Michael Parks, Manager, Traffic Engineering Services, Operations

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1 brampton.ca BRAMPTON FlOWef City Report Committee of Council Committee of the Council of The Corporation of the City of Brampton Date: Monday, September 19, 2011 File: T37SIGN Subject: Child Disability Warning Sign COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL DATE:Qchhef t2p\l Contact: Michael Parks, Manager, Traffic Engineering Services, Operations Division (905) Overview: Existing "Deaf Child" warning signs are intended to provide advance warning to motorists of the possibility of a hearing impaired child playing in the area. Recently, staff received a number of requests for warning signs to caution drivers of the presence of an autistic child on a residential street. The "Child Disability" warning sign program will formalize the guidelines for the existing "Deaf Child" warning signs and provide the flexibility to include other child disabilities that may pose the same traffic awareness concerns. Recommendations: 1. That the report from Michael Parks, Manager, Traffic Engineering Services, Works and Transportation Department, dated September 19, 2011, to the Committee of Council Meeting of October 5, 2011, re: Child Disability Warning Sign be received; and, 2. That the use of a new traffic sign be considered, using the location criteria outlined in this report, intended to warn drivers of the presence of hearing impaired children, autistic children or children with other disabilities near the roadway.

2 Hi-"L Background: Currently there is an inventory of approximately nine "DeafChild" warning signs throughout the City. Identified as an existing practice within the Pedestrian Safety Plan, these signs are intended to provide advance warning to motorists ofthe possibility of a hearing impaired child playing in the area, and to be more aware as hearing impaired children cannot hear an approaching passenger car, school bus, or truck. The City of Brampton provides the "Deaf Child" warning signs on local roadway approaches to the residence of a hearing impaired child who is between the ages of 2 and 18. Recently, staff received a number of requests for warning signs to caution drivers of the presence of an autistic child on a residential street. Through discussions with the Health-Care industry, specifically a local nonprofit agency specializing in the care/support of autistic children, staff has confirmed that autistic children may have a decreased awareness of their surroundings and their environment and may not recognize the hazards associated with traffic. Current Situation: When considering signs for installation, all attempts are made to use signs specified in the Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM). Adherence to the signs in the OTM creates consistency and uniformity and in turn, increased driver recognition and compliance. The City currently uses the following signs to warn drivers of the presence of young pedestrians (children): WATCHFOR & CHILDREN School Area School Crossing Playground Watch for Deaf Child Sign Sign Sign Ahead Sign Children Sign The first three signs listed above are prescribed within the OTM, including guidelines for use and location criteria specific for each sign. The "Watch for Children" sign is a made for Brampton sign that is intended to warn drivers of the unexpected presence of children on or near a designated roadway. The guidelines for use and location criteria for the Watch for Children sign was approved by Council in March The Deaf Child

3 Hi-2) sign is not prescribed in the OTM but is currently used in Brampton under an informal policy. In response to the need for an additional sign to warn drivers ofthe presence of a child with a disability (autism), staff has developed a program for a "Child Disability" sign. This new sign type can be applied to hearing impaired child, autistic child or any child disability that may pose an awareness concern for motorists. As this is not a sign prescribed in the OTM, consideration was given to the design and layout of the sign. Figure 1 illustrates examples of the proposed sign for use. The following provides the rationale for design and layout for the proposed "Child Disability" sign: The words "CAUTION" and a description of the specific ailment such as "Deaf Child" or "Autistic Child" give specific direction and warning to the driver. CAUTION The black on yellow colour scheme is consistent with warning signs and recognizable to the driver. The symbol is borrowed from the playground ahead sign as it provides warning of a similar hazard. Figure 1 - Proposed sign To prevent sign proliferation and maintain the integrity of the sign, staff has developed criteria for the placement and use of these signs. The "Child Disability" signs will be considered and applied under the following guidelines: 1. A request for a "Child Disability" warning sign must be made in writing by the parents/legal guardian of the child. The request must contain: Parent's name Child's name Address Phone number Child's birth date Notice from a licensed medical practitioner verifying the child's disability 2. Medical verification of the disability is required and the child must be between the age of 2 and 18 years old.

4 3. Signs will be limited to residential collector or local roadways with single family residential frontage. Signs will not be provided on arterial roadways or in front of apartment buildings. 4. Signs will be mounted at a heightof 1.5 to 2.5 metres above grade. The placement of the sign will adhere to the guidelines outlined in the OTM for pedestrian warning signs. 5. Parent(s)/legal guardian shallagree to notify the City if the sign is no longer required (i.e. family moves). Citystaff will proactively send a letter to each participating family annually requesting confirmation on their continued participation in the program. 6. Parent(s)/legal guardian shall agree to educating children on traffic safety. Specific placement of"child Disability" signs is to be determined by stafftaking into consideration exposure, visibility and the proximity and impacton other regulatory, warning and guide signs. Where it is determined that a sign is not effective or it interferes with existing signage, alternatives, including non-placement will be considered. The existing signs at the nine (9) "Deaf Child" sign locations will be upgraded with the new "Hearing Impaired Child" signs by the end of Corporate Implications: Comments from the City's Accessibility Coordinator have been incorporated into this report. Conclusion: The introduction of the "Child Disability" warning sign program will formalize the guidelines for the existing "Deaf Child" warning signs and provide the flexibility to include other child disabilities that may pose the same traffic awareness concerns.

5 H'-S / Romualdo D'lppolito, P.Eng., Thomas W. Mulligajn, P.Eng., 'o(l~ Director, Operations Commissioner of Works and Transportation Report authored by: Mushtaq Tunio, Traffic Operations Technologist, Traffic Engineering Services