Traffic Control Regulations in Ontario are governed by several acts, regulations, and manuals that are key to ensuring that traffic control measures in Ontario are standardized, effective, and promote road safety. These are the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), regulations within that act, select books from the Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM), and the Ontario Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
This article will provide a summary of these acts, regulations, and Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) books, explaining their relevance to traffic control.
Relevant Acts to Traffic Control Regulations in Ontario
Highway Traffic Act (HTA)
The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) is foundational to traffic control regulations in Ontario. It provides the Legal Framework for Road Safety in Ontario, setting clear regulations for the behavior of drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users. It ensures that traffic control measures, such as signs, signals, and lane markings, are followed to prevent accidents and maintain orderly flow on roads.
Furthermore, it empowers authorities to establish and enforce traffic control devices, including temporary traffic control signage, and defines the roles of Traffic Control Persons (also called TCPs or flaggers). It provides the legal framework for the training, certification, and duties of flaggers to ensure safe and efficient traffic management.
The following regulation and sections of the HTA are of particular importance to traffic control regulations in Ontario.
Regulation 184/94: Construction and Maintenance Zones
This regulation establishes the requirements for managing traffic in construction and maintenance zones on Ontario’s roadways. It outlines the necessary traffic control measures, including the installation of signs, barriers, cones, and other devices to safely direct vehicles and pedestrians around roadwork areas.
The regulation specifies how traffic control devices should be placed, maintained, and removed, ensuring that the work zones are clearly marked and safe for both workers and road users. It also provides guidelines for the safe flow of traffic through these zones, minimizing disruption while maintaining public safety.
Relevant Sections of the HTA to Traffic Control Regulations in Ontario
The following sections of the HTA are relevant to traffic control regulations in Ontario:
- Section 128 – Lane Restrictions for Construction, Maintenance, and Emergency Operations: This section provides rules on the restriction of lanes for work zones, where flaggers are often deployed to manage traffic flow around construction areas, ensuring the safe passage of vehicles and workers. It details how temporary traffic control devices must be used and the responsibilities of traffic control personnel in these situations.
- Section 144 – Duties of Traffic Control Persons (Flaggers): This section specifically addresses the duties and responsibilities of flaggers. It outlines how flaggers must direct traffic using appropriate hand signals or traffic control devices to maintain safety in construction zones or areas with altered traffic patterns. This section emphasizes the need for flaggers to follow the prescribed methods for controlling traffic in accordance with the law.
- Section 128 – Signs for Temporary Conditions: Under this section, flaggers are required to ensure that proper signage is in place for temporary conditions like roadwork or detours, as specified in the Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) – Book 7: Temporary Conditions. This regulation governs how traffic control devices and signs must be set up in construction zones to ensure that drivers are aware of lane closures, detours, and other changes.
Occupational Health and Safety Act
In addition to the HTA, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) is key to traffic control regulations in Ontario because it mandates that employers provide a safe working environment for all employees, including those working in or around construction zones.
For traffic control personnel, this means they must be properly trained and equipped to manage traffic safely, following the guidelines in Book 7 of the Ontario Traffic Manual. The OHSA ensures that traffic control practices are not only compliant with road safety laws but also protect workers from potential hazards in temporary traffic condition
Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM)
The Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) consists of multiple books, each dedicated to a specific aspect of traffic control and road safety in Ontario. As of now, the OTM includes 13 books. It is updated periodically by the Ontario Traffic Council (OTC), which is responsible for maintaining and revising the manual.
The OTC works in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) when updating the manual. So while the MTO does not write the books themselves, it is usually what people are referring to when they are looking for requirements for book traffic control or the MTO requirements for book traffic.
Of these, OTM Book 7: Temporary Conditions is the most critical as it is required training under OHSA for traffic control personnel. OTM Book 5: Regulatory Signs, and OTM Book 12: Traffic Signals are also relevant with regards to traffic control regulations in Ontario.
Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) – Book 7: Temporary Conditions
The most relevant book with regards to traffic control regulations in Ontario is OTM Book 7: Temporary Conditions. This book provides comprehensive guidelines for managing traffic in temporary or altered road conditions, such as construction zones, maintenance work, and detours. It outlines the necessary traffic control measures, including the proper placement of signs, barricades, and other devices to ensure the safety of workers, drivers, and pedestrians.
The manual also covers the design and implementation of traffic control plans for various temporary situations, with a focus on minimizing disruptions while maintaining road safety. Book 7 is crucial for ensuring that temporary traffic conditions are clearly communicated and effectively managed to reduce accidents and traffic congestion.
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