Engineering Services . .

Clarington Traffic Management Advisory Committee (CTMAC)

Working Closely with the Municipality of Clarington, the Durham
Regional Police & Road WatchTo Improve Road Safety for all Residents

WHO ARE WE?

It was almost five years ago that Clarington Council approved the formation of the Clarington Traffic Management Advisory Committee in response to growing traffic related concerns in the Municipality.

This Committee is made up of a group of volunteer residents (two from each ward) who are concerned about traffic speed, volume and/or flow in their individual communities and the Municipality as a whole.

Committee members are appointed by Council for a three-year period to work with representatives of the Clarington Engineering Department, Durham Regional Police and Road Watch.

This Committee meets monthly to study and prepare recommendations to address traffic concerns/issues referred to it by Council and/or staff. If you are interested in serving on this committee at a future date you may receive an application from by calling the Clerk’s Department at (905) 623-3379.

NOTE: The Clarington Traffic Management Advisory Committee has no authority or mandate for review of traffic concerns that exist within the Municipality on roads that are designated as REGIONAL or PROVINCIAL.

 WHAT IS OUR MANDATE?

1. To be familiar with current available information about traffic calming.

2. To consider impacts on the Municipality, including but not limited to, liability, staff time, cost, implementation, maintenance, scheduling, potential neighbourhood conflicts, etc.

3. To develop a policy to review traffic calming for three situations:
  • Updating of existing streets
  • Implemented in conjunction with road reconstruction/resurfacing.
  • Implemented with Municipal Land Use and Transportation Plan.
4. Ensure area wide alternatives are considered, before considering localized traffic calming projects. 5. Prepare an overview of existing traffic management practices with a comprehensive traffic calming policy for Council’s consideration. 6. Review requests for traffic calming from the public. 7. Consider a proactive approach to traffic management on an area wide basis and implementation of traffic calming measures in the planning process of new development if justified. WHAT DO WE DO?
a) Receive complaints through Council or staff.

b) Visit the site(s) and meet with local residents.

c) Review information on volume, speed, planning data, etc.

d) Identify and evaluate possible alternatives and recommendations.

e) Develop recommendations and vote on preferred solution.

f) Present recommendations to Council through the Engineering Services Department.

g) Monitor implemented solutions and provide feedback to staff and Council.
This Process Shall Have Regard for the Following Criteria:
  • Public consultation
  • Funding sources
  • Feasibility of implementation
  • Road operations and maintenance
  • Aesthetic impact on surrounding area
  • Local and Regional Official Plans
  • Municipal by-laws
  • Site specific and area-wide traffic impact
  • Human factors and principles of positive guidance (driver expectation)
  • Uniform application of accepted traffic engineering practice
IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A TRAFFIC PROBLEM
  1. What is the problem/concern?
    • Excessive speed?
    • Excessive traffic volume?
    • Inefficient traffic flow?

  2. How long has it been going on?


  3. Is this problem an annoyance or is it a danger to residents?

  4. Discuss your concerns with your neighbours. If there is agreement that a problem exists, define the type and scope of the problem.

  5. A radar message board is available on loan to the public. For more information contact the Clarington Engineering Services Department Traffic Co-Ordinator at (905) 623-3379, Ext. 403.

  6. Use this radar message board to conduct a traffic survey in your area of concern to validate and document your findings on the forms provided.

  7. Collect and document as much additional information/detail as possible about your concern.

  8. Present your case documentation to your area Councillor with a request for the Clarington Traffic Management Advisory Committee to review the situation.
POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN EVALUATING YOUR PROBLEM
  1. The population of Clarington has grown rapidly over the last few years, resulting in substantial increases in new homes and vehicles. Is the concern you have identified simply increased volume from this growth?

  2. Is the traffic problem caused by local residents or through traffic?

  3. Is the traffic problem caused by insufficient/inadequate signage?

  4. Is your concern based on the actions of a small minority of drivers, or are all/most drivers responsible?

  5. Consider what solution(s) may be most effective for your situation.
NOTE: There is a variety of traffic calming methods available, including but not limited to:
    • Hamlet gating treatment at speed reduction points.
    • Transverse pavement markings
    • Rumble strips (grooves cut in pavement) on approaches
    • Improved signage
    • Speed humps
    • Textured crosswalks
    • Raised crosswalks
    • Raised intersections
    • Traffic circles
    • Traffic lights
    • Stop signs (have limited effect on speeding)
For further traffic safety information please see the following:
www.clarington.net/res-road_watch.html
www.safety-council.org/info/traffic/trafcalm.htm
www.police.durham.on.ca/internet_explorer/index.asp

 If you require further information about the Committee or have a traffic concern you would like to discuss please contact:
Engineering Services Department at (905) 623-3379, Ext. 240

 

 

 

 

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