Snow Control

2012-2016
Business Plan
Summary
Program
Transportation Services
Service grouping
Roadways
Service
Snow Control
Type
Public Service
Owner:
John Parsons, Division Manager, Transportation & Roadside
Operations, Planning, Environmental & Engineering Services
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Strategic Priority
Financial & Staffing
Progressive Transportation System
In $000s
2010 A ctua l
2011 R evised
Budget
Operating budget
Purpose
Expenditure:
To provide safe, clear mobility on roadways and
sidewalks in periods of inclement climate
conditions (winter) to the citizens, businesses and
community at large while meeting the Minimum
Maintenance Standards (MMS) contained within the
regulations of the Ontario Municipal Act.
Non-tax revenue:
Net (tax
supported):
Capital budget
13,713
12,301
679
315
13,034
11,986
2010 R evised 2011 R evised
Budget
Budget
15
50
15
50
46.0
46.0
1.84
1.67
78.60
71.37
Expenditure:
Non-tax revenue:
Net (tax
supported):
Staffing FTEs:
Percentage of
expenditures
budget (all rate
sources):
Annual per
household cost of
net budget ($):
Key processes
Sidewalk Snow Removal Within Road Right of Way
This group is responsible for snow clearing services on sidewalks within the road
right of way and connecting walkways.
Bus stop clearing is provided on behalf of the LTC and funding is recovered
within this business unit.
Outsourced
percentage
30%
%
Roadway Snow Removal
Snow Control Operations is responsible for road plowing service levels based on
provincially prescribed standards.
Main roads are treated when the depth of snow reaches 2.5 cm and local streets
are treated when the depth of snow reaches 10.0 cm.
Outsourced
percentage
50%
%
Priorities are set out in the regulations and are based on traffic volumes and
road speed.
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Snow Control
Salting/Sanding and Anti Icing Roadways
Salt is used to treat main routes which represent 40% of the entire road
network.
Local streets are sanded at intersections, curves and hills.
Outsourced
percentage
60%
%
Anti icing is a proactive step that is used on major routes to prevent snow and
ice from bonding to the road.
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Regulatory/Policy landscape
Service
Delivery method
Discretionary
Legislative
New council direction, new regulations, legislative changes
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Current state of this service
Service delivery for Snow Control is dependant on conditions experienced each year. The
2010/2011 record setting number of snow incidents, although challenging, were managed and
generally the delivery of this service within standards was successfully met. A challenge is to
manage the public's understanding and expectation of the snow service standard. The public
should expect, at a minimum, that the snow service standard be maintained, but in unusual
snow incidents the service standard may be compromised.
An existing constraint is the ability to meet the expectations of the Public to clear sidewalks.
With winter conditions and the length of sidewalks that needs clearing it is not possible to
clear sidewalks to bare condition. This is notwithstanding additional budget funding provided
in 2010 intended to enhance sidewalk plowing.
Council provided an additional $400,000 to enhance sidewalk clearing in 2010. This allowed
for additional passes and more frequent sanding and 'windrow' removals at intersections.
Service delivery risks include our dependence on and availability of outsourced resources and
equipment. The tender process does not always provide the preferred equipment. Also, in
situations such as frequency of snow incidents and the volume of snow, the ability to maintain
the minimal standards is at risk.
As demonstrated this past winter secondary outcomes of a harsh winter is the impact on
public property. Sod damage becomes a public concern.
Council in past years has recognized the need to increase the snow control budget to meet
the yearly cost averages and to ensure that service standards can be attained. A Severe
Weather Reserve has been established to address the fluctuating conditions. In years where
conditions require less budget, surplus funding has been allocated to the reserve to provide
for the unusual and above average years.
The service draws strength from its use of the latest materials, equipment and methods in
snow control.
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Recent enhancements to economy, efficiency and effectiveness
The housing of exposed winter sand stockpiles at the Adelaide Operations Centre to contain
sand/salt runoff.
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Snow Control
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Future direction of this service
In 2012 a strategy to achieve the corporate target approved by Council will be required
through a rigorous evaluation of options for service changes. Budgets will need to be
reviewed to identify cost containment, efficiencies and possible revenue opportunities. This
may include the return to the previous sidewalk snow removal standard.
Future evaluation is required to analyze historic statistics for storm frequencies, related costs,
MMS compliance, growing road network, rising fuel/equipment costs and the association to
the cost savings anticipated with lower standards or service elimination.
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Objectives next 4 years
Winter Materials Storage
To expand our winter materials storage capacity so that we are not faced with inventory
shortages that have occurred intermittently over the past few years. The new dome at the
Exeter Road Operations Centre and Oxford St work yard has helped achieve in part this
objective. Future building at Adelaide work yard is proposed in the Facilities budget to
complete the objective.
Expected completion year Division responsible
2016
Transportation & Roadside Operations
Actions
Secure budget
Outcomes and measures
Winter service levels are met. Better pricing for salt by buying in the off-season and storing.
Performance Objectives / Cost Analysis and Council Report
Undertake an analysis of cost reduction strategies and related service level implications for
Council's consideration.
Expected completion year Division responsible
2012
Transportation & Roadside Operations
Actions
Using external auditors or other appropriate resources, analyse historical statistics for
frequency of storm occurrences, related event costs, Minimum Maintenance Standard
compliance, growing road network and equipment/fuel cost trends. Evaluate the cost savings
associated with lower standards and service elimination. Evaluate possible changes in
collisions, delays and other risks.
Outcomes and measures
Completion of the analysis and a report to Council which will provide information on potential
cost saving strategies and service levels.
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Emerging issues and challenges
Budget Constraints
Financial constraints and unpredictable winter incidents impact the delivery of snow control
service. Labour, equipment and materials cost and the size of road network continue to
increase. Short term service reductions may be required to meet the economic challenge until
a decision is made about long term service levels (see 2012 objective) and may include:
Reduced service response that will impede meeting the service standard as well as increasing
customer inquiries and public delay costs.
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Snow Control
Return to previous sidewalk plowing standard thereby releasing the $400,000 budget funding
for enhanced sidewalk plowing.
The preferred plan is to use the reserve fund to balance 2012 actual needs over a zero
budget increase, if required, until service level changes are decided upon in 2012.
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2012 - 2016 Service changes with financial impact (+/-)
Return to previous sidewalk plowing standard thereby releasing the $400,000
budget funding for enhanced sidewalk plowing
Objective
To meet corporate target
Implementation year
Target year
Funding type
2012
2012
Ongoing
Budget Implications
in $000s
Operating budget
Year 1:
Year
Gross
Expenditure
2012
Non -Tax
Supported Revenue
Net Budget
(Tax Supporte d)
-400
-400
Year 2:
0
Year 3:
0
Ongoing annual:
Beginning year
2013
-400
-400
Capital budget
Year 1:
0
Year 2:
0
Year 3:
0
Future years:
Beginning year
0
Comments
Council, in the 2010 Budget, approved an additional $400,000 budget to enhance sidewalk
plowing by targeting specific sidewalk winter clearing measures. Administration
recommended the additional budget increment be declined , it being noted that substantially
greater investment would be necessary for meaningful improvement.
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Statistics and performance measures
A Activity measures
Description of measurements
Number of Event-Days for Winter
Roadway Maintenance
2005 Actuals
2006 Actuals
2007 Actuals
89
2010 Expected
50
2013 Forecast
85
2010 Actuals
118
2014 Forecast
85
2011 Forecast
85
2015 Forecast
85
2008 Actuals
96
2009 Actuals
66
2012 Forecast
85
2016 Forecast
85
Comments
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Snow Control
B Efficiency measures
Description of measurements
Cost of Snow Control ($/Lane Km)
(OMBI 903M)
2005 Actuals
2006 Actuals
2010 Expected
2010 Actuals
2,010
2,800
2013 Forecast
2,964.20
2014 Forecast
2,800
2,800
2007 Actuals
2008 Actuals
2,867
2011 Forecast
3,280
2,521
2012 Forecast
2,800
2015 Forecast
2009 Actuals
2,800
2016 Forecast
2,800
2,800
Comments
Variation due mostly to weather patterns.
Description of measurements
2005 Actuals
2006 Actuals
Cost of Snow Control ($/Capita)
22
2010 Expected
2010 Actuals
30
2013 Forecast
36
2014 Forecast
32
32
2007 Actuals
2008 Actuals
31
38
2011 Forecast
2012 Forecast
33
32
2015 Forecast
2016 Forecast
31
31
2009 Actuals
30
Comments
Stable budget (zero increase) in relation to population growth is assumed.
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C Effectiveness/Quality/Satisfaction measures
Description of measurements
Snow Response (% of standards
met)
2005 Actuals
2006 Actuals
2010 Expected
2010 Actuals
97.2
100
2013 Forecast
100
95
2014 Forecast
100
2007 Actuals
2008 Actuals
98.3
97.8
2011 Forecast
2012 Forecast
100
100
2015 Forecast
2016 Forecast
100
100
2009 Actuals
100
Comments
Assumed standard is met, until results of 2012 service level review is completed.
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Snow Control