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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Page Updated October 27, 2005
The “modern” roundabout has come into favour recently as an effective means of controlling traffic at intersections. Roundabouts reduce delay and have a better safety performance than stop-controlled intersections when it comes to high severity collisions. The new roundabouts have improved geometric design over the older ones found in North America in the 1960s, and offer overall better performance than their predecessors and regular intersections. A new Ministry of Transportation "Roundabouts" page has been developed that includes an animated graphic depiction of how roundabouts work. Does the Ministry of Transportation (MoT) have any highway cameras available for viewing on the Internet?
How can I find out about border crossing information?
How is MoT accommodating the aging driver?
What are traffic control devices?
Are traffic control devices the same across Canada?
What are the elevations of major summits and passes on BC's primary highways?
I’ve noticed that the MoT traffic signals are highly visible at night – why is that?
How does the Ministry determine if a traffic signal should be installed at a particular location?
Why bother with all this analysis? – Why not just put in a signal when the public requests one.
When I’m walking across an intersection controlled by a traffic signal the white “walk” light never stays on long enough for me to cross. Why?
Why do some traffic lights flash green?
How do we get a pedestrian signal installed on a Ministry highway? The Ministry’s traffic engineer will evaluate the location based on established guidelines to determine if a pedestrian signal is justified. In general, if there are sufficient volumes of pedestrians and high volumes of main street traffic resulting in a lack of “gaps” or crossing opportunities, a pedestrian signal may be justified. What is the purpose of the small white and blue light located on the traffic signal support?
What is the purpose of the rectangular white light on a signal head?
Why do I have to wait longer for a green light at a local intersection at different times of the day? The intersection likely has a “time of day” timing plan which allocates more green time to the direction of travel with the highest volume of traffic. Since traffic flow varies during the course of the day you may find that if you are on a side street you may have to wait longer for a green light in the morning or late afternoon peak times – versus at mid-day or at night. I have noticed two different types of left turn arrow displays when I drive; one type displays a solid green arrow when a left turn is allowed and the other type displays a flashing green arrow. What is the difference between these two different types of green arrow displays? You are describing what is called a “Protected” and a “Protected/Permissive” left turning phasing. The “protected phase” means that when a motorist sees a solid green arrow, the entire time is dedicated to the left turn, which is followed by a yellow, then a red signal. The “protected/permissive phase” means that after the green arrow stops flashing, it is followed by a solid yellow arrow to indicate the exclusive left turn movement (“protected”) has ended. However, motorists will see a solid green signal so they can still make a left turn when safe to do so (“permissive”), as long as they yield to on-coming traffic.
Why do some Ministry traffic signals have yellow “PREPARE TO STOP” signs with yellow flashers on them in advance of intersections? How do they work? The Ministry installs “Prepare to Stop” warning signs at traffic signals when:
These signs are used to provide additional guidance to motorists and allow a gradual deceleration before the signal changes to a yellow light. The flashers are programmed to come on at a given interval before the yellow signal comes on. This interval time will vary depending on the speed limit and grade at the site.
How are speed limits determined? The BC Motor Vehicle Act establishes the basic or “statutory” speed limit on all public roads: 80km/h outside municipalities and 50km/h within municipalities. The respective road authority (Ministry of Transportation or incorporated municipality) may alter posted speed limits. The Ministry’s
policy for establishing speed limits follows the industry practice
as set out by the Institute of Transportation Engineers’ document
entitled “Speed Zone Guidelines, A Proposed Recommended Practice.”
Link here to a page about purchasing this document - Institute of Transporation Engineers bookstore website The speed limits on Ministry highways range from 50 to 110km/h, in 10km/h increments depending on the type of highway. The guiding principle in establishing a speed limit is the use of the 85th percentile speed concept. This means that setting the speed limit as near as practicable to the speed limit at which 85% of traffic is traveling at or below under ideal road and weather conditions is the basis for a speed limit. This 85th percentile speed limit may then be adjusted to obtain a final posted speed limit, as determined by the traffic engineer. Factors taken into consideration for the adjustment include: safety performance of the road, geometric features such as shoulder width, number of intersections or accesses and surrounding land use.
The regional traffic engineer is responsible for conducting the speed zone study, analysis and recommended speed limit. The Ministry’s Chief Engineer approves all speed limits on provincial highways. Where does the speed limit change take effect? The Motor Vehicle Act specifies that the speed limit is in effect at the point which the black and white regulatory speed limit sign is placed. The highway adjacent to my property is posted at 90km/h. Why won’t the ministry consider posting a 60km/h zone to slow traffic down in front of my property? It is a popular misconception that reducing the posted speed will automatically reduce the speed of traffic. Similarly, raising the posted speed limit will not necessarily increase the speed of traffic. Studies have shown that drivers will tend to disregard posted speed limits that they deem unreasonable. An unrealistically low speed limit will simply result in speed differentials between the few motorist who actually will obey the limit, and the majority who disregard it. If the unrealistic speed limit were to be enforced it may create antagonism toward the police and traffic laws in general. What is the difference between the speed limits on the small yellow signs and the larger black and white signs? The speed limit on the small, square, black and yellow signs are advisory speed limits and are normally used in conjunction with a sign warning of a curve. These signs are posted for driver safety and guidance. The black and white speed limit signs are regulatory. If a driver is found to be exceeding this limit, it is a ticketable offence. How can I get a 30km/h school speed limit installed on the highway?
Under the Motor Vehicle Act the school zone is in effect from 8am to 5pm, or as specified on the speed sign. Playground zones are in effect from sunrise to sunset.
What is the ministry's policy regarding election signs on a highway right-of-way? The ministry conditionally allows election posters or signs on highway rights-of-way, with the exception of freeways or any major highway structures. Election posters or signs:
Are there any highways where election campaign signs are not allowed to appear? The sign policy of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways allows the placement of election campaign signs along most provincial highways on a first-come, first-served basis. There are, however, some exceptions. Election campaign signs are not allowed to be placed on some freeways. How does the ministry handle the removal of election signs? Signs or posters contravening the conditions mentioned in the answers to the previous two questions will be taken down by the Ministry. The next working day after an election, the election signs should be taken down by those who installed them..
Why don’t you use the “Keep Right Except to Pass” sign instead of the “Slower Traffic Keep Right” sign on multi-lane highways? On multi-lane roadways, the standard is to use the “Slower Traffic Keep Right” sign. Using the “Keep Right Except to Pass” sign tends to force drivers into the right lane which is not desirable on high volume urban highways where all lanes must be used to handle capacity. Outside of B.C., the “Keep Right Except to Pass” sign is used on passing and climbing lanes on 2 lane rural highways. What is the difference between the black signs with white arrows; the white signs with black arrows; and red or green circles with a horizontal slash line through them? They all appear at intersections. The black signs with white arrows are called “lane control signs.” They specify the movement that is permitted in a particular lane. They are used when the lane requires a maneuver different than normally expected (e.g. a right lane that becomes a mandatory right turn movement, may have a right turn lane control sign mounted above this lane). The white signs with black arrows in a red or green circle are “turn control” signs. They regulate the type of movement allowed or disallowed at the intersection, but do not reference the movement by lane. For example; a black left turn arrow within a red circle with a diagonal slash through it means no left turns are permitted at the intersection. However if the 2 right hand lanes were mandatory right turns then a right turn lane control sign (white arrow on black) would be mounted over each right turn lane in addition to the turn control sign.
How are exits numbers for interchanges determined?
The
eligibility criteria and entire sign policy are detailed in the
following program manuals (Adobe Acrobat PDFs): What should I do if I plan to put up a sign near a provincial highway or if I need access to ministry property? To maintain the efficiency of the provincial highway system and to ensure public safety, all development next to highways must comply with the standards and requirements set by the ministry and perhaps the municipality. Therefore, it is imperative to discuss your proposal with staff in your ministry district office. Please refer to the government of B.C. listings in the blue pages of your telephone book under Transportation for the office nearest you, or use the following link: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/contacts.htm
Why does MoT used the electronic message signs and how are they used? These signs,
referred to as "changeable message signs" (CMS) are used
throughout the province to communicate road conditions such as construction
activities, closures, weather related conditions, traffic accidents
etc. that may affect the travel time and route selection for motorists.
The CMS signs may also display the occasional public safety message
such as the "Amber Alert" messages in cooperation with
the RCMP.
The general procedure is outlined in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada, so that all road agencies use the same general principals, resulting in passing zones on the national road network being consistently applied. What type of paint is used for road marking and how do they make it reflective? Road marking paint is specially formulated for the traffic. Several manufacturers produce this paint. Both the yellow and white paint are alkyd-based paint. The Ministry tests road marking paint on a regular basis to assess its suitability for road marking Often stop bars and crosswalk are marked using thermoplastic materials rather than paint. At these location thermoplastic is much more durable and lasts up to five times longer than paint. Road marking are made reflective by the application of specially manufactured glass beads which are added to the paint after it is sprayed on the pavement. Why aren’t the lines wider—wouldn’t they be easier to see? All are 100mm wide except for lines on freeways near ‘critical” areas (such as exit ramps) which are 200mm wide. These dimensions are consistent with national standards. The Ministry may approve wider edge lines (150mm) at locations where they are considered justified from a safety perspective. A network-wide use of wider lines would add significant cost to the Ministry’s pavement marking costs. Why aren’t the pavement markings reflective when it’s raining? All pavement marking have reflective qualities. Reflective glass beads are added to the paint as it is applied. Unfortunately, if it is raining, the reflective qualities of the markings are greatly diminished as water coats the glass beads and reduces the reflective qualities. Additionally, markings become less reflective as they age. Normal traffic wears the markings, and sand and salt in the snow belt areas act as an abrasive and further deteriorates the markings. There are new types of marking material with greatly improved life spans. Some are highly effective in terms or visibility at night under wet conditions, however these products are approximately thirty times the cost of paint – therefore this limits their use. How often does the Ministry re-paint the markings? Directional dividing lines on major routes are painted annually. Lane edge lines and dividing lines on lower volumes routes are done every second year. Overall the Ministry paints approximately 30,000 lane-kilometers of lines every year. Why doesn’t the Ministry use more “cat’s eyes” or pavement reflectors? The term “cat’s eyes” refers to a particular brand of pavement reflector that was developed in the UK. The generic term for pavement reflectors is “raised pavement markers” (RPMs). 
 Raised pavement markers are effective in improving driver guidance, especially in the south coast and Vancouver Island areas of the province. In other areas where winters are quite snowy, reflectors are often severely damaged or removed by snowplows. The Ministry has researched and experimented with various reflector designs that are considered “snowplowable”. However none have proven to be durable and cost-effective over the long term. The Ministry has looked at installing pavement reflectors in recessed grooves but water tends to accumulates in the grooves, diminishing the reflective qualities of the reflector. In snowy areas the recesses often get packed with snow and sand, and the reflectors often become damaged from vehicles using tire chains. In some cities, road lanes have a diamond painted on the pavement. What is that for?
Why do the “high occupancy vehicle” lanes in the Vancouver area differ in the number of people required in the vehicle before using the lane? On Highway 1, it’s 2 persons per vehicle and on Highway 99 it’s 3. The occupancy rate is determined by usage and demand as well as capacity issues. On Highway 1, the HOV usage rate at 3 persons per vehicle was lower than expected – so to improve the HOV lane usage, the occupancy was dropped to 2 persons per vehicle. On the Highway 99 facility, the HOV occupancy is now 2 persons. Why are some crosswalks marked with two parallel lines while other have solid rectangles across the road?
Are studded tires permitted on BC highways? Yes, from October 1st to April 30th. Use of studded tires outside of this period may result in a fine. Are all season tires considered snow tires? Yes, under the current definition of snow tires in the Motor Vehicle Act. However, drivers are encouraged to use snow tires that have the “severe winter service” rating. See the brochure: Winter Safety — Tire Chains and Winter Tires
How many streetlights does the Ministry of Transportation operate? The Ministry of Transportation operates approximately 20,000 conventional street lights and approximately 600 high mast lights. Additionally, there are numerous fixtures such as sign luminaires and tunnel lights etcetera. How do street lights turn on at dusk and off at dawn? Also, why do some lights turn on at different times than others? Street lights are controlled by photo electric cells. These devices sense the amount of daylight and turn the street light on and off at preset light levels. Some street lights are controlled individually, whereas some jurisdictions, such as the BC Ministry of Transportation, control street lights in groups. What type of bulbs are used in streetlights? The Ministry uses “high pressure sodium” bulbs which provide 5 times the output for the same wattage as an incandescent bulb – ranging from 150 to 400 watts depending on the location and size of roadway. The high mast lighting at interchanges uses 1000 watt HPS bulbs. Why are some highway interchanges lit with clusters of lights on very high poles, whereas other interchanges are lit with individual lights and poles? Often, high volume, urban interchanges are illuminated using “high mast” lighting structures which can have a number of 1000 watt bulbs. High mast lighting illuminates a large area, which makes them cost effective for interchanges. A cost benefit analysis is often used to show the advantages of using high mast lighting. Why do some of the larger tunnels on the provincial highway system seem to have higher lighting levels at the entrances to the tunnel and get darker as you drive further into the tunnel? Also, it appears there are more light fixtures turn on in the daytime than at night. Long tunnels are illuminated with multilevel lighting zones (usually three levels plus a nighttime level) to allow the eye to adapt from the outside light levels to lower light levels. At night, this adjustment isn’t required, and the nighttime level is lower than any of the daytime levels. Why is it difficult to see the light source in some street lights until you are almost directly beneath it? It is likely you are noticing the newer “flat glass” style street lights (luminaries) which illuminate the road with a very small upward component of light. This type of luminaire greatly reduces “skyglow” and is more efficient and less expensive than the older style of luminaire. Why doesn’t the Ministry use more traffic calming devices such as speed humps? Traffic calming techniques are gaining popularity with municipalities as a tool to slow and restrict traffic primarily in residential neighborhoods. The Ministry’s jurisdiction is primarily the provincial highway network with the emphasis on inter and intra provincial traffic. The Ministry’s mandate is to improve the traffic flow efficiency rather than restrict it, so traffic calming tools are usually only used at the municipal level.
Why are there grooves in the pavement along the shoulder of some highways?
Why is there concrete safety barrier on the shoulders of some roads and not on others? Also, why doesn’t the Ministry use the steel barrier like they do in Washington state? Concrete roadside barrier (CRB) is installed along the shoulder of highways where it is justified and where funding permits. Not all locations require CRB. Some of the criteria that is assessed when determining if CRB should be installed is: shoulder width, the slope of the ditch and volume of traffic on the highway. Generally – the steeper the shoulder, the narrower the shoulder, and the higher the traffic volumes – the more likely barrier will be justified. The steel “W” beam type of guardrail may be used on BC highways. However the preference is to use the concrete barrier, as it costs about the same to install as the steel “W” beam guardrail. The concrete barrier requires less maintenance after it is installed. Why doesn’t the ministry install more median barriers? Wouldn’t this help prevent head on collisions?
How much barrier is there on Ministry of Transportation roads? Approximately 2100 km.
Is bicycling allowed on provincial highways? Almost all of the provincial highways may be accessed by bicyclists. The only exception is urban freeways (portions of Highway 99, Highway 1 in the Vancouver area) where bicycling is prohibited for safety reasons. In these cases cyclist are required to use the parallel street network which ends in the same destination. Some segments of road may have narrower shoulders than what bicyclists desire. For further information on MoT’s cycling policy see our special section on this webpage at: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/popular-topics/cycling/bicycle.htm Why do bicyclist have to active the flashers before going into the tunnels on Highway 1 east of Hope? The series of tunnels on this segment of Highway 1 were designed and constructed decades ago to the standards of the day. They have very narrow shoulders and some of the tunnels are on a curve so it is difficult for motorists to see cyclists in the tunnel. The MoT is piloting an active warning sign sign to warn motorist to be more aware of the fact that a bicyclist may be present in the tunnel, and to proceed with extra caution. The rumble strips on the shoulders make bicycling difficult—is the MoT going to continue using them? Yes, as long
as there is adequate shoulder width for bicycling, MoT will consider
using shoulder rumble strips. Studies have indicated that where
rumble strips are in place, off-road accidents have been reduced.
Gaps will be left in the rumble strips on highway segments to allow
opportunities for cyclists to maneuver across the edge line to avoid
obstacles on the shoulder. Rumble strips are also terminated prior
to most driveways and intersections to allow comfortable turning
movement by cyclists. See the Q&A under “Safety”
for more information on this topic.
Where can I get general tourist information about B.C.? The ministry's Web site offers a link to Tourism British Columbia http://www.hellobc.com or use their toll free number 1-800-HelloBC (435-5622) for information on route options, stops of interest and accommodations. The Travel B.C. link http://www.travel.bc.ca/ offers additional information. Where can I get on-line information about highway routes and travel times? The ministry's Web site offers a distance query program to help you calculate the distance between many B.C. locations. This service can be accessed through the following link: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/bchighways/distances/calculator.htm There are also many commercial sites to consider. The following examples are not endorsed by the ministry but may provide some useful information: http://www.freetrip.com/cgi-bin/autopilot2.pl
Where can I get information about vehicle insurance, driving rules and regulations, road safety, commercial vehicles, and drivers' licences? The ministry’s Web site offers a link to the Insurance Corporation of B.C. I understand that British Columbia has some restrictions for pick-up trucks or recreational vehicles towing loads. What are they? Vehicle weight restrictions and towing requirements
fall under the jurisdiction of Compliance Operation at the
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC).
Highway Traffic and Road Conditions: Where can I get the latest highway condition information? Visit Drive BC. There are cameras set up to monitor traffic around the Lower Mainland. Can I see these images on the Internet? At the present time, the answer is no. There are cameras set up to monitor traffic on heavily-travelled routes like the Lions Gate Bridge, Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing, Massey Tunnel and Highway 1. These cameras are owned and operated by the Ministry, and are used to identify and quickly deal with traffic congestion and accidents. Currently, these cameras are not set up to transmit images to the Internet. How do I report potholes or other issues related to highway maintenance? To report the location of potholes or other highway maintenance issues, contact your local highway maintenance contractor. Refer to the government of B.C. listings under Transportation in the blue pages of your telephone book to obtain the 24-hour telephone number to call in your area. Comments about local or regional roads should be directed to the city or municipality involved. How can I participate in the Adopt a Highway program? In some locations around the province, local highway maintenance contractors work with community groups to clean up highway rights-of-way. To see whether or not this program is available in your area, please contact your local highway maintenance contractor, listed in the provincial sector of your blue pages of the telephone book. Also check out the Ministry of Transportation Adopt a Highway web pages: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/adopt-a-hwy/adopt-a-hwy_home.htm How do I make a claim for damage related to highway property or highway activity? Anyone in the province who wishes to file a claim, may do so by: Obtaining an H0050 (1998/03) NOTIFICATION
OF CLAIM form from any ministry district or regional office. The
H0050 claim form
can also be viewed and printed. Alternatively, potential claimants can submit a letter outlining the details of their claim, including their name, where and when the accident happened, if the accident was discussed with a ministry representative (if yes, please provide their name and telephone number). Describe any losses or damages sustained and whether police attended (if so, please provide a copy of the police report). In those instances where a claimant’s vehicle or another person’s vehicle was involved, please provide licence plate and insurance information. Please ensure the claimant’s address and telephone number is included with the claim to enable a ministry adjuster to contact you as soon as possible. Please fax or mail the H0050 form or your letter to: Claims Unit
Highway Construction Contract Information Where can I get information about the Ministry's Fax-on-Demand Service? Details about this service can be obtained through the following link: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/bchighways/contracts/contract.htm Where can I obtain information on contract opportunities or learn about how to secure contracts with the Ministry of Transportation? Details about tenders, contracts and bidding can be obtained through the following link: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/BCHighways/contracts/contract.htm
Wildlife Collisions How many wild animals are killed on British Columbia highways each year? Since 1993,
about 4,700 wild animals are reported killed on British Columbia
highways each year. What is the most common species of wild animal killed on British Columbia highways? In 2002, deer represented about 77% of the wild animals killed on British Columbia highways. Over the last 10 years, about 80% of wildlife collisions involved deer. When do most bear-related motor vehicle collisions occur? Bear-related vehicle collisions peak in September in the north parts of the Province and in October in the south parts. What does the Ministry of Transportation do to reduce wildlife-related vehicle collisions? The Ministry has the most comprehensive inventory of wildlife warning signs in the world. The inventory includes signs ranging from the more common wild animals, such deer and moose to rarer ones, such as badgers, bison and wild horses. With over 460 kilometres installed, British Columbia has more special fencing to protect wildlife than any other transportation agency in North America. The Ministry works closely with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (WLAP) on wildlife collisions. In 2000, the Ministry and WLAP were involved in the relocation of Roosevelt Elk from Highway 19, on the east side of Vancouver Island, to a safer location on the west side of the island. What should a driver do if there are wild animals on the side of the road? Slow down, and proceed with caution. Wild animals can be unpredictable. How many kilometres of wildlife fencing has the Ministry installed? The Ministry has installed a total of 467 kilometres of wildlife exclusion fencing. This represents the most wildlife exclusion fencing installed by any transportation agency in North America. How effective is wildlife exclusion fencing for reducing wildlife-related vehicle collisions? The fencing
is about 97% to 99% effective in reducing wildlife-related collisions
when the fencing is installed on both sides of highway.
Other Questions About the Ministry of Transportation: How can I find out about employment opportunities with the ministry? To learn about recruitment at the Ministry of Transportation, visit: Also, check the job openings advertised in the provincial government publication, "Postings," which is published every second Friday and is available from any provincial government human resources office, or on the Internet at: http://www.bcpublicservice.ca/postings/ Please note that auxiliary positions are not listed in "Postings." For details about short term positions or for openings that request on-line applications using the Applicant Inventory System, please refer to the recruitment access office Web site at: http://rao.gov.bc.ca/ I have a question about a legal Act, a Bill or other legislative material for British Columbia. Where can I get more details? One of the best sources for legislative information is the Legislative of Assembly of British Columbia Web site at http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/
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