Driveway Snow Windrow RemovalDepartment of Public Works and ServicesSurface Operations Branch

Driveway Snow Windrow RemovalDepartment of Public Works and ServicesSurface Operations Branch

Transportation CommitteeFebruary 15, 2006

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AgendaAgenda Review of 2003 report

City of Ottawa – Current Service Levels and Winter Climate Metrics

Update to current situation Other municipalities Equipment Private Sector Capacity Weather

Brief Photo Tour

Summary and Possible Next Steps

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2003 Report Summary

2003 Report Summary

Other Cities Cities that did provide service all from southern

Ontario Most of these cities also transferred the burden of

residential sidewalk snow clearing to residents

Snow-Gate Pilot Ploughing speed reduced by half Parked cars blocked access by grader When the grader could manoeuvre to the

driveway, the device could not cradle new snow up and over existing snow bank especially in newer developments

Windrows from sidewalk ploughs not cleared Device dismissed as a solution

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Weather Ottawa twice as much snow as Toronto (part of the

amalgamated Toronto provides windrow service) Ottawa significantly colder than Toronto area

Estimated 2003 Cost - $21M Estimated 215,000 driveways in the City of Ottawa 200 residential plough beats city-wide 4 front-end loaders per plough beat for 2 hour gap

maximum (assumes unlimited availability) 10 plough runs per winter 1 hour per day stand-by

2003 Report Summary

2003 Report Summary

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Current Service LevelsCurrent Service Levels Residential Streets = 10 hours Residential Sidewalks = 12 to 16 hours

Winter Climate Metrics Average Annual Snow = 235 cm Days with > than 20 cm on ground = 51.7

(An indication of how harsh or moderate the climate)

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Update - Other Municipalities

Service Level Options

Update - Other Municipalities

Service Level Options1. Municipality clears ALL driveway windrows

2. Municipality clears windrows from driveways for seniors and those with disability

a) Tax supported city-wide; service provided to seniors and those with disability only

b) Service provided to seniors and those with disability based upon full cost user pay system

3. Municipality provides seniors and those with disability with financial assistance

a) Subsidy to seniors/disabled (flat rate or apply for subsidy based upon actual costs)

b) Snow Go Concept – City provides funding to Agency(s) from tax base for supply and delivery of

service

4. Municipality does not provide any form of windrow clearing

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Update - Other Municipalities Cont’d

Update - Other Municipalities Cont’d

1. Municipality clears ALL driveway windrows Oromocto (snow-gate) population 8,800

Avg. snow 252 cm; days with >20 cm = 55.9City responsible for sidewalk clearing

Vaughan (front-end loaders) population 178,000Avg. snow 115 cm; days with >20 cm = 5City responsible for sidewalk clearing. Roads plowed and windrows

cleared within 24 hours Winnipeg (front-end loaders) population 620,000

Avg. snow 111 cm; days with > 20 cm = 40.8City responsible for sidewalk clearing. Roadway plowing/windrow

removal takes 4 days Regina (snow-gate) population 182,000

Avg. snow 106 cm; days with > 20 cm = 36.2Residents responsible for sidewalk clearing (no by-law). 60 hours for

residential roadway ploughing

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2. Municipality clears windrows from driveways for seniors and those with disability.

Richmond Hill (within 48 hrs) pop 130,000Avg. snow 157 cm; days with >20 cm = 6.2City responsible for sidewalk clearing

Oshawa (begins next day) pop. 139,000Avg. snow 118 cm; days with >20 cm = 4.7Residents responsible for sidewalk clearing

Whitby (up to 30 hours) population 87,000Avg. snow 118 cm; days with > 20 cm = 4.7Residents responsible for sidewalk clearing

Oakville ($80/driveway) – pop. 145,000Avg. snow 133 cm; days with > 20 cm = 6.2Residents responsible for sidewalk clearing

Update - Other Municipalities Cont’d

Update - Other Municipalities Cont’d

Note: Costs of programs not yet available

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3. Municipality provides seniors and those with a disability with financial assistance.

Markham ($60/driveway) - population 209,000Avg. snow 133 cm; days with >20 cm = 6.2Residents responsible for sidewalk clearing if less than 7.5 cm

Brampton (up to $150) - pop. 325,000Avg. snow 133 cm; days with >20 cm = 6.2Residents responsible for sidewalk clearingReimbursed based on residents actual costs

Hamilton (assist in volunteer co-ord.) - pop 490,000 Avg. snow 162 cm; days with > 20 cm= 10.3 Residents responsible for sidewalk clearing. Similar to Snow Go concept

Update - Other Municipalities Cont’d

Update - Other Municipalities Cont’d

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4. Municipality does not provide any form of snow windrow clearing service.

Kitchener/Waterloo - population 227,000Avg. snow 160 cm; days with >20 cm = 17.9Residents responsible for sidewalk clearing.

London - population 337,000Avg. snow 202 cm; days with >20 cm = 15.9City clears snow from sidewalks

Edmonton - population 666,000Avg. snow 124 cm; days with > 20 cm = 41.7Residents responsible for sidewalk clearing

Fredericton - population 81,000Avg. snow 227 cm; days with > 20 cm = 55.9City clears snow from sidewalks

Update - Other Municipalities Cont’d

Update - Other Municipalities Cont’d

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No new advances in snow-gate technology

Snow-gate technology does not address windrow left by sidewalk ploughing operations

Municipalities that do clear windrows from driveways (either as a city-wide service or for seniors and those with a disability) mostly utilise equipment with buckets

Damage to driveway concrete tapers and driveway asphalt are a concern using bucket equipment

Update - EquipmentUpdate - Equipment

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• Previous $21 M a theoretical calculation for city-wide 1-2 hour service window with “unlimited” bucket equipment

• Current situation indicates that the private contractor community, currently does not have the capacity to meet city tender requirements for graders or bucket equipment

• Implementing a city-wide service would involve dialogue with the contractor community and a multi-year commitment to build capacity and ensure equipment availability

Update – Private Sector Capacity

Update – Private Sector Capacity

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Weather variability will continue to increase Ottawa is getting warmer and will experience more

precipitation Increased number of accumulative small events Increased freeze/thaw cycles with accompanying

moisture Average conditions are no longer average The freezing rain belt is moving to the north Expect prolong periods of freezing rain High intensity rain events are becoming more frequent Drought conditions are on the rise

Update – Weather Conditions

Update – Weather Conditions

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Weather variability is impacting winter operations. In order to remain within reach of centre-bare conditions on residential streets staff are required to:

Plough residential streets more frequently

Use salt on residential streets when warranted

Increase snow haulage and removal

Update – Weather Conditions

Update – Weather Conditions

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Typical Snow GraderTypical Snow Grader

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Snow Gate DeviceSnow Gate Device

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Woodroffe & Iris AreaWoodroffe & Iris Area

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Centrepointe AreaCentrepointe Area

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Centertown AreaCentertown Area

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Holland & Scott AreaHolland & Scott Area

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Sandy Hill AreaSandy Hill Area

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1. Municipality clears ALL driveway windrows2. Municipality clears windrows from driveways for seniors and those with disability

a) Tax supported city-wide; service provided to seniors and those with disability onlyb) Service provided to seniors and those with disability based upon full cost user pay system

3. Municipality provides seniors and those with disability with financial assistancea) Subsidy to seniors/disabled (flat rate or apply for subsidy based upon actual costs)b) Snow Go Concept – City provides funding to Agency(s) from tax base for supply and delivery of service

4. Municipality does not provide any form of windrow clearing

SummaryNo new Equipment Advances that can address Driveway Snow Windrows

Findings of Snow Gate Pilot are still valid

Other Cities have options that can address this issue

4 Service Level Options Exist:

Should Transportation Committee choose to alter current service levels the department would recommend option 3 or 4 for 2007 / 2008 implementation

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Next Steps Required to Implement

Service Level Option 3

Next Steps Required to Implement

Service Level Option 3 Build program frame work including eligibility

criteria, service providers, etc.

Establish costing

Liaise with Agencies

Report back to Transportation Committee with details

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Questions?Questions?

Thank you