Regulation - LGIC
Pedestrian Crossovers
Regulation Number(s):
O.R. 615 and new regulation
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990
Summary of Decision:
The regulation came into force on January 1, 2016.
Further Information:
Ontario Regulation 402/15, Pedestrian Crossover Signs
Proposal Number:
15-MTO064
Posting Date:
August 12, 2015
Summary of Proposal:
On June 2, 2015, Bill 31, the Transportation Statute Law Amendment Act (Making Ontario's Roads Safer), 2015, received Royal Assent. The Bill includes a number of legislative amendments to the Highway Traffic Act to improve road safety in Ontario. One of these measures relates to pedestrian crossovers.
By way of background, in 2010, the Ministry of Transportation published the "Ontario Traffic Manual Book 15 - Pedestrian Crossing Facilities" to provide guidance to engineering practitioners on the safe, uniform and consistent treatment of pedestrian crossing facilities on a wide variety of roadways throughout Ontario. Subsequently, the Transportation Association of Canada, in December 2012, published the "Pedestrian Crossing Control Guide, Second Edition" to promote uniformity across Canada and improve pedestrian safety. The Guide describes a number of crossing devices not currently authorized under the Highway Traffic Act. This Guide has been endorsed by the Chief Engineers Council with representatives from all provinces and territories.
Additionally, the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario, in September 2012, released a report entitled "Review of All Accidental Pedestrian Deaths in Ontario from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010". The report made 26 recommendations, two of which focussed on pedestrian safety under the Highway Traffic Act. The report specifically recommended amendments to the Act to enhance pedestrian safety and to allow municipalities to erect non-signalized pedestrian crossings for mid-block crossings in residential areas. Municipalities have supported these recommendations.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Transportation has been consulting with municipalities regarding new pedestrian crossing devices. It is now seeking public feedback on proposed regulatory amendments to the Highway Traffic Act enabling the use of new pedestrian crossover devices. Specifically, the regulations will enable the introduction of new pedestrian crossing devices for mid-block and intersection crossings on low speed/low volume roads. These new crossing device options will improve pavement markings to enhance the visibility of pedestrians by clearly identifying the crossing area. They will also require the posting of additional signs to alert drivers of the crossings and to caution them about yielding to pedestrians in the crossing area. These new crossover devices will enhance pedestrian safety on these types of roads.
By way of background, in 2010, the Ministry of Transportation published the "Ontario Traffic Manual Book 15 - Pedestrian Crossing Facilities" to provide guidance to engineering practitioners on the safe, uniform and consistent treatment of pedestrian crossing facilities on a wide variety of roadways throughout Ontario. Subsequently, the Transportation Association of Canada, in December 2012, published the "Pedestrian Crossing Control Guide, Second Edition" to promote uniformity across Canada and improve pedestrian safety. The Guide describes a number of crossing devices not currently authorized under the Highway Traffic Act. This Guide has been endorsed by the Chief Engineers Council with representatives from all provinces and territories.
Additionally, the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario, in September 2012, released a report entitled "Review of All Accidental Pedestrian Deaths in Ontario from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010". The report made 26 recommendations, two of which focussed on pedestrian safety under the Highway Traffic Act. The report specifically recommended amendments to the Act to enhance pedestrian safety and to allow municipalities to erect non-signalized pedestrian crossings for mid-block crossings in residential areas. Municipalities have supported these recommendations.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Transportation has been consulting with municipalities regarding new pedestrian crossing devices. It is now seeking public feedback on proposed regulatory amendments to the Highway Traffic Act enabling the use of new pedestrian crossover devices. Specifically, the regulations will enable the introduction of new pedestrian crossing devices for mid-block and intersection crossings on low speed/low volume roads. These new crossing device options will improve pavement markings to enhance the visibility of pedestrians by clearly identifying the crossing area. They will also require the posting of additional signs to alert drivers of the crossings and to caution them about yielding to pedestrians in the crossing area. These new crossover devices will enhance pedestrian safety on these types of roads.
Contact Address:
Highway Standards Branch
301 St. Paul Street, 2nd Floor
St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7R4
301 St. Paul Street, 2nd Floor
St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7R4
Effective Date:
January 1, 2016
Decision:
Approved