HomeMy WebLinkAboutBy-law No. 2018-085 THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM
BY-LAW NO. 2018-085
BEING A BY-LAW TO ADOPT MUNICIPALITY OF BAYHAM SPEED LIMIT
ASSESSMENT POLICY
WHEREAS the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Bayham recognizes the
need for a clear and concise policy to maintain speed limits on Municipality of Bayham
roads;
AND WHEREAS the Council of The Corporation of the Municipality of Bayham deems it
advisable that the Municipality of Bayham Speed Limit Assessment Policy be confirmed
and adopted by By-law;
THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF
BAYHAM ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:
1. THAT effective upon passage the Municipality of Bayham Speed Limit Assessment
Policy attached hereto as Schedule "A" and forming part of this by-law is hereby
adopted;
2. AND THAT this by-law shall come into force and take effect on the final passing
thereof.
READ A FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD TIME AND FINALLY PASSED THIS 4th DAY OF
OCTOBER 2018.
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SPEED LIMIT ASSESSMENT POLICY
Section 1 —Overview
1.1 The Municipality of Bayham sets speed limits in accordance with the Highway
Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8 with default speed limits being:
i. 50 kilometres per hour on a highway within a built-up area;
ii. 80 kilometres per hour on a highway, not within a built-up area.
1.2 The Municipality of Bayham road network is a dynamic system. The critical
parameters of roadside environment, road geometry, adjacent land use and access
frequency are considered when establishing a speed zone. Generally accepted
justifications for speed limit revisions include:
i. Changing Land Use - Urbanization resulting from new development and
infrastructure can include changing land uses and traffic patterns along the
road corridor. When communities are built adjacent to roads, operating
conditions of these roads may change to reflect increases in volumes,
intersections, driveway connections, turning movements, pedestrians,
cyclists and transit activities.
ii. Promoting Consistent Speed Limits - Speed limits that change frequently
within short distances on the same road can result in driver confusion and
low compliance of speed limits. Limiting the number of speed zone changes
encourages driver compliance.
iii. Improving Traffic Operations - Credible speed limits that match driver
expectations for a given roadway and its surrounding area improve traffic
operations, increase speed limit compliance, provide a clear reminder to
violators and reduce arbitrary enforcement and conviction tolerances. With
the appropriate posted speed limit, the amount of time drivers have to react
to potential hazards is also increased.
1.3 The intent of the Municipality of Bayham Speed Limit Assessment Procedure is to
maintain speed limits on Municipality of Bayham roads that promote public safety
and have a reasonable expectation of driver adherence.
Section 2 —Application
2.1 The Municipality of Bayham Speed Limit Assessment Policy shall be applicable to
all roads under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Bayham within the Municipality
of Bayham.
2.2 Elgin County shall be responsible for all speed limit alteration requests for all roads
under the jurisdiction of Elgin County within the Municipality of Bayham.
i. The Municipality of Bayham shall refer all speed limit alteration requests to
the Elgin County Director of Engineering Services for consideration.
Section 3 — Procedure
3.1 Upon receipt of a written request for a speed limit alteration, the Road Operations
Supervisor will:
i. Receive the request for information and take no action; or
ii. Conduct a Speed Limit Assessment pursuant to the Municipality of
Bayham Speed Limit Assessment Policy and:
a. Take no action and the speed limit remains unchanged; or
b. Extend or modify the limits of a built-up area' or 'not within a built-
up area' and sign accordingly; or
c. Make recommendation to Council to modify the posted rate of speed
on a subject section of road by by-law.
3.2 All decisions of the Road Operations Supervisor may be appealed to and
considered by Council.
i. A person must submit a request in writing for Council to consider an
appeal. The written request must be submitted in accordance with the
Municipality of Bayham Procedural By-law.
Section 4 — Speed Limit Assessment Policy
4.1 The Municipality of Bayham sets speed limits in accordance with the Highway
Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8 with default speed limits being:
i. 50 kilometres per hour on a highway within a built-up area;
ii. 80 kilometres per hour on a highway, not within a built-up area.
4.2 The Municipality of Bayham road network is monitored through road patrols and
biennial traffic counts to determine Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT).
4.3 Where speed limit alterations are requested the Road Operations Supervisor will
assess the speed limit based upon setting a posted speed limit at or near the 85th
percentile speed based on actual measurements of the highway operating speed or
as indicated in the Highway Traffic Act. The 85th percentile speed is the speed at
which 85% of the vehicles are travelling at or below.
4.4 The consideration of a speed limit at or near the 85th percentile speed is supported
by external traffic engineering studies regarding driver behaviour, which have
proven the following:
i. Drivers tend to drive at a speed that they feel comfortable based on
roadway geometrics and roadside development;
ii. Setting the posted speed limit at the 85th percentile speed will generally
result in a low dispersion in the travel speeds in the traffic stream;
iii. Lowering the posted speed limit has little effect on the long term operating
speed;
iv. A posted speed limit that is set too low will result in a significant number of
reasonable drivers operating illegally, place unnecessary burdens on law
enforcement personnel and lead to a lack of credibility of the posted speed
limit and results in unsafe conditions due to differential vehicle speeds and
the creation of overtaking manoeuvres.
v. Setting speed limits consistent with road characteristics and surrounding
environments encourages compliance and improves traffic operations.
Section 5— Hidden Driveway Signage
5.1 Hidden Driveway Signage requests will be assessed by the Road Operations
Supervisor.
5.2 Where the Road Operations Supervisor determines a Hidden Driveway Sign may
be applicable the Hidden Driveway Sign shall be installed by the Public Works
Department at the expense of the applicant.
5.3 Future maintenance and/or replacement of the subject Hidden Driveway Signage
will be the responsibility and expense of the Municipality of Bayham.