Agenda Index City of Vancouver


CITY OF VANCOUVER
ENGINEERING SERVICES
D.H. Rudberg, P.Eng., General Manager
T.R. Timm, P.Eng., Deputy City Engineer

TO: Mayor and Council

FROM: Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation

CC: Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services

RE: TRUCK SAFETY AND ENFORCEMENT

The recent fatality on Marine Drive from an insecure truck load has served to highlight a problem of loose material and other issues relating to trucks. We have undertaken a review of existing City by-laws and the Motor Vehicle Act with regard to load securement of trucks, as well as current and proposed enforcement procedures.

This memorandum discusses, for review, a proposal to change the Street and Traffic By-Law regarding securement of vehicle loads, and planned enforcement changes in the City.

Load Securement

Section 35.03 of the Motor Vehicle Act requires that a load be secured. This would also cover overloading and any material left on the truck sides or between the wheels. However, only aggregate loads require a cover to stop the load being "blown, bounced or dropped from the vehicle". Similarly, the City by-law requires that the load be securely fastened so as to avoid becoming "loose, detached, or in any manner a hazard...." (Sec. 99), but only requires that sawdust, liquid and solid waste be securely covered.

Ontario, for example, has a more rigorous regulation that more specifically defines loads that must be covered but provides some flexibility given load amount and type. ICBC considers this to be a very good model for any load securement laws.

The existing City by-law (see Appendix A) could be altered to incorporate these elements of the Ontario legislation which would require that the majority of dump trucks use a cover to secure their loads. Many dump trucks currently have an automatic tarpaulinarrangement making this a relatively simple procedure, although this does not totally guarantee a load is secure. Other trucks would be required to place a tarpaulin by hand, which would ensure the driver inspects the load before leaving the site. Further discussions would be required with the trucking industry, ICBC and other jurisdictions to ensure these changes are reasonable and effective, and to finalize wording. Initial contacts with the Ministry of Transportation and Highways, ICBC and BC Trucking Association have been very positive.

Once these consultations are complete, we expect to report back with proposed revisions to the By-law.

Both the Police and City Staff are expanding programs to deal with compliance of the Motor Vehicle Act and City by-laws. The Police Department is increasing training for Officers to aid in dealing with truck-related issues. This will enable any Traffic Officer or Waterfront Officer to inspect and ticket commercial vehicles. The police will also work more closely with City staff in dealing with the source of truck related problems, as many incidents arise from the employer's actions.

Engineering staff propose to undertake a program to address these concerns at the source of truck traffic (such as a development company). Additional requirements will be added to the existing range of relevant permits, contracts and agreements to include provisions similar to the following:

… All truck operators must operate the vehicle in a safe and courteous manner and in full compliance with Motor Vehicle Regulations.

… All trucks operators must comply with City of Vancouver By-laws regulating truck use, including truck route, engine brake noise, weight and load securement provisions.

The above requirements will be added to:

… The City of Vancouver Truck Hiring Policy
… Street Use Permits (required for any building permit)
… Agreements with other agencies such as the Province, Translink, GVRD, BC Hydro, BC Gas, and other Utility Companies
… Contracts issued by both the City and other government agencies

The City Truck Route Map will also be revised with these new provisions.

These requirements will be made clear prior to any work, with follow-up by Building Site Inspectors, Traffic Management staff, Utility Inspectors, and City Superintendents. City staff will work in close cooperation with the police in targeting and responding to complaints. Aside from any Police charges, a warning will be forwarded to the permit holder, agency or contractor. It is anticipated that the vast majority of complaints willbe resolved at this stage. Further infractions will be dealt with through the standard City process for any breach of permit, contract or agreement condition.

Staff have also begun approaching the Parks Board, Vancouver Port Corporation, UBC, University Endowments Lands and UBC Properties Incorporated to discuss the addition of these requirements to their agreements and contracts. Initial discussions have been positive.

This approach is currently in successful use by Traffic Management staff with several projects within the City, such as the SkyTrain Expansion project.

S.W. Marine Drive

This residential street experiences increases in truck traffic when there is construction in the area, either from development sites in the city or major projects at UBC. This street has been designated for increased enforcement by the police in recognition of the current level of truck activity and traffic volumes. We also propose to utilize a speed reader board, which is owned by ICBC and co-ordinated through the police, assuming that volunteers are available for this task.

Again, we anticipate reporting to you shortly on proposed revisions to the Street and Traffic By-law.

Ian Adam, P.Eng Inspector Ken Davies
Assistant City Engineer, Transportation Police Services, Traffic Section

PJR/sf
Attach.
truckbylaw.wpd

APPENDIX A February 19, 2001

STREET AND TRAFFIC BY-LAW

BY-LAW No.2849

A By-law to Regulate Traffic and the Use of Streets in the City of Vancouver

SPILLING OF VEHICLE LOADS ON STREETS
SECURING OF LOADS

99. (2) (a) No person shall drive, ride or propel any vehicle containing any sawdust, solid waste, liquid waste, on any street in the City unless such vehicles shall be kept tightly and securely covered in such manner as to prevent any of load from being blown, dropped or spilled from such vehicle.

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