Signs

Children Playing Signs

The standard playground sign (diamond shape; black on yellow, child chasing a ball) is only installed on municipal roadways that front public playgrounds. The effectiveness of playground signs is maintained when they are used only on roadways abutting public parks.

There is a concern that overuse of the playground sign (i.e. in residential neighbourhoods not adjacent to parks) might give a false sense of security to children and parents that the roadway has become a safe place, due simply to the presence of the signs. Such over-confidence can lead to accidents. There are other ways, such as small private signs on private property or toys and bikes left in the front yards, which can be used to remind motorists that they are in a residential area. These types of visual clues are most effective if they are constantly changing, and in that sense can be more effective than a static sign.

If a public roadway abuts a playground and there is not an existing playground sign, please provide us with the service request details. You may also forward a request in writing to the Roads and Transportation Division of the Engineering Department at (604) 946-3260 or e-mail engineering@corp.delta.bc.ca.

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Stop Signs

Stop signs are erected to regulate who has the right-of-way at an intersection. Stop signs are not an effective traffic calming device. Overuse of stop signs increases driver disregard for them, and the resulting unnecessary stopping and starting of traffic can lead to increased noise and air pollution.

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Three- or Four-Way Stops

Multi-way stops are established according to the criteria provided in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada. The guidelines include:

• The traffic volumes from all approaches are approximately equal and the combined pedestrian and vehicular volumes on the minor road averages 200 per hour for an eight hour period,
• Average delay on minor street exceeds 30 seconds (during peak hour), or
• Where traffic signals are not warranted, but where there are five or more collisions per year that are susceptible to correction by a multi-way stop.

Multi-way stops are also sometimes used as an interim solution prior to the installation of new traffic signals or as an interim step when the right-of-way at an existing two-way stop is going to be reversed to give the priority to the street which previously had the "Stop" control.

Written requests for multi-way stops should be forwarded to the Roads and Transportation Division of the Engineering Department for evaluation (by mail or engineering@corp.delta.bc.ca).

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Reduced Speed Signs

The statutory speed limit in Delta is 50 km/h unless otherwise signed. The speed limit for motor vehicles on a lane in Delta is 20 km/h.

The posted speed is determined by the road geometry and adjacent land use. The 30 km/h speed limit is normally confined to school and playground zones only.

While we sometimes receive requests to lower the speed limit in neighbourhoods, reducing the posted speed limit does not necessarily make the road safer for several reasons:

• Drivers often ignore an unrealistically low speed limit.
• An unrealistically speed limit often leads to many vehicles travelling at different speeds. This can lead to vehicle collision as a result of impatient drivers passing slow vehicles, or by pedestrians or cyclists becoming over-confident that all drivers will adhere to the lower posted speed.

When there is a significant variance in traffic speeds as a result of an unrealistically low speed limit and it is much more difficult for pedestrians (particularly children) to judge the gaps in traffic, resulting in more collisions.

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Resident Only Parking Signs

Delta currently has a limited number of "Resident Parking Only" zones. They are generally limited to areas that have a significant on-street parking demand (i.e. over 80% of the on-street parking spots), most of the time. Existing zones are around large multi-family complexes, major medical and/or professional buildings.

If you live in an area with Resident Parking Only zones, you must obtain an annual Highways Use Permit (annual fee $25 plus GST) and produce identification to document your residency prior to parking on the street. Contact the Engineering Department at (604) 946-3260 or engineering@corp.delta.bc.ca.

Resident Parking Permits are not transferable and are not available for guests. Consequently, Resident Parking Zones are often less than ideal in residential zones. If you have on-street parking concerns, routine enforcement, time-limited parking or some other option may be a more practical solution.

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