The Traffic Engineering Section is part of the Operations & Emergency Services Department, Municipal Property & Engineering Division. 

Details are outlined below.  To obtain more information on any of these items, please contact us at 905.420.4630 or by email.

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS

The purpose of traffic control signals are to safely alternate and allocate the right-of-way between conflicting traffic movements at an intersection in an orderly and timely manner through a recognizable electronic system of signal indications.

Currently, the City of Pickering has five (5) traffic control signals that it is responsible for. They are located at:

1) Dixie Road at Glenanna Road
2) Glenanna Road at The Esplanade South
3) Pickering Parkway at Canadian Tire / METC entrance
4) Fairport Road at Strouds Lane
5) Strouds Lane at Rosebank Road

All other signals are either Region of Durham or Ministry of Transportation.

Intersection Pedestrian Signals are also known as “half signals” where two approaches of an intersection have traffic control signals and the other have stop sign operation. The crosswalk is located across from one approach of the intersection and the pedestrian signal heads with push buttons are there for assistance.

Currently, the City of Pickering has three (3) Intersection Pedestrian Signals and one (1) Mid-block Signal that it is responsible for. The three (3) Intersection Pedestrian Signals are located at:

1) Oklahoma Drive at Eyer Drive
2) Liverpool Road at Tatra Drive
3) Glenanna Road at Fieldlight Boulevard

The one (1) Mid-block Pedestrian Signal is located on Glenanna Road in front of William Dunbar Public School, between Heathside Crescent and Brookshire Square.

STOP SIGNS

A stop sign is one of the most valuable and effective control devices when used at the right place and under the right conditions. It is intended to help drivers and pedestrians at an intersection decide who has the right-of-way.

One common misuse of stop signs is to arbitrarily interrupt through traffic, either by causing it to stop, or by causing such an inconvenience as to force the traffic to use other routes. Where stop signs are installed when unwarranted or as “speed devices”, there is a high incidence of intentional violation. In those locations where vehicles do not stop, the speed reduction is effective only in the immediate vicinity of the stop sign, and frequently speeds are actually higher between intersections. When confronted with unreasonable restrictions, motorists will frequently violate the conditions in place and generally develop contempt for all types of traffic control devices. This type of behaviour makes roadway crossings and traffic movements very unsafe.  For these reasons, it should not be used as a speed control device.

In general, stop signs should only be used where traffic engineering studies considering such factors as traffic speeds, traffic volumes, restricted sightlines, and collision experience indicate that the application of stop signs are warranted.

All-way stop signs may be considered or recommended for installation at rural or urban intersections where any of the following conditions exist:

1. At two roadways with similar volume demand and operating characteristics. The approaches should be directly opposing (i.e. not offsets) should preferably approach at right angles (i.e. no skewed approaches), and have an equal number of lanes.
2. As an interim measure where traffic control signals are warranted, but cannot be implemented immediately.
3. At locations having a high collision frequency where less restrictive measures have been tried and found inadequate. For the purposes of this warrant, a high collision frequency is an average of four (4) collisions per year for a three (3) year period. Only those collisions susceptible to relief through multi-way "stop" control will be considered (i.e. right angle and turning type collisions). Included in this warrant are those locations where visibility problems exist which limit the safe approach speed to less than 15 km/h, thereby creating an unreasonable collision potential.
4. As a means of providing an introductory period to accustom drivers to a reversal of intersection control. Installation under this warrant shall be in conformance with Section A2.11.04 of Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, All-way Stop Signs should not be used under the following conditions:

1. Where the protection of pedestrians, school children in particular, is a prime concern.
2. As a speed control device.
3. On roadways where progressive signal timing exists.
4. On roadways within urban areas having a posted speed limit in excess of 60 km/hr.
5. At intersection having less than three (3) or more than four (4) approaches.
6. At intersections that are offset, poorly defined, or geometrically sub-standard.
7. On truck or bus routes, except in an industrial area, or where two such routes cross.
8. On multi-lane approaches where a parked or stopped vehicle on the right will obscure the "Stop" sign.
9. Where traffic would be required to stop on grades.
10. As means of deterring the movement of through traffic in a residential area.
11. Where visibility of the sign is hampered by curves or grades, and insufficient safe stopping distances exists.
12. Where any other traffic device controlling right-of-way is permanently in place within 250 meters, with the exception of a yield sign.

TRAFFIC STUDIES

The Traffic Engineering Section is responsible for numerous traffic operational studies. These traffic and safety programs are designed to improve safety and efficiency of the roadway. These traffic studies deal with issues such as:

• Regulatory and warning signs,
• Traffic control device warrants for: Traffic Control Signals, Stop Signs, Intersection Pedestrian Signal warrants, and Pedestrian Crossovers,
• Traffic monitoring programs,
• Collision statistics,
• Speed Zone studies,
• Parking studies involving both on-street and off-street parking facilities,
• Traffic Calming Measure Pilot Projects,
• Design of Signs and Pavement Markings.

SCHOOL CROSSING

A School Crossing Protection is a form of a traffic control device where school pupils are supervised in order to facilitate a safe crossing of the roadway at a location other than a Traffic Control Signal, a Pedestrian Crossover, a Stop Sign, or a yield sign.

The Traffic Engineering Section performs required field studies to determine if a School Crossing Protection is warranted. The Ministry of Transportation has developed a province wide warrant and set of guidelines for municipalities to abide by. The purpose of this warrant system is to ensure safety of school children by providing a consistent level of protection based on established engineering principles.

SIGNS & PAVEMENT MARKINGS

The City of Pickering installs and maintains all traffic signs and pavement markings on city streets.

Traffic Engineering staff:

• Investigate concerns and complaints related to signs and pavement markings,
• Review and suggest placement of signs and pavement markings,
• Recommend By-law amendments for regulatory signs.

If a damaged or missing sign needs to be replaced, please contact us at 905.420.4630 or by email.