WMQS Project
The City is Updating its Winter Maintenance Quality Standards
The City’s Winter Maintenance Quality Standards (WMQS) are approved by Council and they define the “desirable level of maintenance and the executed outcome of each winter service by defining the timing and extent of each winter maintenance activity in the context of achieving the overall objective of safe and passable roads and sidewalks by reducing hazards caused by snow and ice accumulation.” Essentially, they provide guidance on when, and how, the City will address winter weather conditions (snow, ice, freezing rain) on roads, sidewalks, bicycle lanes and multi-use pathways to ensure that they are safe for drivers and pedestrians.
The WMQS were last updated in 2003 and much has changed since then – including the fact that transportation users have less tolerance for any obstructed mobility and many have moved away from single drivers in cars, to more group transportation and active transportation options (walking, biking etc).
“It’s important to know there will be no reduction in service as part of this Project,” said Chad Findlay, WMQS Review Project Lead. “We are suggesting either maintaining current standards or proposing options for increased service levels. And that’s why we want to hear from residents. We want to understand what their priorities are, if they are happy with current service levels and if they aren’t happy, we want to understand exactly what they’d like to see changed.”
Not all winter maintenance activities are being reviewed as part of this project – it’s very specific to the City’s active transportation network (sidewalks, cycling network, pathways and multi-use pathways), Class 5 roadways and Class 4 roadways without sidewalks. More information on the project can be found on Engage Ottawa ( https://engage.ottawa.ca/wmqs ).
The City has planned a number of engagement opportunities; an online survey will be launched in mid-January and four virtual workshops are planned: January 25 from 7-9pm; January 26 from 7-9pm; January 27 from 7-9pm and January 28 from 1-3pm. You can sign up to receive Project updates, or register for any of the virtual workshops, on the Engage Ottawa site.
You might be wondering what the current Standards are and how you are impacted based on where you live and where you go. Keep on reading to learn about how we prioritize.
First level
Our first step is to keep the City’s major roads clear. At the first sign of any accumulation, we respond to Highway 174 and the Transitway, and we keep responding until accumulation stops. This helps ensure the morning and afternoon commutes go as safely and efficiently as possible.
Second level – 2.5 centimetres
Once we determine that 2.5 centimetres of snow has fallen, we start work on high volume roads, such as the downtown core, busy sidewalks and the cycling network. These avenues typically have the highest volume of traffic. Keeping them clear helps ensure the morning and afternoon commutes go as safely and efficiently as possible.
Maintaining sidewalks and pathways is part of the City’s commitment to supporting viable active transportation options year-round. Only a portion of the cycling network is winter-maintained, though, and you can visit the Winter Cycling Network(External link) for details.
Our goal is to clear the downtown roads and cycling network within four hours of the last snowflake having fallen.
Third level – 5 centimetres
Once we determine that 5 centimetres of snow has fallen, we respond to Class 4 and Class 5 roads – the major and minor collector roads that link neighbourhoods. In the days before amalgamation, many of these were known as regional roads. Major collectors are roads like Carling Avenue, Carp Road and Innes Road. Minor collectors are roads like Sherway Drive, Duford Drive or Castlefrank Road.
We also begin clearing more sidewalks, roads with OC Transpo service and roads that lead to schools and long-term care homes. This helps families, students and emergency responders get where they need to go.
Our goal is to clear the roads within six hours of the last snowflake having fallen, and to clear sidewalks within 16 hours.
Fourth level – 7 centimetres or more
If 7 centimetres or more of snow has fallen, we expand service to include roads in areas that are primarily residential, where you or someone you know probably live. Roads in residential areas are typically the last roads we plow, after the first three levels have been addressed.
Our goal is to clear all these roads within 10 hours of the last snowflake having fallen.
Subscribe to our Project page for automatic alerts for engagement opportunities and future updates!
The City’s Winter Maintenance Quality Standards (WMQS) are approved by Council and they define the “desirable level of maintenance and the executed outcome of each winter service by defining the timing and extent of each winter maintenance activity in the context of achieving the overall objective of safe and passable roads and sidewalks by reducing hazards caused by snow and ice accumulation.” Essentially, they provide guidance on when, and how, the City will address winter weather conditions (snow, ice, freezing rain) on roads, sidewalks, bicycle lanes and multi-use pathways to ensure that they are safe for drivers and pedestrians.
The WMQS were last updated in 2003 and much has changed since then – including the fact that transportation users have less tolerance for any obstructed mobility and many have moved away from single drivers in cars, to more group transportation and active transportation options (walking, biking etc).
“It’s important to know there will be no reduction in service as part of this Project,” said Chad Findlay, WMQS Review Project Lead. “We are suggesting either maintaining current standards or proposing options for increased service levels. And that’s why we want to hear from residents. We want to understand what their priorities are, if they are happy with current service levels and if they aren’t happy, we want to understand exactly what they’d like to see changed.”
Not all winter maintenance activities are being reviewed as part of this project – it’s very specific to the City’s active transportation network (sidewalks, cycling network, pathways and multi-use pathways), Class 5 roadways and Class 4 roadways without sidewalks. More information on the project can be found on Engage Ottawa ( https://engage.ottawa.ca/wmqs ).
The City has planned a number of engagement opportunities; an online survey will be launched in mid-January and four virtual workshops are planned: January 25 from 7-9pm; January 26 from 7-9pm; January 27 from 7-9pm and January 28 from 1-3pm. You can sign up to receive Project updates, or register for any of the virtual workshops, on the Engage Ottawa site.
You might be wondering what the current Standards are and how you are impacted based on where you live and where you go. Keep on reading to learn about how we prioritize.
First level
Our first step is to keep the City’s major roads clear. At the first sign of any accumulation, we respond to Highway 174 and the Transitway, and we keep responding until accumulation stops. This helps ensure the morning and afternoon commutes go as safely and efficiently as possible.
Second level – 2.5 centimetres
Once we determine that 2.5 centimetres of snow has fallen, we start work on high volume roads, such as the downtown core, busy sidewalks and the cycling network. These avenues typically have the highest volume of traffic. Keeping them clear helps ensure the morning and afternoon commutes go as safely and efficiently as possible.
Maintaining sidewalks and pathways is part of the City’s commitment to supporting viable active transportation options year-round. Only a portion of the cycling network is winter-maintained, though, and you can visit the Winter Cycling Network(External link) for details.
Our goal is to clear the downtown roads and cycling network within four hours of the last snowflake having fallen.
Third level – 5 centimetres
Once we determine that 5 centimetres of snow has fallen, we respond to Class 4 and Class 5 roads – the major and minor collector roads that link neighbourhoods. In the days before amalgamation, many of these were known as regional roads. Major collectors are roads like Carling Avenue, Carp Road and Innes Road. Minor collectors are roads like Sherway Drive, Duford Drive or Castlefrank Road.
We also begin clearing more sidewalks, roads with OC Transpo service and roads that lead to schools and long-term care homes. This helps families, students and emergency responders get where they need to go.
Our goal is to clear the roads within six hours of the last snowflake having fallen, and to clear sidewalks within 16 hours.
Fourth level – 7 centimetres or more
If 7 centimetres or more of snow has fallen, we expand service to include roads in areas that are primarily residential, where you or someone you know probably live. Roads in residential areas are typically the last roads we plow, after the first three levels have been addressed.
Our goal is to clear all these roads within 10 hours of the last snowflake having fallen.
Subscribe to our Project page for automatic alerts for engagement opportunities and future updates!
The City Wants to Hear from You!
223.5 cm (or just over 7 feet for those who still use imperial measurements)! That’s the normal snowfall for the season in Ottawa. When that 223.5 cm starts to fall and accumulate, the City’s winter maintenance quality standards (WMQS) dictate when staff and equipment are mobilized to begin clearing the streets and sidewalks to keep drivers, pedestrians and cyclists safe.
The City’s current WMQS were adopted in 2003 and a great deal has changed since then. City policies and plans have evolved, and we have many new and improved transportation options, from the LRT to cycle tracks and more sidewalks on local streets. The result is a shift away from single drivers in vehicles to increased use of public and active transportation (walking, biking, roller blading, etc.).
The WMQS Project Team is also reviewing how the City can progressively plan the winter maintenance quality standards to accommodate for climate change; according to a recent study commissioned by the City and the National Capital Commission, winters could be four weeks shorter by the 2030s with far more freeze-thaw cycles between December and February, and fewer "deep freeze” events. This would have an impact on ice build-up, particularly on residential roadways, sidewalks and bike lanes. Accessibility, diversity, sustainability, safety and healthy living will also be reviewed as these weren’t considered when the current standards were drafted.
Between now and early 2021, the WMQS Project Team will be reviewing and developing new options for winter maintenance and they want to hear from you! For more information on the WMQS Review Project and ways to get involved please visit engage.ottawa.ca/wmqs
It’s also interesting to note that the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac is calling for “snowier-than-normal conditions” this season, so I suspect there’s probably going to be a lot to talk about!
Looking forward to hearing what you think!
223.5 cm (or just over 7 feet for those who still use imperial measurements)! That’s the normal snowfall for the season in Ottawa. When that 223.5 cm starts to fall and accumulate, the City’s winter maintenance quality standards (WMQS) dictate when staff and equipment are mobilized to begin clearing the streets and sidewalks to keep drivers, pedestrians and cyclists safe.
The City’s current WMQS were adopted in 2003 and a great deal has changed since then. City policies and plans have evolved, and we have many new and improved transportation options, from the LRT to cycle tracks and more sidewalks on local streets. The result is a shift away from single drivers in vehicles to increased use of public and active transportation (walking, biking, roller blading, etc.).
The WMQS Project Team is also reviewing how the City can progressively plan the winter maintenance quality standards to accommodate for climate change; according to a recent study commissioned by the City and the National Capital Commission, winters could be four weeks shorter by the 2030s with far more freeze-thaw cycles between December and February, and fewer "deep freeze” events. This would have an impact on ice build-up, particularly on residential roadways, sidewalks and bike lanes. Accessibility, diversity, sustainability, safety and healthy living will also be reviewed as these weren’t considered when the current standards were drafted.
Between now and early 2021, the WMQS Project Team will be reviewing and developing new options for winter maintenance and they want to hear from you! For more information on the WMQS Review Project and ways to get involved please visit engage.ottawa.ca/wmqs
It’s also interesting to note that the Canadian Farmers’ Almanac is calling for “snowier-than-normal conditions” this season, so I suspect there’s probably going to be a lot to talk about!
Looking forward to hearing what you think!
Update on Street Sweeping:
Street sweeping began in our ward today and will continue all week (weather permitting). To help out our road crews please keep vehicles, when possible, in your driveways so they can complete the work quickly and properly.
Street sweeping began in our ward today and will continue all week (weather permitting). To help out our road crews please keep vehicles, when possible, in your driveways so they can complete the work quickly and properly.
|
|
Potholes
Key facts:
Operational approach:
Potholes are a result of the freeze/thaw weather cycles that deteriorate our road surfaces. During the freeze/thaw, water seeps into the crevices of the road. Fluctuations in temperature, vibrations and traffic volumes all create stress on the asphalt road surface, which can result in potholes.
This is explained in a video on the City’s YouTube channel.
- The City of Ottawa fills around 250,000 potholes per year.
- Potholes are caused by the constant freeze-thaw cycle in winter and spring.
- On average, we experience around 68 freeze-thaw cycles per winter season.
- Potholes are formed when snow and ice melts and seeps into cracks in the surface of the road, combined with the vibration of traffic over the cracks.
- During peak pothole season in late winter and early spring, around 35 crews are out patching potholes each day.
- The City of Ottawa maintains 6,000 km of roadway – the equivalent of a two-lane road from Halifax to Vancouver.
Operational approach:
- City staff proactively monitor the state of the roads to determine which areas need attention.
- Repairs are scheduled and carried out based on the severity of the pothole, traffic impact, and are based on a provincial minimum maintenance standard.
- Crews clear the pothole of water and debris, fill it with hot asphalt, and compact it to create a tight bond with the surrounding pavement.
- Patching potholes is a temporary fix designed to ensure the road is safe for cyclists and motorists until more permanent repairs can be done.
- The City regularly tests new approaches, technology and best practices to find the most effective way to deal with potholes in Ottawa.
- If you see a pothole, report it online at ottawa.ca or by calling 3-1-1.
Potholes are a result of the freeze/thaw weather cycles that deteriorate our road surfaces. During the freeze/thaw, water seeps into the crevices of the road. Fluctuations in temperature, vibrations and traffic volumes all create stress on the asphalt road surface, which can result in potholes.
This is explained in a video on the City’s YouTube channel.
Winter Maintenance
When Roads Get Plowed
Snow removal is based on a road-priority system, with high-use roads and emergency and transit routes cleared first.
When Sidewalks Get Cleared
After the last snowflake falls:
If your sidewalk has not been cleared 72 hours after the end of a snowfall, please call 3-1-1. The City does not clear snow from driveways or private sidewalks leading to a residence.
Clearing Snow From Your Property
A snow windrow is a pile of snow that accumulates at the end of driveways and on the sides of streets during plowing. It is the responsibility of the home owner to remove their own driveway windrows.
Garbage and Recycling Collection
Place garbage containers and bags and recycling bins at the curb. Do not place them behind or on top of snow banks.
Snow removal is based on a road-priority system, with high-use roads and emergency and transit routes cleared first.
- Major roads, arterials and major collector roads: Plows are deployed at the start of accumulation.
- After the last snowflake falls:
- Major roads, arterials and major collectors: Within four hours
Roads will not be bare pavement during a storm. - Minor collector roads: Within six hours
- Residential roads and lanes: Within 16 hours
- Major roads, arterials and major collectors: Within four hours
When Sidewalks Get Cleared
After the last snowflake falls:
- Sidewalks in the downtown core: Within 6 hours
- Downtown residential sidewalks: Within 12 hours
- Residential sidewalks: Within 16 hours
- Intersections and pedestrian crossings: Within 16 hours
- Bus stops: Within 24 hours after clean up
If your sidewalk has not been cleared 72 hours after the end of a snowfall, please call 3-1-1. The City does not clear snow from driveways or private sidewalks leading to a residence.
Clearing Snow From Your Property
- Do not push snow and ice on the street, sidewalk or park.
- Keep fire hydrants free of snow.
- Use wood, plastic or fibreglass driveway markers, which should be no larger than a hockey stick.
- Open catch basins or drains in front of your property when the weather becomes mild.
- Catch basins are identified by a yellow “T” bar painted on the roadway.
A snow windrow is a pile of snow that accumulates at the end of driveways and on the sides of streets during plowing. It is the responsibility of the home owner to remove their own driveway windrows.
Garbage and Recycling Collection
Place garbage containers and bags and recycling bins at the curb. Do not place them behind or on top of snow banks.
Winter Overnight Parking Bans
Between November 15 to April 1, there is no on-street parking between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. when Environment Canada forecasts 7 cm or more of snow in the Ottawa area. This includes any forecast for a range of snow more than 7 cm, such as 5 to 10 cm.
Vehicles without a residential parking permit that are parked on the street during an overnight parking ban will be ticketed and towed.
When an overnight winter parking ban is made, the City issues a special advisory to the local media and posts it on ottawa.ca. The parking ban ends when snow clearing is completed and the City issues an advisory indicating that it has been lifted.
Sign up for notifications
Vehicles without a residential parking permit that are parked on the street during an overnight parking ban will be ticketed and towed.
When an overnight winter parking ban is made, the City issues a special advisory to the local media and posts it on ottawa.ca. The parking ban ends when snow clearing is completed and the City issues an advisory indicating that it has been lifted.
Sign up for notifications
How Roads Are Cleared
How Roads Are Cleared
After a severe snow storm, operators may have to plow a street twice. Sometimes a grader or dump truck with front and wing plows will do a first pass, followed by a sand/salt truck, to clear a small amount of snow and make sanding/salting more effective.
To clear a cul-de-sac, operators will push the remaining snow to the centre or outside of the street, depending on the available area.
In the early winter, the City removes ruts that have formed on snow-packed surfaces. This keeps catch basis open and helps prevent flooding.
Salt and Sand
The City applies dry salt, wet salt, sand salt mix, liquid brine and abrasive materials on streets. Salt is spread early during a snowstorm to make a brine solution that prevents the ice from sticking to the asphalt.
To minimize salt use, rock salt is sprayed with a liquid de-icer as it is spread. This speeds up ice melting by making the salt sticky so it can adhere to the road.
Anti-icing is used before or at the beginning of freezing rain or other winter precipitation. The de-icing solution consists of pre-wetted salt or a liquid solution. It is applied to the Transitway and Highway 174 to prevent ice from forming and bonding to the pavement.
Abrasive materials such as sand are used to increase traction in colder temperatures when salt is not effective.
Snow Removal and Disposal
The City aims to distribute snow on both sides of the road. Snow banks are removed or reduced in size when they begin to restrict sightlines, travel widths, and pedestrian and cycling traffic. Snow banks that restrict sightlines at intersections and at pedestrian, school and railway crossings are removed within 24 hours after crews are made aware of the situation. If weather permits, snow banks are pushed back to curbs to provide more driving width on the roads and to make space to store snow.
The City’s snow disposal facilities do not accept snow from private operators. To find private snow disposal facilities, consult the Yellow Pages, Greater Ottawa Truckers Association or Ottawa Construction Association.
Flood Control
If the temperature rises above zero degrees Celsius in a short period of time, flooding can occur. The City maintains drainage systems to reduce potential flooding conditions. City crews remove snow and ice from catch basins on roads and sidewalks to ensure melting snow drains when required. It is normal for water to pool around a catch basin in wet weather. Roads are designed to drain based on the sewer capacity. Roadside ditches are cleared at the outlet end of the ditch system to provide drainage for the spring melt.
After a severe snow storm, operators may have to plow a street twice. Sometimes a grader or dump truck with front and wing plows will do a first pass, followed by a sand/salt truck, to clear a small amount of snow and make sanding/salting more effective.
To clear a cul-de-sac, operators will push the remaining snow to the centre or outside of the street, depending on the available area.
In the early winter, the City removes ruts that have formed on snow-packed surfaces. This keeps catch basis open and helps prevent flooding.
Salt and Sand
The City applies dry salt, wet salt, sand salt mix, liquid brine and abrasive materials on streets. Salt is spread early during a snowstorm to make a brine solution that prevents the ice from sticking to the asphalt.
To minimize salt use, rock salt is sprayed with a liquid de-icer as it is spread. This speeds up ice melting by making the salt sticky so it can adhere to the road.
Anti-icing is used before or at the beginning of freezing rain or other winter precipitation. The de-icing solution consists of pre-wetted salt or a liquid solution. It is applied to the Transitway and Highway 174 to prevent ice from forming and bonding to the pavement.
Abrasive materials such as sand are used to increase traction in colder temperatures when salt is not effective.
Snow Removal and Disposal
The City aims to distribute snow on both sides of the road. Snow banks are removed or reduced in size when they begin to restrict sightlines, travel widths, and pedestrian and cycling traffic. Snow banks that restrict sightlines at intersections and at pedestrian, school and railway crossings are removed within 24 hours after crews are made aware of the situation. If weather permits, snow banks are pushed back to curbs to provide more driving width on the roads and to make space to store snow.
The City’s snow disposal facilities do not accept snow from private operators. To find private snow disposal facilities, consult the Yellow Pages, Greater Ottawa Truckers Association or Ottawa Construction Association.
Flood Control
If the temperature rises above zero degrees Celsius in a short period of time, flooding can occur. The City maintains drainage systems to reduce potential flooding conditions. City crews remove snow and ice from catch basins on roads and sidewalks to ensure melting snow drains when required. It is normal for water to pool around a catch basin in wet weather. Roads are designed to drain based on the sewer capacity. Roadside ditches are cleared at the outlet end of the ditch system to provide drainage for the spring melt.
Ice Thickness: Do You Know What is Safe?
With recent cold temperatures, rivers, lakes and the Rideau Canal have begun to freeze, but looks can be deceiving. What ice thickness is safe?
Here’s what you need to know before going out onto the ice:
According to the Canadian Red Cross, many factors affect ice thickness including: type of water, location, the time of year and other environmental factors such as:
As a guideline, clear blue ice is usually the strongest; white opaque or snow ice is half as strong as blue ice. Grey ice is unsafe; it indicates the presence of water.
When in doubt, simply stay off the ice.
More ice safety tips are available from the Canadian Red Cross or the National Capital Commission.
Here’s what you need to know before going out onto the ice:
- Minimum or at least 15 cm for walking or skating alone
- 20 cm for skating parties or games
- 25 cm for snowmobiles
- 35 cm for fishing huts
According to the Canadian Red Cross, many factors affect ice thickness including: type of water, location, the time of year and other environmental factors such as:
- Water depth and size of body of water
- Currents, tides and other moving water
- Fluctuations in water levels
- Changing air temperature
As a guideline, clear blue ice is usually the strongest; white opaque or snow ice is half as strong as blue ice. Grey ice is unsafe; it indicates the presence of water.
When in doubt, simply stay off the ice.
More ice safety tips are available from the Canadian Red Cross or the National Capital Commission.
Transportation Master Plan
In 2013, the City of Ottawa completed a Transportation Master Plan which outlines the future development of the road network. This Plan is an aid for residents to foresee the shape of their community in the years to come.
Below is a link to the 2013 Transportation Master Plan for the City of Ottawa.
2013_transportation_master_plan.pdf
Below is a link to the 2013 Transportation Master Plan for the City of Ottawa.
2013_transportation_master_plan.pdf