Basic Winnipeg Signing and Amber Light Issues - Enforcement Only Presentation

8/2/2019 Basic Winnipeg Signing and Amber Light Issues - Enforcement Only Presentation

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City of Winnipeg Road Signing and

Amber Light Issues

By: Chris Sweryda


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National Signing Standards

Winnipeg has claimed numeroustimes that signs are installedthrough the guidance of the Manualof Uniform Traffic Control Devices(MUTCD)

Signs are installed per the guidelines of theManual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices ofCanada (MUTCD)


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Municipal Signing Standards

In addition to national(MUTCD) standards, Winnipeg

has internal policies known asTechnical Standards andPractices

Warning and regulatory signs shouldbe installed as close as possible to theedge of the roadway, and not morethan 3 metres back from curb face.


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ContentsPart A Basic Signing Issues

A1 Turn Control A2 Lane ControlA3 Truck Routes A4 Merging

A5 One-Way Streets

Part B Speeding

B1 Sign Placement B2 Dual Mounting (Signing)

B3 Sign Size B4 Reflectivity

B5 Speed Reductions B6 Proper MaintenanceB7 Unless Otherwise Posted

Part C Pedestrian Signing

C1Pedestrian Crossings C2 School and Playgrounds

Part D - Enforcement

D1 Where is Photo Radar? D2 Where are the Speed Signs?

D3 Intersection Cameras D4 Photo Enforcement Signs

Part E - Amber Lights

E1 The Dilemma Zone E2 Proper Timing

Part F Courts and the Highway Traffic Act

Part G - Closing


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A1 - Turn Control

Prohibitive Vs. MandatoryControls all lanes on the roadway

Prohibitive (red) signsinform a motorist of a

movement that is not legal

and allows for any other

movements.

+ =

+ =

+ =Mandatory (green) signs are

used when only one movement

is permissible.


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Sign Quantity

Every intersection with turn control signs has anywhere from

one to four signs. Four signs is excessive and one is undersigned. Police always enforce the locations that are undersigned.


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Enforcement

The part-time no left turn at the intersection ofEmpress NB and SB at Ellice is enforced daily bypolice. Unlike other intersections, the near side andadvance signs are absent.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/85864595/Empress-No-Left-Turn-Letterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/85864595/Empress-No-Left-Turn-Letter


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Non-Enforcement

The intersection of Ellice westbound at Berry uses a near sideno left turn sign (left) and has an advance warning sign (right).This location is almost never if at all enforced by police.


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Conflicts with Other Signs

On McPhillips, using the straight mandatory signs to restrict leftmovements has also unintentionally restricted right turns.Drivers in the right lane are forced to disobey either the lanecontrol or the turn control sign. A prohibitive no left turn signshould have been here instead.


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Lane Control - Enforcement

The mandatory turn for the right lane on McPhillips SB atInkster is heavily enforced by police. This location only gives25 m of advance warning for the upcoming lane drop which isjust over 1 second for traffic traveling at the speed limit.


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Non-Enforcement Locations

Other unenforced lane drops give drivers up to 800 m ofadvance warning. The normal is usually around 100-150 m.


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Speeding is one of the highest contributing

causes of collisions in Manitoba.

An overall reduction in driving speed CAN

and WILL make a difference - WPS.

Higher speeds increase stopping distance,

increases accident severity and reduces

control - MPIC

Part B Speeding


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How to Control Speeding

The most important part of preventing speeding is to

properly post speed limits. Unfortunately, Winnipeg

has numerous issues with signing related to:

1 Sign Placement2 Dual Mounting (Signing)

3 Sign Size

4 Night-time Reflectivity

5 Speed Reductions

6 Proper Maintenance


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B1 - Sign Placement

Placement of signs is essential to ensuring that a driverwill observe and obey them. To ensure uniformity and

that signs are within the drivers cone of vision, the

MUTCD has outlined standards shown below.


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Horizontal Placement

Speed signs are very often found much farther off

the road than permitted by both the MUTCD and

Winnipegs internal policies.


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Vertical Placement

Signs at extreme heights will not fallwithin a drivers line of sight. The

above are both speed reduction signs

and not compliant with standards.


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B2 - Dual Mounting

The MUTCD states, There are cases where it is advisable to

place a second sign on the left side of the road to supplement

the primary sign. This practice consists of placing a second

sign on the median of a divided or the left side of a one-waystreet.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/90937629/Effects-of-Large-Vehicleshttp://www.scribd.com/doc/90937629/Effects-of-Large-Vehicles


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Why Dual Sign?

This diagram shows a large truck in the curb lane blocking

vehicles in the median lane from seeing a sign on the right.This problem worsens as the lane count gets higher.

Measurement Sources: Sightlines - MUTCD, Roadway - MIT

(Highways Dept), Truck - Penner Trucking


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More Lanes = Less Visibility

Even without interference from other vehicles, more

lanes will increase the distance from a right side sign to

a driver in a median lane.

40 Cone of

Vision-MUTCD


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Across Canada

All major western Canadian cities (except Winnipeg) do have

at least some dual signed speed signs. This includes Calgary

(above-right), Edmonton, Regina, Victoria, VancouverSaskatoon (above-left). US traffic authorities will also dual sign

speed limits. Dual signing is most common at speed changes,

but most cities will do it on all large divided roads.


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Now You See It


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Now You Dont


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Multiple Lanes

Not one speed reduction in the city is dual signed including

NB Main at Assiniboine (above) which has four lanes ofthrough traffic. This is before the most profitable speedcamera at Logan. Winnipeg has 58 speed reductions ondivided roads where dual signing should be done.


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Other Signs in Winnipeg

For almost all other signs, dual mounting can befound for as few as one-lane of traffic (left) and mostoften for two.


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Within Manitoba

Outside of Winnipeg, MIT dual signs speedreductions.


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B4 - Reflectivity

Some speed signs in Winnipeg have little to no reflectivitywhile other signs, often on the same pole, are fully reflective.The first two of the above examples were before photo radarlocations that are utilized for night time enforcement.


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Speed Signs With Other Signs

Speed signs should be as equally important asother signs. On many roads, every other sign isreflective except the speed sign. This includesthe route markers which serve a very little safetyadvantage.


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Provincial Signs

All signs outside of Winnipeg are fully

compliant with reflectivity standards.


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B5 - Speed Reductions

Sixty-nine out of ninety-eight speed reductions in Winnipeg

fail to comply with national signing standards. Every speedreduction signed by the province was within MUTCDcompliance. The above sign is minimum sized, too high, toofar off the road and as always, not dual signed.


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Brookside Example

The speed reduction sign on Brookside Blvd was reported missing to thecity in June 2011. Despite repeated attempts to notify the city, the signsremained missing. The problem was fixed in October when the provincefinally installed the signs.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/72093314/Battle-at-Brooksidehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/72093314/Battle-at-Brookside


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B6 Proper Maintenance

Over time, untrimmed trees willgrow to the point that signs are fullycovered. Many signs will be left tolean on a 45+ degree angle for yearsbefore falling over and laying in theditch for months before beingeventually stolen.


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More Disrepair

This speed sign on Ravenhurst was observed in Jan with a broken mountingstrap which caused it to turn away from traffic. By mid summer it was stillfacing away from the road and had fallen upside down. Calls to the city inJan, Jun and Aug finally saw this fixed in Sept.


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B7 Unless Otherwise Posted

The City of Winnipeg claims:

Following this claim, 50 km/h signs must not

be selectively used anywhere but at speedreductions.


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Selective Signing

Winnipeg has 122 selective 50 km/h speed postings that arenot at speed reductions. Selective signing is found in all othermajor cities across Canada. The problem is that Winnipegrarely uses these signs on major roadways or at problemspeed areas where enforcement is continuous.


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Priority Given To Truck Routes

Since no road is a truck route unless signed as such (positivemarking), Not A Truck Route signs are not consideredneeded just like selective Maximum 50 km/h signs. Winnipeghas 334 selective Not A Truck Route signs but only 122Maximum 50 km/h signs. If a road is large enough that it maybe mistaken as a truck route, it is large enough to have the

speed limit signed.


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Posting Higher Speeds

Unlike Winnipegs claim posting a speed limit would not erodethe law, but what does, is not properly signing higher speeds.This makes unsigned 50 km/h zones less distinguishable frompoorly signed 60 km/h or higher zones. In higher speed zones, aspeed sign should always be found after a route marker (above-right), but in many cases is not signed (above-left)


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Other Cities

Every other major Canadian city uses selective 50 km/h

signing to control speeding on major roadways. MIT andother communities in Manitoba do the same. Some citiessuch as Saskatoon (above) even dual sign selective 50 km/hpostings on divided roads.


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But In Winnipeg

Hespeler Ave is a 50 km/h majorroadway, truck route and numberedcity route. It runs betweenHenderson and Main which areboth 60 km/h zones and has the14th highest producing speed

camera and daily photo radar. Arequest was made to haveMaximum 50 km/h signs added andreferenced Springfield and McLeodwhich already have signs; but no

enforcement. Even though the cityclaims to be begging people to justslow down, the citys response wasto remove the signs from Springfieldand McLeod.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3-OyaqJE48http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3-OyaqJE48http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3-OyaqJE48http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3-OyaqJE48http://www.scribd.com/doc/115183183/Springfield-Speed-Limit-Sign-Removalhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/115183183/Springfield-Speed-Limit-Sign-Removalhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/115183183/Springfield-Speed-Limit-Sign-Removalhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/115183183/Springfield-Speed-Limit-Sign-Removalhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/115183183/Springfield-Speed-Limit-Sign-Removalhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/115183183/Springfield-Speed-Limit-Sign-Removalhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/115183183/Springfield-Speed-Limit-Sign-Removalhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3-OyaqJE48http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3-OyaqJE48


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Speed Limit Confusion

Some 50 km/h zones look so much like 60 km/hzones that even the citys own sign crews getconfused. The sign above is on a 50 km/h road.


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Part C - Pedestrians

The above photo enforcement unit has parked in a no

stopping zone blocking the line of sight to a crosswalk.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Study


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C2 School and Playground Zones

Dual Signing

Many school and playground zone signs are not dualsigned. The left picture is from a major arterial road

that has daily photo enforcement. The picture on

the right is a residential street with no enforcement.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Study


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Many Signs are Missing While

Enforcement Continues

The median sign on Henderson Hwy has beenmissing for over two years despite repeated attempts

to have the sign fixed. The speed sign is also missingat this location and has seen greatly increasedenforcement after the signs went missing.


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Winnipeg School Zone Sign Presence

Many (166) of Winnipegs school zone signs are missing andhave been for >3 years. Traffic on Concordia WB has no signadvising of the upcoming school zone at London Street.

School
http://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/84993242/Winnipeg-s-Worst-School-Zonehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/84993242/Winnipeg-s-Worst-School-Zonehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/84993242/Winnipeg-s-Worst-School-Zonehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/84993242/Winnipeg-s-Worst-School-Zonehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Study


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When Signs Are Present, Obstructions Are Common
http://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Study


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Even On Major Roads Such As Main Street


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The Situation Is Only Getting Worse

In 2009, there were 178 missing school zone signs. In2012, that number had increased to 206. Other signsare being replaced but school zone signs areneglected.


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Redundant Signs

Some (32) school zone signs are found on roads that donot have schools. This creates an unnecessary

expectation of a school and creates disrespect for thesesigns. Above-Furby NB at Westminster has a schoolzone sign even though there is no school on Furby. Sixof these areas are being used for illegal photo radarenforcement.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Study


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Winnipeg School Zone Sign Placement

School zone signs are found at random distances from theschools. In 50 km/h zones, this distance ranges from -75 to323 m.

School School Not In Picture


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Cross-Street Interference

Many school and playground zone signs are posted before a

major intersection with the zone being after the intersection.Drivers entering the road from the intersection have no wayof knowing they are approaching a school or playground.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Study


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School Zone Sign Size

School zone signs in 60 km/h zones are required to be

75x75cm, but many locations use the undersized60x60cm signs. The zone above has an undersized signon the median and is missing the sign on the right.


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Speed Signing School Zones

Many school & playground zones and crosswalks arelocated on major roadways with no speed signing orafter improperly signed speed reductions.

School Zone Improper SpeedReduction
http://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Study


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School Speed Reduction

Many cities do not have speed reductions in

school zones. There is no evidence that a

lower speed creates safety. School zone speed

reductions create a false sense of security andincrease speed differentials-City of Edmonton.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Studyhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/90081857/Edmonton-School-Zones-2005http://www.scribd.com/doc/90081857/Edmonton-School-Zones-2005http://www.scribd.com/doc/90081857/Edmonton-School-Zones-2005http://www.scribd.com/doc/90081857/Edmonton-School-Zones-2005http://www.scribd.com/doc/90081857/Edmonton-School-Zones-2005http://www.scribd.com/doc/90081857/Edmonton-School-Zones-2005http://www.scribd.com/doc/90081857/Edmonton-School-Zones-2005http://www.scribd.com/doc/90081857/Edmonton-School-Zones-2005http://www.scribd.com/doc/98484759/Winnipeg-School-Area-Signing-Study


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Quebec School Zone Speed

Montreal doesnt have a universal reduced

speed in school zones, but they do mark thespeeds entering school zones.


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Montreal Speed Signs

Speed limit signing is very common; especially

in areas with high pedestrian traffic.


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Part D Photo Enforcement


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D1 - Where is Photo Radar?Under provincial regulation, photo enforcement is

only allowed in school, playground and construction zones.Within those restrictions, the city is free to choose wherephoto radar is deployed.

-86% of photo radar occurs in 50 km/h zones

-67% of photo radar on arterial roads is in the 40% that has aspeed of 50 km/h.

Photo radar is usually deployed on major roadways that lack50 km/h signing and often in the vicinity of higher speeds.

Hotspots are:Arlington, Corydon, Des Meuron, Hespeler, McGregor,Mountain, Osborne, Selkirk, Talbot, William

All of these are truck routes, arterial, unsigned and connect tohigher speed roads.


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Sign Placement Variance

School and playground signs are found as close as -75 mand as far as 323 m from the school. Photo radarobviously prefers the extreme zones which put theenforcement well away from the actual zone.


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Lack of Secondary Signs

Cross streets that approach schools and playgroundare required to be signed. Many photo radarlocations lack these signs despite the HighwayTraffic Act requiring signs on all directions entering azone. Missing signs are a problem at 40% of photoenforced school zones.


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D2 - Where are the Speed Signs?

The City claims that they cannot post speeds in 50 km/h zonesand the examples given were all before enforcement. Only 7

out of 122 selective signs in 50 km/h zones are before photoradar. By avoiding placement of speed signs before photoradar, the city is actually avoiding speed signing beforeschools and playgrounds.


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Bishop Grandin Example

There are 6 exits off of Bishop Grandin that have a speed of 50km/h. Only 3 out of 6 are signed and the 3 that are not signedare photo radar enforced. Since photo radar is only in schooland playground zones, roads with these zone are the onesthat are left unsigned.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/pilot-project-new-signs-to-tell-drivers-their-speed-96454289.html


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Speed Signs Do Work

There is only one school zone in Winnipeg that has a pair ofspeed signs dual signed. It is the only zone on Grant notphoto enforced and is used in the press for stories regardingschool zone safety. The mayor himself held a conferencethere regarding school safety.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/pilot-project-new-signs-to-tell-drivers-their-speed-96454289.htmlhttp://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/pilot-project-new-signs-to-tell-drivers-their-speed-96454289.html


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D3 Intersection CamerasIntersection cameras are

as strategically placed asphoto radar to avoidspeed limit postings.Fifteen out of 18cameras in 50 km/hzones have no speedsigns preceding them.The camera onProvencher (left) isplaced a half blockbefore the only speedlimit sign.


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Top Producers

The top of the cross-bar is at the 3m maximum height allowed in theMUTCD. In many cases, speed reduction 50 km/h signs are posted toohigh while the 60 km/h signs immediately before the reductions are atperfect height. First example is the reduction at Main NB at Assiniboine(before highest producing speed camera) and second is at Grant/Stafford(before 2nd highest producing speed camera).


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Newly Missing Signs

Many speed signs go missing for extended periods of timewhile ticketing continues. The speed reduction sign on Grant(above) has been missing since July 12, 2012 before one ofthe citys top producing cameras.


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2010 Statistics

Cameras in 50 km/h zones produced 1309tickets per camera

Cameras in 60 km/h+ zones produced 625

tickets per cameraTo properly sign the speed reduction, beforethe camera at Grant & Wilton with dual signsand a confirmation sign, would cost about$300 or 0.00032% of 2010 speeding ticketrevenue from that location.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/78215871/Grant-Speed-Reduction-Letterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/78215871/Grant-Speed-Reduction-Letterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/78215871/Grant-Speed-Reduction-Letterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/78215871/Grant-Speed-Reduction-Letterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/78215871/Grant-Speed-Reduction-Letterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/78215871/Grant-Speed-Reduction-Letterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/78215871/Grant-Speed-Reduction-Letterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/78215871/Grant-Speed-Reduction-Letterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/78215871/Grant-Speed-Reduction-Letterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/78215871/Grant-Speed-Reduction-Letter


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D4 Photo Enforcement Warning Signs

At the start of the photo enforcementprogram in 2002, the province created

the Conditions of Authority which

Winnipeg had to follow in order to run

photo enforcement. In the conditions,Winnipeg had to install permanent

warning signs on the approaches to

intersections enforced by cameras.


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Dual Mounting

To warn traffic in median lanes, all divided

approaches to photo enforced intersections had asign placed on the right and left side. This is

especially useful because faster traffic is usually in the

median laneSlower Traffic Keep Right.


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Signs of Safety

In 2005, Winnipeg Police launched a PR campaign forthe cameras. The focus was on the camera warningsigning acting as a deterrent and referred to thesesigns as Signs of Safety.
http://winnipeg.ca/police/safestreets/educational_campaigns/index.stm


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Recess on Speeding

Radio adds featured a school principal , construction

worker , paramedic and a new driver who all talked

about the success off the signs of safety. It was stated thatcitywide, areas where these signs were installed saw a

66% drop in speeding.
http://winnipeg.ca/police/safestreets/educational_campaigns/index.stmhttp://winnipeg.ca/police/safestreets/educational_campaigns/index.stmhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/73885742/Removal-of-Camera-Warning-Signs-on-Medians


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Median Sign Removal

One would think the successful results of photoenforcement signing would be good news. Eventhough these signs were permanent, in the

summer of 2009 during e-mail exchanges betweenPublic Works and Winnipeg Police, it was concludedthat the camera warning signs on medians would beremoved as a sign clean-up effort. This project wasconducted immediately and only involved photoenforcement warning signs. A total of 78 out the 87median signs were removed throughout the city. Ofthe original total of 257 signs, 179 remained (30% ofthe signs were removed).
http://www.scribd.com/doc/73885742/Removal-of-Camera-Warning-Signs-on-Medianshttp://www.scribd.com/doc/73885742/Removal-of-Camera-Warning-Signs-on-Medians


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Kenaston at CorydonThe intersection of Kenaston and Corydon where photo

enforcement warning signs were claimed to have reducedspeeding by 84% was included in the sign removal project. Ofthe 8 signs at that intersection, 4 ( of the signs) wereremoved.

Before and after views of Corydon EB approaching Kenaston.


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EffectsCamera Statistics from 2008 were compared to 2010. In many

cases, ticket counts increased greatly after the median signs wereremoved. At the 8 locations with 3 or more lanes, tickets increasedon average by 17%. On average, all other locations including thosethat didnt have any signs removed saw a ticket decrease of 16%.

Portage EB at Cavalier has thehighest lane count of alllocations where these signswere removed. It shouldtherefore be the area mosteffected by median sign

removal. In 2010, over 2,000tickets were issued which wasmore than twice the amountissued in 2008.
http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/city-erects-photo-radar-signs-hours-after-pickets-from-angry-citizens-demand-ticket-refunds-1.996432http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/city-erects-photo-radar-signs-hours-after-pickets-from-angry-citizens-demand-ticket-refunds-1.996432


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No Signs

With no median signs present, there is no fail safe for when asign goes missing. The sign on Henderson Hwy approachingGilmore was missing through all of 2012, while illegal ticketingoccurred. It wasnt replaced until October 2012 mediacoverage. No refunds are being issued.
http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/city-erects-photo-radar-signs-hours-after-pickets-from-angry-citizens-demand-ticket-refunds-1.996432http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/city-erects-photo-radar-signs-hours-after-pickets-from-angry-citizens-demand-ticket-refunds-1.996432


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Part E Amber Light Timing

Red light offences accounted for 20% of intersection

camera tickets in 2010. Much of these violations arebased on the amber timing at the intersection. Quote:Adjusting Amber Lights..Would Ruin the PhotoEnforcement Program -Traffic Sgt. John Butcher, WPS,

Oct. 30, 2001 Winnipeg Free Press


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E1 The Dilemma Zone

A yellow light should be timed for a motorist to either come

to a safe and complete stop or proceed clear through an

intersection before the red light is displayed. Impropertiming creates the dilemma zone. This is the zone where

drivers are unable to come to a stop or clear the intersection

before the red light.


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How are Ambers Timed?

Proper calculation of an amber time is usually based

on three variables: Intersection width, speed limitand grade. Improperly timed ambers create

accidents and red light violations.


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E2 Proper Timing

Proper amber times are calculated byengineering formula. Below is the formula

used by the city of Calgary.


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Higher Speed = More Time

It is a proven engineering fact that timingmust be based on intersection design and

speed. Higher speeds must have more time.

Winnipeg is using a universal 4.0 secondamber which is inadequate for many higher

speeds (80 zones).

d


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Across Canada

The table to the right shows ambertimes used in 80 km/h zones by major

cities across Canada. Winnipeg does

appear alone in using a 4.0 second

amber in all speed zones.

The proof is in the ticket counts. In 2010, Winnipeg cameras in 50-70

km/h zones issued 164 tickets/camera while cameras in 80 zonesproduced 979 tickets/camera. Unless Winnipegs red light runners stick

to driving in 80 km/h zones, the problem is the timing and not the drivers.

Winnipegs most dangerous intersections are almost all in 80 km/h zones

and are likely influenced by amber timing.

ff f i i


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Effects of Proper Timing

It has been proven that 80% of red light violations occurduring the first 1 second of the amber light and will disappearwhen the amber is timed properly. Winnipeg will not release

their data to check this statistic locally. Statistics above showthe decreases in violations at sites where ambers had onesecond added to comply with formula.
http://wiseupwinnipeg.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/DickArmeyReport.pdfhttp://wiseupwinnipeg.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/DickArmeyReport.pdfhttp://wiseupwinnipeg.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/DickArmeyReport.pdfhttp://wiseupwinnipeg.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/DickArmeyReport.pdfhttp://wiseupwinnipeg.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/DickArmeyReport.pdfhttp://wiseupwinnipeg.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/DickArmeyReport.pdf


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Part F - Courts and the Highway Traffic Act

What do all eight of the above speed limit

reduction signs have in common?

Answer


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AnswerAll of the signs are legally placed according to the HighwayTraffic Act even though they are non-compliant with MUTCD

standards. These types of installations are all found inWinnipeg and enforcement has held up in Manitoba courts.

1 Signs are not required to be on the right side of the road.

2 Installation can be at any maximum height above the road.

3 Signs do not have to be reflective.4 There is no minimum height requirement.

5 Installation can be any distance off the road with no maximums.

6 Trees and other obstructions are allowed.

7 Signs do not have to be straight and can even be upside down.

8 Because speeding is an absolute liability offence, you are guilty even if asign is not present.

Hi h T ffi A R i


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Highway Traffic Act Requirements

1 Signs must face traffic

2 Signs must be of standard design

3 Signs must be of standard dimensions.

As long as the above three requirements are

met, signs are legal. If the sign isnt legal, the

driver is still guilty because speeding is an

absolute liability offence.

HTA A b Ti i


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HTA on Amber Timing

Some amber lights in Winnipeg are below therequired 4.0 seconds. Ticketing occurs at 0.1 secondinto the red, so some tickets are issued after a 3.9 or3.8 second amber (indicated on tickets). Thesetickets were challenged in court on the basis that ifthe signal was properly timed, the vehicle wouldhave entered at the end of the amber and not duringthe first 0.1 second of the red. The courts have ruledthat the HTA does not require an amber time at all,

and even if the light goes straight from green to red,you are still guilty if you enter the intersection.

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Law Reform

In Ontario, the Highway Traffic Act does specify specific

standards for speed limit sign placement (Reg 660). The

Law Reform Commission of Manitoba was approached in

the summer of 2011 in an attempt to see a similar

regulation passed in Manitoba. The final conclusion has

been that the commission is not currently interested in

making those kinds of changes in Manitoba.

Part G - Closing:


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g

Going forward, there is no evidence that signing will be improvedanytime soon. New signs are still being incorrectly placed. The

above sign first said south on the NB direction. After acomplaint was made, it was changed to north upside down.Another complaint got the issue finally fixed.

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Incorrect Signs are Dangerous

This sign on Pembina Hwy is pointing traffic intooncoming lanes.

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Temporary Signing

This sign hasbeen upsidedown onPembina Hwy

for over a week.Many locationswith laneclosures donteven have a signat all.

Ph t E f t Sh t i


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Photo Enforcement Shortcomings

Does not identity or take points from repeat offenders. Doesnt enforce other violations such as DUI or stolen

vehicles.

Doesnt stop offending vehicles.

Many offenders dont receive their tickets because they went

to the registered owner. Habitual speeders simply avoid photo enforcement locations.

Punishment (receiving ticket) isnt immediate when the crimeis happening.

Money goes to a private for profit company from outside thecountry.

Does not ticket out of province or obscured plates.

And

Ob t t T ffi Fl


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Obstructs Traffic Flow

At many locations that have parking restrictions during rush hour, photo

radar will set-up immediately after the restriction ends in order to ticketthe still very busy rush hour traffic. Often for to an hour, photo radarwill be the only vehicle blocking a lane of a still busy road. This funnellingeffect will get higher speeds due to people rushing to cut in or get past toallow traffic to flow.

Final Points


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Final Points

There is no reason why Winnipeg should see the need to dual signsome signs and not speed signs.

The use of other signs on the median (such as school zones) willgive drivers a false sense of security that if something as importantas a speed reduction should come, it too will be signed on the

median. Selective 50 km/h signs are needed on arterial and divided roads.

Signs need to be properly installed.

Amber times need to be properly timed for individual intersections.

Standards need to be developed and followed for school andplayground signing.

Missing school and playground signs need to be installed inaccordance with standards.

Basic Winnipeg Signing and Amber Light Issues - Enforcement Only Presentation

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Transcript of Basic Winnipeg Signing and Amber Light Issues - Enforcement Only Presentation