Item - 2020.IE13.8

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to develop an action plan to accelerate the implementation of new traffic control devices including new traffic signals, mid-block pedestrian signals, pedestrian crossovers, and flashing beacons from 18 months down to 8 months or less from the time that they are approved by Council.

Over the past couple of years there appears to be a significant backlog and slow-down with respect to the time that it takes for a new traffic signal to be implemented. For years, the turnaround time was 12months which given that we are now a Vision Zero City is in itself less than desirable. However, over the past couple of years in particular this has increased from 12 months to 18 months and in some extreme cases even longer.

Beginning in January 2017, the City implemented Certificate of Recognition (COR) health and safety certification requirements for contracts worth less than $10M. In early January 2017, only one electrical contractor had that certification. In parallel, through Vision Zero, the City literally doubled the amount of signals built per year from about 20-30 new signals to roughly 70 signals per year in 2018 and 2019. This combination of factors has led to the significant backlog and turnaround time for new traffic signals.

Something needs to be done in order to accelerate the implementation of new traffic signals within the City to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable road users – pedestrians and cyclists and particularly seniors and school children.