Traffic Control

Speed limits on major roads are influenced by many factors, including:

• Roadway design
• Roadway classification
• Vehicle operating speeds
• Adjacent development
• Collision history
• Pedestrian activity
• Driveway spacing
• Location of signalized intersections

Staff program traffic lights by time of day and day of week to optimize traffic flows throughout Barrie.​ In addition to responding to the daily changes in traffic, Traffic Services routinely perform a comprehensive review of the timing at each traffic signal. This review considers the increased number of vehicles each year, changes to the roads, new roads, and traffic signals.

Flashing Traffic Signals

While signals are in ‘flash’, motorists are expected to treat them as an all-way stop. If this is an isolated incident and you do not see workers present, please contact Service Barrie with the intersection, time of day and description of the issue: 705-726-4242 or ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca.

Traffic Signals Timing near Construction Zones

Traffic Services modifies the signal timings where construction will last a long duration. The timings are modified to suit the construction but staff must always must be mindful of “Local Traffic,” pedestrians or other users that are permitted to enter and exit the Closed Construction Area (including the cumbersome and slow-moving construction vehicles). It is often not possible to turn the signal off or leave them green indefinitely.

Stop signs are designed to regulate vehicular and pedestrian ROW between two relatively equal roads with similar traffic volume. Ontario-wide criteria are used when evaluating the need for stop sign installation, including traffic volumes, collision history, intersection sightline visibility, and road geometry.

Stop signs installed in the wrong places for the wrong purpose usually create more problems than they solve. Download the all-way stop fact sheet to learn about common misconceptions and the community impacts of unwarranted all-way stops. 

Pedestrian crossovers were first installed in Barrie in 2021. Pedestrian crossovers are a type of traffic control that provide a way for pedestrians to cross the road easily and safely. They’re different from crosswalks because they'​re often at a stretch of road where there is no intersection. Pedestrian crossovers are located on Mapleview Drive East, Elmbrook Drive and Bell Farm Road. Learn the rules for pedestrian crossings.​

School zone fla​​shing signals are tied to school arrival and departure times and do not operate outside of those days/​times.​

Existing flashing speed limit signs must be covered when automated-speed enforcement cameras are active. See ASE Signage under Automated Speed Enforcement below for full information.

Pedestrian signals help pedestrians cross at intersections with traffic signals. The signal for pedestrians to walk is a white walking symbol. A flashing or steady orange hand symbol means pedestrians must not begin to cross. A pedestrian facing a walk signal may cross the road in the direction of the signal.

At a traffic signal, the major roadway will have a green signal display and walking man display forever until a vehicle hits the vehicle detector or the pedestrian pushes the button; at that time, the signal will change. This is to make the intersection more efficient and reduce delays for the majority of traffic, and is a typical practice for the minor roadway at traffic signals.

When a vehicle drives over the detector it sends a signal to the cabinet to change and provide roughly 10 seconds of green time; this time will extend if multiple cars arrive, adding 3 seconds to the timing for every vehicle approaching. When a pedestrian pushes the button, this switches, giving the maximum amount of pedestrian time available.

Forcing the pedestrian to push the button (as outlined on these signs at applicable intersections) guarantees the maximum amount of walking time to begin crossing on a fresh walking man display. If the signal came up automatically for the minor streets, it may be on for 5 seconds already so if the pedestrian begins to cross, he/she will not make it in time.

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In Barrie, ASE cameras are located in certain community safety zones. A community safety zone is an area designated through the Community Safety Zones By-law to identify it as a road segment of higher risk or concern. Certain Highway Traffic Act fines (including speeding) are doubled in community safety zones. Many community safety zones are located close to schools.

Community safety zones were identified for the ASE program based on data collected showing areas where drivers are regularly going over the posted limit. Two cameras are installed and will be rotated to different community safety zones every few months.

“Coming soon” warning signs must be installed for at least 90 days before the ASE cameras are activated, providing drivers with advance notice. "Testing" signs may be installed to inform drivers when cameras are being tested but are not yet actively enforcing the speed limit. “Municipal Speed Camera in Use" signs are installed only when cameras are active and tickets are being issued.

There is also a sign indicating how the speed limit can differ depending on the time of year, the day, and time of day—related to times when children are travelling to and from schools. This sign temporarily replaces the existing flashing lights to warn of a 40 km/h zone, which must be covered when cameras are active. The Government of Ontario doesn't permit speed limits that vary and flashing lights to be posted at the same time. A static speed limit sign allows a provincial offences officer to be 100% confident that the accurate speed limit was posted to advise drivers of the maximum speed, which helps ensure that the ASE regulation under the Highway Traffic Act (Regulation 398/19 Sec 3.1.6) can be fully met and that tickets can be issued.

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Cameras are rotated to different community safety zones every few months. “Municipal Speed Camera in Use" signs are installed when cameras are active and tickets are being issued.

Upcoming Locations (May 2024)

• Southbound on Leacock Drive near St. Mary's Catholic School
• Eastbound on Cundles Road East near St. Joseph's Catholic High School and Frere-Andre Catholic Elementary School

• The camera is triggered by a threshold speed; threshold speeds will not be disclosed.
• The ASE camera captures only still images of the licence plate. Video is not captured.
• The ASE camera is just as accurate at detecting speed as traditional speed measurement devices used by police.
• If a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit in an ASE area, the camera captures an image that is stored and reviewed by a provincial offences officer. 
• The ASE cameras capture licence plates of all vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit.
• The cameras are programmable and determine what speed zone is applicable at the correct time of the day. 

The ASE cameras capture licence plates of all vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit. The ticket will include the image taken by the ASE camera and an enlargement of the plate portion. It is mailed to the registered plate holder at the address on file with the Province. The ticket will arrive within 30 days after the violation occurs.

The penalty is only a fine. Tickets issued via ASE don’t result in demerit points.

Like speeding tickets issued by police officers, the fine will be based on how much the driver was exceeding the speed limit. Fines are set by the Ontario Court of Justice Chief Judge and listed in Schedule D Highway Traffic Act Speeding – Community Safety Zone. Fines are doubled in community safety zones, even if the violation occurred outside school hours.

Emergency vehicles must comply with the provisions of the Highway Traffic Act regarding exceeding the speed limit. According to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, section 128 (13) speed limits do not apply “to a police department vehicle being used in the lawful performance of a police officer’s duties.” Emergency circumstances would have to be proven (ie. call log or other documentation).

There are options for ticket payment or response to the provincial offence.

How the Funds are Used

• The municipality uses the funds from the fine payments to offset the costs of the ASE program (cameras leases, signs, Provincial Offences Officers, office and miscellaneous expenses).
• The victim fine surcharge portion is submitted to the Province like any other ticket offence.  The municipality retains any net fine revenue, after expenses. 
• If there is a surplus of revenue over expenses, these funds will be reinvested by the City back into the ASE program or other road safety initiatives. 

In 2017, Ontario authorized the use of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) in municipalities to address ongoing issues with speeding in school zones and community safety zones.

At the June 20, 2022 Council meeting, Barrie City Council approved a motion to implement an Automated Speed Enforcement Program in school zones and community safety zones. View the motion and staff report.

Please refer to the Traffic Calming Policy to learn about the City’s overall approach to traffic calming. 

As a next step to the 2021 road safety public consultation, City staff are working on a review of the City's traffic calming policy to develop a strategy in addition to traffic calming measures. This will include a review of posted speed limits within residential local roadways in consultation with Barrie Police Service. The review of the City's policy is scheduled to be complete by the end of Q1 2024.

Permanent speed cushions on City streets are located at these locations:

• Ward 1 – Cheltenham Road - West of Sydenham Wells
• Ward 2 – Codrington Street – 146/150
• Ward 3 – Hanmer Street East (resurfacing 2022) – 149/151
• Ward 4 – Hanmer Street West – 133/135
• Ward 5 – Pringle Drive – 51/61
• Ward 6 – Summerset Drive – 150/152
• Ward 7 – Mapleton Avenue – 12/14
• Ward 8 – Holgate Street –57
• Ward 9 – Loon Avenue – 88/90
• Ward 10 – The Queensway – 105/107

Considerations for Emergency Vehicles, Buses, and Plows

When speed cushions are placed properly, cars cannot straddle them but emergency vehicles with wider custom chassis can.

When determining the location of speed cushions throughout Barrie, transit routes are one of the considerations in the overall assessment. Where possible the City will not install speed cushions on transit routes. However, in a case where installation is deemed necessary for traffic calming, buses would slow down and approach the bumps just as a car would.

Like other vehicles, plows must reduce speeds over permanent speed cushions during winter maintenance activities on Barrie's roads. The slope is gradual, so plows can slide over the asphalt cushions and follow the contour without having the edges dig in. The City's Operations department has ensured the safety of staff and also confirmed there are no concerns regarding damage to municipal vehicles.

Temporary speed cushions are installed annually on select streets in early summer, and removed in the fall. 

View Latest Temporary Speed Cushion Locations

Flexible bollards are placed to narrow travel lanes and encourage motorists to slow down. They are used in two ways: 

1. To create lane narrowing features, flexible bollards are placed adjacent to the curb lane and on the centerline of the road.
2. To create curb bump outs, flexible bollards are placed adjacent to the curb.
    

View Latest Bollard Locations

Planters are placed to narrow travel lanes and encourage motorists to slow down. They are used in two ways: 

1. To create median islands, planters are placed on the centerline of the road.
2. To create curb bump outs, planters are placed adjacent to the curb.
    

To ensure motorist safety, associated traffic signs are installed with planters.

View Latest Planter Locations

Staff work alongside Ward Councillors and residents to determine exact radar speed board locations. These boards can be relocated throughout the year to help staff analyze traffic data and notify motorists of their speeds.

View Current Radar Speed Board Location Info 

Radar speed boards provide a visual queue to educate motorists to help reduce their operating speeds. Statistics gathered from Barrie’s radar speed boards show that vehicle speeds are reduced by an average of 6–10 km/hr in areas where the boards are present. 

The radar speed boards also allow staff to collect information regarding vehicle speeds and daily traffic volumes. This data can then be used to provide detailed information to assist in recommendations to address operational and safety concerns. This information and data can be provided to Barrie Police Service regarding peak hours for evidence-based enforcement to help increase efficiencies. 

If you have speeding concerns in your neighbourhood, these can be reported via Barrie Police Service’s online reporting tool. 

Staff monitor 60" screens displaying real-time information on traffic signals at major intersections. The software indicates whether traffic signals are functioning properly; crews are dispatched to repair malfunctioning signals.

Remotely-performed daily diagnostic checks on traffic signal equipment indicate disruptions in signal pattern (i.e. a fire truck overriding signal timing or a lightning strike), for which crews are dispatched to repair.

Real-time traffic-flow data, collected by GPS technology in City vehicles, are regularly collected and compared with previous results. Signal timing adjustments are made if necessary.  

Traffic signals are timed to move the maximum number of vehicles through an intersection and along a corridor in the safest and most efficient manner. Many factors add to the difficulty of minimizing stop-and-go traffic in all directions: closely spaced signals; intersections where major streets cross; changes in traffic volume; traffic collisions; emergency vehicles; roadwork; and weather.

Please note: BFES vehicles have the ability to change the signal to green or hold the green. This can disrupt timing patterns for up to 10 minutes after a fire vehicle has left the intersection.

The City’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide information including Traffic Counts, Road Services and Road Closures (click 'Map Content" on the upper left toolbar of Discover Barrie to change the information displayed).

If you would like more specific information, please contact Service Barrie: 705-726-4242 or ServiceBarrie@barrie.ca.

Traffic signals are not intended to be used as a speed control device, but rather a guide for drivers and pedestrians traveling through intersections and along roads.

Stops signs are not intended to be used as a speed control device. Extensive stop sign use tends to frustrate motorists which may result in low stopping compliance and increased mid-block vehicle speeds.

Requests for road signs and/or signals are to be directed to the ward councillor. Please email your councillor to express interest (see Council contact information).

Councillors may provide direct motions through the Clerk's Office for consideration of City Council, due to the amount of staff time required to complete and implement requests.

Please note that all new signal or sign installations are subject to the Province of Ontario’s signal justification process. Several criteria are reviewed when determining if a new signal or sign is justified, including one or more of the following:

• All-way stops
• No parking
• New traffic signals
• New pedestrian crosswalks/pedestrian signals
• New advanced arrows at signalized intersections
• New speed limits / community safety zones
• Intersection traffic volumes
• Delay to cross traffic
• Collision history
• Pedestrian volume
• Pedestrian delay

Requests for speed calming measures should be directed to your ward councillor. Please email your councillor to express interest.

If you have speeding concerns in your neighbourhood, these can be reported via Barrie Police Service’s online reporting tool.

The Ministry of Transportation determines crossing locations at ramp terminals. The City re-paints these crossings annually. Learn more about line painting.