signs".

While a detailed city-wide inspection has not been conducted to determine the exact number of new signs required to fully comply with those provisions, it is acknowledged that there are gaps in Truck Route signage particularly in the rural area. These deficiencies are being addressed as they come to light and are being charged to the Traffic Operations Sign Maintenance Operating Budget. As this approach appears to be adequate in coping with that need, it is anticipated that unless there are major changes to the Truck Route Network or in legislated requirements pertaining to Truck Route signage, this trend will continue.

Public Consultation/Input

Consultation with a wide variety of groups was undertaken during the Study. Among others, comments were received from the National Capital Commission, the Ontario Trucking Association, the former City Transportation Advisory Committee, the City's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, and City staff.

As the resultant Truck Route System reflects only those truck routes designated by the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton and constituent municipalities, including those which have been introduced since amalgamation by virtue of new arterial road construction, individual Ward Councillors were not specifically consulted in the preparation of this report as all of those changes were previously approved by Region Council or a Council of a former constituent municipality, or, City Council since 1 January 2001.

RÉSUMÉ

Hypothèses et analyse

À la suite de la fusion, on a déterminé qu'il était nécessaire d'harmoniser les politiques de la Ville. Cela consistait notamment à désigner des routes relevant de la compétence de la Ville d'Ottawa comme itinéraires pour camions, de les doter de panneaux et de les identifier à cette fin dans le Règlement sur la circulation et le stationnement. Ces routes forment le Système d'itinéraires pour les poids lourds de la Ville.

La base de la Politique de désignation des itinéraires pour camions de la Ville d'Ottawa, ci-jointe comme Document 1, découle des travaux accomplis par le consultant (Totten Sims Hubicki Associates) qui a été chargé d'élaborer et de recommander une politique harmonisée de désignation des itinéraires pour camions. Le Système d'itinéraires pour les poids lourds actuel et recommandé ne reflète que les itinéraires pour camions désignés par l'ancienne Municipalité régionale d'Ottawa-Carleton et les municipalités constitutives, y compris ceux établis depuis la fusion en raison de la construction de nouvelles routes de dégagement. Puisque le Conseil régional, ou le Conseil d’une ancienne municipalité constitutive ou le Conseil municipal depuis le 1^er janvier 2001 avaient déjà approuvé tous ces changements, les conseillers de chaque quartier n’ont pas été particulièrement consultés durant la préparation du présent rapport.

Répercussions financières

La demande d’installation de panneaux d’autorisation est conforme aux stipulations du Règlement sur la circulation et le stationnement de la Ville d’Ottawa et du Code de la route de l’Ontario, et répondra également aux exigences du « Manuel du Code de la route de l’Ontario, livret 5 – Panneau de signalisation ».

Bien qu’on n’ait pas mené une inspection approfondie à la grandeur de la ville afin de déterminer le nombre exact de nouveaux panneaux à installer pour satisfaire pleinement à ces stipulations, on reconnaît que la signalisation des routes pour camions est déficiente, surtout en milieu rural. On installe des panneaux au fur et à mesure que le besoin est relevé et on les facture au budget de fonctionnement du service d’entretien des panneaux de la Circulation routière. Comme cette approche semble combler ce besoin de manière satisfaisante, on prévoit que cette tendance se maintiendra, à moins que d’importantes modifications ne soient apportées au réseau routier pour camions ou aux exigences législatives liées à la signalisation des routes pour camions.

Consultation – rétroaction du public

Cette étude a fait l’objet d’une consultation auprès de divers groupes d’intérêt présentant des points de vue variés. Entre autres, des commentaires nous sont parvenus de la Commission de la capitale nationale et des membres de l’Association de camionnage de l’Ontario, de l’ancien Comité consultatif de transport, du Comité consultatif sur l’agriculture et les affaires rurales et du personnel de la ville.

Puisque le réseau d’itinéraires pour camions subséquent ne reflète que les itinéraires pour camions désignés par la Municipalité régionale d’Ottawa-Carleton et les municipalités constitutives, y compris ceux qui ont été établis depuis la fusion en raison de la construction de nouvelles routes de dégagement, et que le Conseil régional, ou le Conseil d’une ancienne municipalité constitutive ou le Conseil municipal depuis le 1^er janvier 2001 avaient déjà approuvé tous ces changements, les conseillers de chaque quartier n’ont pas été particulièrement consultés durant la préparation du présent rapport.

BACKGROUND

At Council’s direction, a set of projects were undertaken to harmonize City policies following amalgamation. One of these was the harmonization of the Truck Route System to designate roads under the jurisdiction of the City of Ottawa, to be signed as truck routes and identified for that purpose in the Traffic and Parking By-law. In this By-law, “heavy trucks” are defined as any motor vehicle having a carrying capacity in excess of one tonne and/or having a gross weight in excess of four and one-half tonnes. Public transit vehicles travelling on transit routes, ambulances and school vehicles, are not considered “heavy trucks” for the purposes of the Traffic and Parking By-law.

The City retained Totten Sims Hubicki Associates to develop and recommend a harmonized City of Ottawa Truck Route Designation Policy. The consultant’s report, entitled "Truck Route Designation Policy", provided the basis for the City of Ottawa Truck Route Designation Policy, attached as Document 1.

The existing Truck Route System evolved over many years and largely confirmed the result of a truck route study undertaken in the early 1980’s by the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa-

Carleton. The proposed harmonized Truck Route System is consistent with the truck routes designated by the former Region of Ottawa-Carleton and constituent municipalities which have been in effect for a number of years.

DISCUSSION

The objectives and criteria used during the development of the former Region’s Truck Route Policy are still relevant and were used as the foundation for the development of an updated City of Ottawa Truck Route Designation Policy, attached as Document 1.

Roadways designated as a result of the City of Ottawa Truck Route Designation Policy are identified with permissive signage in accordance with the provisions of the City of Ottawa Traffic and Parking By-law and the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and are to meet the requirements of the Ontario Traffic Manual, Book 5 - Regulatory Signs.

CONSULTATION

Internal and external contacts, representing a wide range of interests and perspectives, were made during the Study. In addition to City staff, comments were received from the National Capital Commission and members of the Ontario Trucking Association, the former Transportation Advisory Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.

Improved public awareness is essential to the understanding of and adherence to the City of Ottawa Truck Route Designation Policy. Based on the consultation undertaken, education was identified as being of key importance. Elements may include placement of display maps and handout maps at truck stops, coordination with centres where truckers are trained, installation of permissive truck route signs where currently missing, and making the truck route map easier to find on the City’s web site. Public education is also required to increase understanding of the provisions the Traffic and Parking By-law that permit deviations from the Truck Route System, such as for successive deliveries off the truck routes.

The existing and recommended Truck Route System reflects only those truck routes designated by the former Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton and constituent municipalities, including those which have been introduced since amalgamation by virtue of new arterial road construction. As all of those changes were previously approved by Regional Council or a Council of a former constituent municipality, or, City Council since 1 January 2001, individual Ward Councillors were not specifically consulted in the prepartion of this report.

The 2005 Urban and Rural Truck Routes Maps, attached as Document 2, reflect the harmonized policy as discussed. Document 3 provides details of further required changes to the maps and the Traffic and Parking By-law in accordance with the City of Ottawa Truck Route Designation Policy. It is stressed that these amendments represent housekeeping items only as all were previously approved by the former Regional Council, former Municipal Councils, or City Council since 1 January 2001.

Requests for revisions to the Truck Route System will follow the Policy as attached including consultation with the affected Ward Councillor.

TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN

The objectives and criteria for the designation of truck routes in the attached City of Ottawa Truck Route Designation Policy are consistent with the strategic directions of the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan and the Transportation Master Plan, as approved by City Council.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The request for the installation of permissive signage corresponds with provisions of the City of Ottawa Traffic and Parking By-law and the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, and will result in meeting the requirement of the "Ontario Traffic Manual, Book 5 - Regulatory Signs".

While a detailed city-wide inspection has not been conducted to determine the exact number of new signs required to fully comply with those provisions, it is acknowledged that there are gaps in Truck Route signage particularly in the rural area. These deficiencies are being addressed as they come to light and are being charged to the general sign maintenance element of the Operating Budget. As this approach appears to be adequate in coping with that need, it is anticipated that unless there are major changes to the Truck Route Network or in legislated requirements pertaining to Truck Route signage, this trend will continue.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1 City of Ottawa Truck Route Designation Policy

Document 2 2005 Urban and Rural Truck Routes Maps (2)

Document 3 Revisions Required to the Current By-law Listing and Truck Route Map

DISPOSITION

Staff will prepare amendments to the Traffic and Parking By-law regarding truck route designations to reflect changes identified in Document 3 for implementation. It is stressed that these amendments represent housekeeping items only as all were previously approved by the former Regional and Municipal Councils or City Council since 1 January 2001.

In response to specific problems or issues, staff will proceed with installation of required permissive truck route designation signage, as needed.

Staff will continue efforts to improve public understanding and awareness of the City of Ottawa Truck Route Designation Policy by providing information to truckers and by working to enhance the ease by which the truck route maps and all associated regulations may be accessed through the City's web site.

DOCUMENT

1

Subject: Truck Route Designation Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2005-PWS-TRF-0002	Date: 6 July 2005	Page #: 1	No. of Pages : 2

Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to establish the basis for designating roadways under the jurisdiction of the City of Ottawa as Truck Routes.

Objectives

The following objectives are to be used for the development and updates to the Truck Route System:

• efficient movement of trucks;
• safe movement of trucks;
• efficient movement of other traffic;
• minimization of environmental disruption to citizens; and,
• minimization of structural damage to roadways and structures.

Criteria

The following criteria should be applied as guidelines, to assess existing and proposed road links for their suitability as Truck Routes and to optimize the Truck Route System:

1. System/Network Criteria:

a. identify a continuous truck route system with easy access to and from provincial highways, freeways, major through routes, and truck traffic generators and attractors;

b. include sufficient network linkages to avoid over-concentration of truck movements and

congestion;

c. identify routes with good traffic flow to minimize stop and start occurrences; and,

d. avoid high pedestrian corridors and areas with significant traffic conflicts.

2. Physical Characteristics Criteria:

a. particularly in urban areas, where possible select 4-lane roadways with 3.5 m lanes,

adequate turning radii; vertical clearance of 5.4 m; and maximum grade of 4%; and,

b. include only those linkages with pavement and structures that are structurally adequate

for truck traffic.

3. Environmental Criteria:

a. minimize impacts of truck traffic (vibration, noise and emissions) on sensitive areas such

as residential neighbourhoods, hospitals, schools;

b. avoid routes adjacent to heritage/weak structures; and,

c. avoid bisecting communities/neighbourhoods.

Subject: Truck Route Designation Policy		New: X Revised:	Policy/Procedure No.
Source: Council Report ACS2005-PWS-TRF-0002	Date: 6 July 2005	Page #: 2	No. of Pages : 2

0

The table below summarizes Truck Route Designation Guidelines.

TRUCK ROUTE DESIGNATION GUIDELINES
		Road Class
	Land Use and Policy Plans	City Freeway	Arterial	Major Collector/Collector
	Central Area	Designate as Truck Route	Designate selected arterials to provide necessary connectivity and continuity while minimizing impacts on residential areas.	Designate selected collectors to provide necessary connectivity and continuity while minimizing impacts on residential streets.
	General Urban Area		Generally designate as Truck Routes. Avoid residential arterials where reasonable.
	Rural Area		Generally designate as Truck Routes.
	Employment and Enterprise Areas	Designate as Truck Route	Generally designate as Truck Routes.	Generally designate as Truck Routes.
	Villages	Designate as Truck Route	Generally designate as Truck Routes. Avoid residential arterials where reasonable.	Designate selected collectors to provide necessary connectivity and continuity while minimizing impacts on residential roads.

Review

The Truck Route System should undergo a comprehensive review regularly as part of the Transportation Master Plan process. On an annual basis, the Truck Route System should be updated based on current pavement/structure condition and/or new construction, prior to the publication of the annual map. Development plans should consider the need for truck route linkages and ensure that these are provided in accordance with the desirable criteria established.

Signing

Permissive signing, consistent with the City of Ottawa Traffic and Parking By-law and Ontario Traffic Manual Book 5 – Regulatory Signs, shall be placed on all truck routes. Prohibitive signage may be used at problematic locations.

DOCUMENT 2

2005 URBAN AND RURAL TRUCK ROUTES MAPS

DOCUMENT 3

REVISIONS REQUIRED TO THE CURRENT BY-LAW LISTING

AND TRUCK ROUTE MAP . THIS IS A HOUSEKEEPING REQUIREMENT ONLY

To be added to the Truck Route Map:

· Ages Drive between Hawthorne Road and Swansea Crescent

· Blackwell Street between Bantree Street and Leeds Avenue

· Bourassa Street between St. Laurent Boulevard and Gladwin Crescent

· Commissioner Street between Wellington Street and Bronson Avenue

· Gladwin Crescent between Lancaster Road and the easterly end of Gladwin Crescent

· Leeds Avenue between Blackwell Street and Sheffield Road

· Legacy Road between Ages Road and Swansea Crescent

· Stevenage Drive between the southerly end of Stevenage Drive and Hawthorne Road

· Swansea Crescent between the southerly end of Stevenage Drive and Stevenage Drive

To be added to the By-law listing:

· Ages Drive between Hawthorne Road and Swansea Crescent

· Blackwell Street between Bantree Street and Leeds Avenue

· Bourassa Street between St. Laurent Boulevard and Gladwin Crescent

· Cambrian Road from Richmond Road (Ottawa Road 59) to Moodie Drive (Ottawa Road 11)

· Castlefrank Road from Highway 417 to Earl Grey Drive

· Colonnade Road North and South between Merivale Road and Prince of Wales Drive

· Frank Kenny Road between Innes Road (Ottawa Road 30) and Rockdale Road (Ottawa Road 33)

· Gladwin Crescent between Lancaster Road and the easterly end of Gladwin Crescent

· Leeds Avenue between Blackwell Street and Sheffield Road

· Legacy Road between Ages Road and Swansea Crescent

· McKenna Casey Drive from Moodie Drive (Ottawa Road 11) to Strandherd Drive

· Richmond Road from Eagleson (Oottawa Road 49) to Fallowfield (Ottawa Road 12)

· Riddell Road from Dunrobin Road (Ottawa Road 9) to Torwood Road

· Stevenage Drive between the southerly end of Stevenage Drive and Hawthorne Road

· Swansea Crescent between the southerly end of Stevenage Drive and Stevenage Drive

· Torwood Road from Riddell Road to Vances Side Road

· Tremblay Road between St. Laurent Boulevard and Triole Street

· Triole Street between Parisien Street and Tremblay Road

· Vances Side Road from Torwood Road to Dunrobin Road (Ottawa Road 9)

To be corrected in the By-law listing:

· Revise the listing for Gladstone Avenue to read from Preston Street to Bronson Avenue and from Kent Street to Elgin Street

· Revise permitted time for heavy vehicles on Russell Road between St. Laurent Boulevard and Walkley Road to 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

· Revise Parisien Street between St. Laurent Boulevard and Marchand Street to read between Triole Street and Marchand Street (Connection from St. Laurent no longer exists)

· Delete the listing for Donald Street from Rideau River to Cummings Avenue (covered in another listing)

· Revise road names “Road C” and “Road E”, RMOC in the area of St. Laurent Boulevard and Highway 417. Road C is Labelle Street and Road E is Lemieux Street

· Delete St. Laurent Boulevard between Russell Road and Walkley Road (road not included in truck routes)

· Remove Walkley Road, City of Ottawa between Russell Road and Sheffield Road (covered under the Walkley Road listing from Bank Street to Ottawa Road 43)

· Revise to read Ottawa Road 33 between Ottawa Road 8 and South limits of the City of the City of Ottawa.