Traffic Engineering

What is a Traffic Circle?

A roundabout or traffic circles are becoming more and more common across Ontario. A roundabout/traffic circle is a circular intersection where drivers travel counter-clockwise around a center island. They are generally used on major roads to control the flow of traffic through an intersection as an alternative to traffic signals. Drivers yield at entry to traffic in the roundabout/traffic circle, then enter the intersection and exit at their desired street.

A Neighbourhood Traffic Circle is typically constructed in a residential area for traffic calming and/or aesthetic reasons. In many locations, a neighbourhood traffic circle can be installed within the footprint of the existing intersection without impacting the curb lines. The intersection typically does not include raised channelization to guide the approaching driver or cyclist into the circulatory roadway.

This traffic circle will be installed using temporary rubber curbing to create a circle and then it will be filled in with recycled asphalt product that is gathered from road construction projects with the City of Orillia. This will not change where the existing intersection curbs are and will be fully contained within the intersection. 

Why is a Traffic Circle being installed?

Staff have been made aware of resident concerns with collisions and speeds at this intersection. City of Orillia staff then collected speed data around this intersection and completed a review of existing geometry, sightlines, operation and collision frequency and severity. From that review it was identified that this intersection is an area of concern due to higher-than-expected collision frequency and high rates of speed.

Following Ontario traffic Manual guidelines this less restrictive approach will be installed for one year to gather traffic data such as collisions frequency, severity and vehicle speed. That information will be reported to council with a permanent decision on what is the most appropriate approach to address safety concerns at this intersection will be decided.

Typically safety is increased at roundabouts, a study conducted by Transport Canada and the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2000 found roundabouts reduced the number of collisions by 35%, lowered the number of injuries by 76% and fatalities by 90%.

How do I use a Neighbourhood Traffic Circle?

The MTO’s Driver's Handbook details how to properly navigate roundabouts for new drivers. Here is a brief refresher:

Approaching a roundabout

• As you approach the roundabout, look for signage to choose your exit.
• Choose which lane to use as you would for any other intersection.
• Use the left lane to turn left or to go straight.
• Use the right lane to turn right or to go straight.
• Do not enter a roundabout from the right lane if you want to turn left.
• Slow down and watch for pedestrians on the approach to the yield line at the entrance of the roundabout. Stay in your lane! 

Entering a roundabout

• Visual checks: Do visual checks of all vehicles already in the roundabout and those waiting to enter, including cyclists.
• Look left: Traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way. When preparing to enter the roundabout, adjust your speed or stop at the yield sign if necessary.
• Adequate gap: Watch for a safe opportunity to enter the roundabout. Enter when there is an adequate gap in the circulating traffic flow. Don’t enter directly beside another already in the roundabout, as they may be exiting at the next exit.
• Travel counter-clockwise: Once in the roundabout, always travel in a counter-clockwise direction.
• Keep moving: Once you are in the roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a collision; you have the right-of-way over entering traffic. If in the inside lane and you miss your exit, you must continue around until you meet your exit again. 

Exiting a roundabout

• Signal: Be sure to signal your exit and watch for pedestrians.
• Maintain your position: Maintain your position relative to other vehicles.
• Signal intent to exit: Once you have passed the exit before the one you want, use your right-turn signal.
• Left lane exit: If exiting from the left lane, watch out for vehicles on the right that continue to circulate around the roundabout.

What about emergency vehicles?

If you are in the traffic circle when an emergency vehicle approaches, exit at your intended exit and proceed until safe to pull over. If you have not entered the traffic circle yet, pull over to the right if possible and wait until the emergency vehicle has passed.

Why not an all-way stop instead?

This location was reviewed for an all-way stop, but the close distance of approximately 130 metres from the Atherley Road traffic lights pose a problem. Staff follow engineering design guidelines such as the Transportation Association of Canada and the Ontario Traffic Manual. Following those guidelines allows a consistent approach across Ontario and Canada, reducing potential driver confusion.

Following the guidelines, it is recommended that a distance of 250 metres from other traffic devices controlling right-of-way is permanently installed. While this may not always be feasible, and an all-way stop may be erected, it is recommended that less restrictive measures be tried first. This is why a temporary pilot project of a traffic calming neighbourhood traffic circle is being trialed. 

What about pedestrians?

As this is a traffic calming Neighbourhood Traffic Circle, there will be no adjustments to pedestrian crossings. Pedestrians are still expected to cross at designated locations when safe to do so. 

What about cyclists?

Cyclists are expected to follow the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. A bicycle is considered a vehicle, just like a car or truck.

As a cyclist, you:

• must obey all traffic laws,
• have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers.

What about snow clearing?

Operations staff are aware of this project and will be using specific equipment to clear the snow from this intersection as soon as reasonably possible.

What about transit?

Transit has been informed of this project and have confirmed that there will not be any impacts to their existing routes. Any changes that will be required will be made publicly aware ahead of time. 

What about large vehicles?

The City of Orillia has designated Forest Avenue from James Street East to the Highway 12 By-Pass as a No Heavy Trucks route and should see few heavy truck vehicles. There is a reduced load restriction.

Are there additional signs? What about the old stop signs?

Yes, there will be additional yield signs, new traffic operation signs installed and “traffic circle/roundabout signs”. 

Traffic Calming Policy

The Engineering and Transportation Division receives numerous concerns, both real and perceived, from residents regarding high traffic volumes, short-cutting, speeding and overall neighbourhood safety. Traffic Calming is defined as "the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, after driver behaviour and improve conditions for non-motorized street users".

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines, procedures and criteria for the initiation, investigation and implementation of traffic calming measures within residential neighbourhoods to address safety concerns related to speeding and excessive volume in a fair and efficient manner. Guidelines included in this policy will be applied to local and collector roadways within primarily residential neighbourhoods. The policy does not apply to arterial roadways.

Policy 2.6.1.1. Traffic Calming

Traffic Calming Policy Resident Package

Speed Feedback Signs, otherwise known as Driver Feedback Signs or Radar Speed Signs are an effective tool to assist with temporary traffic calming measures in a neighbourhood. Vehicle speeds are displayed as the vehicle approaches the speed sign, and speeds above the speed limit will flash.  This encourages the driver to slow down.  In addition to providing feedback to drivers, the Speed Feedback Signs also collect data that is reviewed by the Development Services and Engineering Department, such as the average speeds and traffic volume. Existing speed data can be viewed on the Traffic Speed Surveys Map.

Typically the Speed Feedback Signs are placed in a neighbourhood for 7-14 days, and then relocated to another area of the City.  If you would like to request Speed Feedback Signs at a particular location within the City of Orillia, please fill out the printable Speed Feedback Sign Deployment Request Form. The form can be returned to the City of Orillia Development Services and Engineering Department at 50 Andrew Street South, 3rd Floor.   Alternatively, the form can be filled out online or emailed to engineering@orillia.ca. The deployment areas are scheduled up to a year in advance, and are scheduled based on historical data, resident requests, and staff analysis.  At this time, there is one set of Speed Feedback Signs.  To ensure coverage across the entire City, the signs will generally only be placed in a particular deployment area no more than once every three years.

The Development Services and Engineering Department receives numerous requests from residents requesting a change to the existing on-street parking by-law restriction on their roadway.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines, procedures and criteria for the initiation, investigation and implementation for the requests of on-street parking by-law regulation changes. If you wish to initiate the process, the steps to do so can be found in the policy document below. You will have to complete an application and provide a petition with supporting residents. Once the City receives an application staff will happily review the request and notify residents of the status of the request.

Policy and Application

The Ontario Provincial Policy online reporting tools allows you to report minor complaints, which include driving complaints online. 

To file a complaint, please visit the OPP website.

Traffic Documents for Developments

Traffic Information Request form