HomeMy WebLinkAboutEGD-07-02
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Cl~iggron
REPORT
ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Date:
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Resolution #: GPft-D;).o-D;)..
MONDAy,JANUARY21,2002101
EGD-07-02 File #: PB.10.80
Meeting:
Report #:
By-law #:
Subject:
FLUORESCENT YELLOW/GREEN SCHOOL SIGNS
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report EGD-07-02 be received;
2. THAT for improved safety, the black on fluorescent yellow/green colours be
adopted as the standard for school area, school crossing and school crossing
ahead signs in Clarington to be consistent with: the Transportation Association of
Canada, Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the Region of Durham and a
growing number of Ontario Municipalities;
3 THAT funding for the conversion from the white on blue coloured signs to the
new, black on fluorescent yellow green, signs be considered in the Operations
Department 2002 budget; and
4 THAT a copy of this report be forwarded to the Region of Durham for their
consideration of changing all applicable school signs on Regional Roads within
Clarington during 2002.
Submitted by: ~11J
A.S. Cannella, C.E.T.,
Director of Engineering Services
Reviewed by:G ~~
Franklin Wu
Chief Administrative Officer
RDB*ASC*ce
14/01/02
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REPORT NO.: EGD-07-02
PAGE 2
1.0 BACKGROUND
Correspondence dated December 6, 2001 from the City of Oshawa included a
copy of their report OS-01-465 detailing their intention to adopt the new, black on
fluorescent yellow/green, school signs during 2002.
The Regional Municipality of Durham, Works Committee Report 2002-W-7 Dated
January 9, 2002 endorsed the conversion to the new colours commencing in
2002. Depending upon budget approvals the conversion may be stretched over
two years but coordination with area municipalities would be encouraged.
2.0 COMMENTS
2.1 Evolution of the Conversion to Fluorescent Yellow Green
The safety of young school children walking across streets is a concem for all
parents and municipalities. The Region of Durham Traffic Advisory Committee,
which has representation from all municipalities within its borders, has been
evaluating the implementation of the fluorescent yellow/green colour for school
signs in a number of Ontario jurisdictions. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo
was one of the first to convert the traditional, white on blue, coloured signs to the,
black on fluorescent yellow green, colours in 1998.
Although the new colour of school signs has been approved in the Canadian
version of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the Committee members
have, in the past, been reluctant to recommend the changes to their respective
Councils because it has not been officially approved in the Ontario version of the
traffic manual. There were initial concerns that if the province did not adopt the
new standard there would be liability issues and a lack of uniformity across the
province. Since 1998, more municipalities, including Metro Toronto, have now
committed to adopting the new fluorescent yellow/green colours, which are
viewed as brighter, safer and an upgrade to the existing white on blue, engineer
grade, reflective sheeting in use.
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REPORT NO.: EGD-07-02
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The Ontario manual is expected to be revised at some point in the future as more
municipalities adopt the black on fluorescent yellow green colours. The City of
Oshawa has endorsed the use of the new colours, as has the Region of Durham.
Although the white on blue signs shown in the Ontario Manual of Uniform Traffic
control devices remain as an official and acceptable sign, other jurisdictions within
Durham are expected to adopt the new colours during 2002.
2.2 The Product
The 3M Scotchlite, fluorescent yellow green, diamond grade, reflective sheeting is
a patented product, only available from 3M. The new sheeting is significantly
more visible, particularly in low light conditions such as dusk, dawn or fog, than
the engineering grade, white on blue, reflective sheeting in use. The exceptional
visibility and high luminance qualities of the new sheeting has more impact and
alerts drivers earlier and provides the highest visibility available 24 hours per day.
This new product also has a very stable colour, which retains very high reflectivity
characteristics for the life of the sign and has a warranty of 10 years.
2.3 Conversion Costs
The cost of the signs with the new sheeting is more than double the existing cost
with a school crossing ahead sign increasing from $33.00 to approximately
$78.00. The cost to purchase the new signs during 2002 is approximately
$14,000.00. Although there are approximately 200 signs which need to be
replaced on municipal roadways, conversion time should be short as the existing
support posts can be utilized.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Correspondence from City of Oshawa Dated December 6, 2001,
Including Report OS-01-465, Adopting New Colours
Attachment 2 - School Area, School Crossing and School Crossing Signs Being
Converted from White on Blue, to Black on Fluorescent Yellow Green
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REPORT NO.: EGD-07-02
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Interested party to be advised of Council's decision:
Region of Durham
Attn: Bob Szwarz
Box 623, 105 Consumers Drive
Whitby, Ontario
L1N6A3
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1 C 3A6 T (905) 623-3379 F (905) 623-9282
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Department of Corporate Services
File E-2160
December 6. 2001
P. L. Barrie, Clerk
Municipality of Clarington
40 Temperance Street
Bowmanville. ON LIe 3A6
Re: Consideration of the Use of Fluorescent Yellow/Green School Signs
City Council considered the matter at a meeting held December 3, 2001, and adopted the following
recommendation of the Operational Services Committee:
'"I. That the fluorescent yellow/green colour be adopted as the standard for school area. school
crossing and school crossing ahead signs cor.sistent with the Transportation Association of
Canada, Manual of Unit arm Traffic Control Devices:
') That funding for the conversion of signs to the new standard be considered with the 2002
Operating Budget; and
3. That copies of Report OS-01-465 dated November 8, 2001, from the Commissioner,
Department of Operational Services be fOl'\varded to the Region of Durham and its area
municipalities. ..
Your consideration of this important issue is appreciated.
As noted. I have enclosed a copy of Report OS-01-465 from the Commissioner, Department of Operational
Services.
If you need further assistance, please .:ontact Mike Bellamy, Director, Transportation and Parking Services
our Department of Operational Services at the address below. or by phone at 905-436-5636, extension 2380.
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Sandra Kranc
City Clerk
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The Corporation of the City of Oshawa
City Clerk Services
50 Centre Street South, Oshawa, Ontario l1 H 327
TEL: 19051 436-5639, FAX: (905) 436-5697
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REPORT NO.: EGD-07-02
Report to the Operational
Services Committee (Continued)
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Item: OS-01-465 .
Meeting Date: November 26, 2001 \.
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Several municipalities in Ontario began test installations of the fluorescent yellow/green signs a
few years ago. Although there have been no studies done to date to prove their effectiveness,
intuitively most people [md these signs more visible than the blue signs.
3.2 Standards
Roadway signing standards are published in two documents; both are called the Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). One is produced as a national standard by the
Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) and the other is a provincial standard prepared by
the Ministry of Transportation (MTO).
In 2000, the TAC MUTCD adopted the fluorescent yellow/green colour for school signs in
Canada_ At this time, the MTO MUTCD continues to prescribe the blue colour for these signs,
but it is expected to be modified at some time in the future.
3.2.1 Other Municipal Experience
Notwithstanding that the MTO MUTCD presently prescribes the blue colour for school signing,
the use of fluorescent yellow/green signs is increasing across Ontario. Earlier this year the City
of Toronto adopted the new colour as its standard and will begin a conversion program in 2002.
In Oshawa, there are school signs on local streets and on regional roads. If either the Region or
the City were to independently change the colour of their signs, the lack of consistency would
seriously impact the effectiveness of these important warning devices_ For this reason, the
subject of fluorescent yellow/green signs was raised at a recent Durham Regional Traffic
Advisory Committee Meeting.
The Traffic Advisory Committee meets semi-annually to discuss traffic issues and is made up of
transportation staff of the Region, the area municipalities and the Durham Regional Police
Service. Following discussion at the Traffic Advisory Committee, the majority of the
representatives indicated they would recommend a change of colour for school signs to their
respective Councils.
4.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There are approximately 235 school-related signs on local streets in Oshawa. The cost to replace
these with the fluorescent yellow/green type is estimated to be $28,000. It is recommended that
this conversion be carried out in 2002. The Region will be proposing, in its 2002 budget, to
convert all the school signs on Regional roads in Oshawa.
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Report
Oshawa
rllr Citv in Motion
To:
Item:
Date of Report:
Operational Services Committee
OS-01-465
November 8, 2001
Date of Meeting:
From:
File:
Commissioner,
Department of Operational Services
E-2162
E-5100
November 26, 2001
Subject: Consideration of the Use of Fluorescent Yellow/Green Ward:
School Signs All
1.0 BACKGROUND
In response to a request by the Operational Services Committee, staff presented a verbal report to
the Committee at its meeting of July 10,2001, on the subject of Fluorescent Yellow/Green School
Area and Crossing Signs. Subsequently Council, at its meeting of July 16,2001, directed staff to:
"Work with the Region and other area Municipalities to achieve a uniform
conversion of School area signs to the fluorescent yellow/green colour and
that this matter be considered in conjunction with the 2002 budget."
The purpose of this report is to advise Council of the outcome of discussions with the Region and
the Traffic Advisory Committee and to recommend adoption of a new standard for school signs in
the City of Oshawa.
2.0 INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES
Staff of the Region of Durham Works Department have been consulted along with representatives
of other municipalities within and outside the Region of Durham.
3.0 ANALYSIS
3.1 Sign Colour
School signs in Canada have historically been blue with white lettering. In the United States
however, these signs have been yellow with black lettering, as are all warning signs in the U.S.
and Canada. In the late 1990's, the U.S. Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices approved
the use of a new sign colour, referred to as fluorescent yellow/green for school signs, to
distinguish them from other warning signs.
In Canada, although school signs are different in colour from warning signs, some municipalities
felt the new colour would have a greater visual impact in the road environment. Also, the blue
school signs are losing their identity as more blue signs appear on the roadway including the
Tourism Oriented Destination Signs (TODS) used on provincial highways.
98011-9901
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Report to the Operational
Services Committee (Continued)
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Item: OS-01-465
Meeting Date: November 26, 2001
5.0 CONCLUSION
Fluorescent yellow/green school signs are now approved in the Canadian MUTCD. These signs
are becoming increasingly more common in Ontario as they are clearly more visible than the
current blue/white version. The new standard is expected to be incorporated in the Provincial
MUTCD at some time in the future. Now that the Region of Durham and the majority of the area
municipalities in Durham Region are prepared to make this change, it is appropriate for the City
of Os haw a to adopt this standard as well.
6.0 RECOMMENDED ACTION
That the Operational Services Committee recommend to City Council that:
I) The fluorescent yellow/green colour be adopted as the standard for school area,
school crossing and school crossing ahead signs consistent with the Transportation
Association of Canada, Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices;
2) That funding for the conversion of signs to the new standard be considered with
the 2002 Operating Budget; and
3) That copies of the Commissioner of Operational Services Report, OS-01-465
dated November 26, 2001 be forwarded to the Region of Durham and its area
municipalities.
Mike e lamy, Director
Transportation and Parking Services
Department of Operational Services
Bob Duignan, Com . . ner
Department of Operational Services
RSD/MB/CAK/dh
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Wc-1 (60x60) cm
COLOUR: White Rell. Graphic,
Blue Rell. Back9round.
BLANK NO: M.T.O. B-24a
SUPPORT: Wood (10x10) cm
Wc-101 (80x80) cm
COLOUR: White Rell. Graphic,
Blue Rell. Background.
BLANK NO: M.T.O. B-24
SUPPORT: Wood (10x10) cm
Wc-2 (60x90) cm
COLOUR: White Retl. Symbol & Border,
Blue Refl. Background.
BLANK NO: B-20
SUPPORT: Wood (10x10)cm
We-2A (60x90) em
COLOUR: White Rell. Symbol, Arrow & Border,
Blue Rell. Background
BLANK NO: M.T.O. B-20
. SUPPORT: Wood (1OX10)em
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ATTACHMENT NO.: 2
REPORT NO.: EGD-07-02