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Augusta Public Works
Standard Operating Policy
Date Created: 12/16/2024
Last Revision: 12/16/2024
Page 1 of 10
POL #: 0311
SECTION
Operations
NUMBER
0401
SUBJECT
Winter Maintenance
DEPARTMENT
Public Works
AUTHORITY
Public Works Manager
Policy
The responsibility for providing snow clearing, ice control and snow removal from the
Township's infrastructure of 206 km of roadways and six parking lots for Township
facilities rests entirely with the Public Works Department.
The Public Works Department is also responsible for:
-
Designing a Salt Management Plan
-
Establishing proper treatment rates for roadways
-
Designing plow routes
-
Ensuring availability of resources (owned or hired equipment, materials)
-
Ensuring proper up to date weather forecast services and condition monitoring
systems
-
Patrolling roadway conditions
-
Decision making to commence winter maintenance operations and activities as
necessary
-
Providing information in a timely manner when asked
-
Reviewing all relevant information to find best practices
The Public Works Department will strive, as practical, to provide safe and passable
winter road conditions for vehicular traffic within the Township of Augusta. The level of
service requirements defined in this policy will be followed, utilizing the resources
provided by the Township of Augusta and contractors.
The standards set out in this document are based on the current version of Ontario
Regulation 239/02, Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways and are
supported by procedures outlined in this Winter Maintenance Policy.
Directive
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to reduce the hazards of snow covered and slippery road
conditions to motorists and help support public access to all community facilities.
Definitions:
Ice - means all kinds of ice, however formed.
Augusta Public Works
Standard Operating Policy
Date Created: 12/16/2024
Last Revision: 12/16/2024
Page 2 of 10
POL #: 0311
Minimum Maintenance Standards (MMS) - Refers to Ontario Regulation 239/02
Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways, as amended. (May 3, 2018)
Representative Roadways - means roadways within the Township of Augusta that
have been identified as representative of road weather conditions.
Road Classifications - As defined by Ontario Regulation 239/02 (Minimum
Maintenance Standards) and may be amended from time to time and further identified
in the chart below. The Township's road network is comprised of local roads which carry
local traffic to UCLG County roads. These roads fall under class 4, 5, and 6 roads.
Classification of Highways Table
Average Daily
Traffic (number of
motor vehicles)
91-100 km/h
speed limit
81-90 km/h
speed limit
71-80 km/h
speed limit
61-70 km/h
speed limit
51-60 km/h
speed limit
41-50 km/h
speed limit
1-40 km/h
speed limit
53 000 or more
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
23,000 - 52,999
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
15,000 - 22,999
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
12,000 - 14,999
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
10,000 - 11,999
1
1
2
2
3
3
3
8 000 - 9 999
1
1
2
3
3
3
3
6 000 - 7 999
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5,000 - 5,999
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
4,000 - 4,999
1
2
3
3
3
4
4
3,000 - 3,999
1
2
3
3
3
4
4
2,000 - 2,999
1
2
3
3
4
5
5
1,000 - 1,999
1
3
3
3
4
5
5
500 - 999
1
3
4
4
4
5
5
200 - 499
1
3
4
4
5
5
6
50 - 199
1
3
4
5
5
6
6
0 - 49
1
3
6
6
6
6
6
Road Condition - means the condition of the roadway surface before, during and after
a winter storm event.
Significant Weather Event - means an approaching or occurring weather event with
the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the highways within the Township.
Substantial Probability - means a significant likelihood, more than 51 per cent.
Township - means the Township of Augusta.
Augusta Public Works
Standard Operating Policy
Date Created: 12/16/2024
Last Revision: 12/16/2024
Page 3 of 10
POL #: 0311
Winter Event - means the weather affecting roadways such as snowfall, blowing snow,
sleet, freezing rain, frost, or ice, to which a winter event response is required.
Winter Patrol - means field observation of weather and road conditions.
Winter Season - means the season (October 15 - April 15) when the Township of
Augusta normally performs winter roadway maintenance.
Procedure:
Road Patrolling
-
From October 15 to April 15, the standard is to monitor the weather, both current
and forecasted to occur in the next 24 hours, once every shift or three times per
calendar day.
-
The Township selects representative roads within its network (Appendix B) and
patrols these roads when winter weather is forecasted for such conditions as
snow accumulation, blowing snow and ice formation.
-
Patrolling a road consists of observing, by driving/monitoring as identified above,
and shall be performed by persons responsible for patrolling roadways, including
Roads Patrolman, Lead Hands, or individuals designated by the Public Works
Manager.
Declaration of a Significant Weather Event
-
The Township may declare a Significant Weather Event when an approaching or
occurring winter event has the potential to pose a significant danger to users of
Township roads.
-
The declaration for a Significant Weather Event and end of a Significant Weather
Event shall be the responsibility of the Public Works Manager or designate.
-
These declarations shall be communicated by:
o Posting a notice on the Township website and social media
o Issuing a press release or similar communication to internet, newspaper, or
radio media
o Notification to OPP, Fire, and Ambulance
-
In the event that a Significant Weather Event is declared by the Township:
o Weather should be monitored as described above.
o Resources will be deployed to address snow accumulation and/or ice
formation as deemed practical.
o The declaration will be rescinded when appropriate to do so.
o Snow accumulation and/or ice formation will be addressed as described
below.
Augusta Public Works
Standard Operating Policy
Date Created: 12/16/2024
Last Revision: 12/16/2024
Page 4 of 10
POL #: 0311
Snow Removal
-
Snow removal operations are typically conducted after plowing operations are
completed.
-
Snow removal areas consider public safety, snow storage capacity, on street
parking requirements, as well as vehicle volumes.
-
Snow removal resources will be deployed once the snowplowing requirements
have been met, and as availability of resources permits.
-
When requested by emergency services due to access concerns, resources will
be deployed as soon as practicable.
Roadways Plowing Operations
-
Plowing operations will begin as early as 4:00 a.m. and continue if needed until
6:00 p.m. No plowing operations will be conducted between 6:00 p.m. and 4:00
a.m. except for public safety or in extreme conditions.
-
Sand/salt operations will begin as soon as practical after becoming aware that
road conditions have become slippery and will continue until conditions are
relieved.
-
Salt and sand mix is applied on the return pass only.
-
Plowing operations will not exceed 13 hours as per the Highway Traffic Act,
Reg.4/93.
-
Plowing operations are broken down into 5 Plow Routes (Appendix C)
-
The combination plow/sander unit completes the assigned route in an average of
6 hours.
-
All plows are equipped with Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) equipment
providing the following information at any time:
o Vehicle Identification
o Location
o Time
o Plow up/down
o Wing up/down
o Application on/off
o Application rate
Augusta Public Works
Standard Operating Policy
Date Created: 12/16/2024
Last Revision: 12/16/2024
Page 5 of 10
POL #: 0311
Snow Accumulation
-
Paved Roads:
o The defined level of service is to have the center of a paved surface bare
within 16 hours after the completion of the winter snow event.
o Winter maintenance, consisting of plowing and salt/sanding will begin within
8 hours after the accumulation of 8 to 10 cm of snow.
o Sand/salt will be applied at a rate of 300 kg per 2-lane kilometer as required
on rural roads. This rate should increase based on weather conditions and
road temperatures. Rates can be increased to 500 kg per 2-lane kilometer.
-
Unpaved Roads:
o The defined level of service is to have snow packed conditions achieved
within 16 hours after the completion of the winter snow event.
o Winter maintenance, consisting of plowing will begin within 8 hours after the
accumulation of 8 to 10 cm of snow.
o When the surface has not completely frozen, snow accumulations less than
10 cm will not be plowed to protect the road surface.
o Sand/salt will be applied at a rate of 300 kg per 2-lane kilometer. This rate
should increase based on weather conditions and road temperatures. Rates
can be increased to 500 kg per 2-lane kilometer.
o Snow removal operations are typically conducted after plowing operations
are completed.
Ice Formation
-
Paved Roads:
o The defined level of service is to have the center of a paved surface bare
within 24 hours after the completion of a winter ice event.
o Sand/salt application will begin within 8 hours as practicable after becoming
aware that the roadway has become icy and will continue as practicable
until conditions are safe.
-
Unpaved Roads:
o Sand/salt application will begin within 8 hours as practicable after becoming
aware that the roadway has become icy and will continue as practicable
until conditions are safe.
o Ice blading (when required) will be used after the weather event has
concluded and when staff members become available.
Augusta Public Works
Standard Operating Policy
Date Created: 12/16/2024
Last Revision: 12/16/2024
Page 6 of 10
POL #: 0311
Reporting and Record Keeping
-
Winter Patrol reports will be submitted for filing and will provide the following
information:
o Date
o Patroller's name
o Truck number
o Weather report(s)
o Sand/salt used will be calculated when practicable
-
Winter Maintenance Plow Reports Pre-trip inspections will be submitted by the
operators for filing, and will provide the following information:
o Date
o Operator's name
o Truck number
o Start mileage
o Sand/salt used will be calculated when practicable
-
A review of reports and summary reports will be undertaken at the end of each
winter season to provide a basis for continuous improvement of the winter
operations practices and as required by the Township's Salt Management Plan.
Mailboxes
Mailbox provision, installation and maintenance are the sole responsibility of the owner.
Failure to provide access to and maintenance of mailboxes could result in the
suspension of service by Canada Post.
Winter Mailbox Policy
-
The Township does not provide snow removal for rural mailboxes and cannot
ensure access to mailboxes for mail delivery.
-
In all cases, mailboxes should be properly located and constructed to avoid being
damaged during snow removal operations. Decorative mailboxes which are
placed in the Township's right of way are done so at the owners' own risk.
-
If a rural mailbox and/or post are damaged by snow being discharged from
snowplows during snow removal operations, the Township is not negligent and is
not responsible for repairs.
-
If the mailbox and/or post is damaged by direct contact with the Township's snow
removal equipment, the Township will repair or replace the damaged items with a
standard mailbox and/or post only.
-
Determination of the responsibility for damage to a mailbox will be by the Public
Works Manager or designate. It shall also be at the Township's sole discretion as
to whether the damage can be repaired or replacement with new materials is
warranted.
Augusta Public Works
Standard Operating Policy
Date Created: 12/16/2024
Last Revision: 12/16/2024
Page 7 of 10
POL #: 0311
-
If determined to be the responsibility of the Township, the mailbox shall be
repaired or replaced with a new metal mailbox supported by a wooden post
which meets the standard as established by Canada Post. The Township
reserves the right to have a mailbox relocated if it is considered to obstruct traffic
or snow removal operations.
Restoration
During road winter operations, a certain amount of damage to Township and private
property may occur. If sod damage is sustained, it will be restored by the Public Works
department using topsoil and seed at the earliest availability of material and resources
(typically May). The owner of the property is responsible for maintaining the repaired
area.
Consequences of Non-Compliance:
Any workers failing to abide by written standards of this program will be subject to
discipline including and up to termination of employment.
Review Cycle:
The employer will review the policy and program annually or when changes in
legislation occur and adjust where necessary to ensure it remains effective.
Appendix:
Appendix A - Winter Patrol Report
Appendix B - Representative Roads Designated for Patrol
Appendix C - Winter Plow Routes
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of all Augusta Public Works staff to adhere to this policy.
_______________________________________
Public Works Manager, Augusta Township
Augusta Public Works
Standard Operating Policy
Date Created: 12/16/2024
Last Revision: 12/16/2024
Page 8 of 10
POL #: 0311
Appendix A - Winter Patrol Report
Weather
Clear
Time
Partly Cloudy
Time
Overcast
Time
Rain
Time
Snow
Time
Freezing Rain
Time
Fog
Time
Visibility: Good Fair Poor Time
Wind: Light Moderate Strong
Direction
Comments:
Ambient Condition
Winter Event Condition
Bare & Dry
Bare & Wet
Track Bare
Centre Bare
Snow Covered
Snow Packed
Drifting Snow
Ice Covered
Spot Ice
Black Ice
Frost
Slush
Highways Patrolled Record
Name
Time
From
To
Time
Date:
Patrolled By:
Hours of Work:
Start Shift:
Finish Shift:
Approved by:
Air Temperature:
Pavement Temperature:
Snow Accumulation:
Condition Codes:
✓ Acceptable
Needs Service
Time to be
recorded
using a 24-
hour clock
Augusta Public Works
Standard Operating Policy
Date Created: 12/16/2024
Last Revision: 12/16/2024
Page 9 of 10
POL #: 0311
Appendix B - Representative Roads Designated for Patrol
Augusta Public Works
Standard Operating Policy
Date Created: 12/16/2024
Last Revision: 12/16/2024
Page 10 of 10
POL #: 0311
Appendix C - Winter Plow Routes