Technical Bulletins

Priority Assessment for Wire Theft Deterrent Treatment for New Designs and Projects in the Construction Phase

Wire theft is a global problem. Wire theft from B.C. Ministry of Transportation electrical infrastructure can result in serious safety and financial ramifications.

The Ministry of Transportation, in partnership with our Electrical Maintenance Contractors, has been “hardening” infrastructure that has already experienced wire theft as well as other high risk locations. The concept of ‘hardening” deters wire theft by making if more difficult for unauthorized personnel to gain access to Ministry Electrical systems.

Due to the widespread occurrence of this criminal activity, it is recognized that Ministry electrical design and construction methods must be revised to include “hardening” measures to deter wire theft, especially in high risk wire theft locations.

Communication Conduit

The Ministry of Transportation plans to expand the existing Regional Telecommunications
Network (RTN) as detailed in the Regional Telecommunications Plan (2006). The Regional
Telecommunications Network is the conduit and fibre-optic backbone that connects together the
field devices, and Local Operations Centres to the Regional Transportation Management Centre
(RTMC). The various field devices include advanced technologies such as cameras,
Changeable Message Signs, and Weigh-in-Motion sites to improve the efficiency and safety of
the multi-modal transportation network.

The Ministry currently has part of the Regional Telecommunications Network built, but needs to
complete the missing links. It is most cost effective to install conduit as part of an existing
construction project rather than later on its own.

Traffic Signal/Railway Signal Interconnects

Transport Canada regulates railway crossing safety and has implemented the following standard; Railway Signal & Traffic Control Systems Standards 3. Railway Signaling Design Principles

• 3.1 Railway signal and traffic control systems shall be designed using fail safe principles.
• 3.2 Railway signal and traffic control systems shall, so far as possible, be arranged so that failure of any part of the system shall cause affected signals to give the most restrictive indications that the condition requires.
• 3.3 All control circuits, the functioning of which affects safety of train operation, shall be designed on the closed circuit principle.
• 3.4 Railway signal and traffic control systems shall be so interconnected that aspects to proceed cannot be displayed simultaneously for conflicting movements, except that opposing signals may indicate "proceed at restricted speed" at the same time for switching movements only.

This standard has been enacted to ensure traffic signals interconnected to railway signals do not conflict with train movements when any components of the systems fail (railway crossing signal, interconnection cables/components or the traffic controller). This will allow the traffic controller to clear traffic from the crossing prior to going into four way flash at the traffic light. This type of interconnection is to be implemented at all new or reconstructed interconnected traffic signals where the railway signal system will accept this type of interconnection.

Electrical, Signing and Marking Standard Drawing Sheet

Standard drawing sheets are used for all Ministry electrical, signing and pavement marking drawings. Electrical and Traffic Engineering Manual Section 703.1.1 references standard drawing sheet filename CBASE8.DWG. This drawing has been superseded by drawings eec_a.dwg and eecl_a.dwg

• EEC_A.DWG
• EECL_A.DWG

Fortis BC Service Connections for Traffic Signals

The Ministry of Transportation has not been required to install meters by Power Utilities for electrical services as loads have generally been definable and predictable. This arrangement served both parties well as meters and related equipment can be susceptible to vandalism and meter reading can be costly, especially in remote areas and challenging in high traffic areas. Furthermore the ministry has generally been diligent in advising Power Utilities of load changes.

As a result of inventory audits, Fortis BC has indicated that accounts for traffic signals are not as accurate as they would like, and have ruled that all new traffic signal installations shall have meters installed in advance of the service panels as noted in the attached Fortis BC Drawings M1 and M4

Use of Countdown Pedestrian Signals

This technical bulletin supersedes technical bulletin TE-2005-03 and is in addition to the information provided in Technical Bulletin TE-2005-02 regarding countdown pedestrian signals. Countdown pedestrian signals are a relatively new traffic signal device that can aid in the safe movement of pedestrian traffic. The devices are standard pedestrian signal enclosures with LED numerals that can be configured to count down from a present number of seconds to zero in 1 second intervals.

Traffic Signal Uninterruptible Power Supply Maintenance Standards

Further to Technical Bulletin TE-2006-1 concerning traffic signal uninterruptible power supply (UPS) policy, the Ministry has developed traffic signal UPS maintenance standards to ensure the proper operation and long life of these devices.

Traffic Signal Uninterruptible Power Supply Material Standards

Further to Technical Bulletin TE-2006-1 concerning traffic signal uninterruptible power supply (UPS) policy, the Ministry has revised the UPS and UPS cabinet materials standards to reflect current practices and requirements.

Initiation of Ministry of Transportation Cellular Communication Accounts

Although cellular technology has been increasingly been used as a communications method, the procedures for setting up Ministry accounts has not always been clearly defined. The intent of this technical bulletin is to clarify the procedures for setting up Ministry cellular accounts.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) at Signalized Intersections and at Traffic Control or Warning Devices Interconnected with Railways

Effective immediately;

1. Existing traffic signals will be prioritized by Regional Traffic Engineers and traffic signal UPS installed as annual rehabilitation funding allows.
2. UPS shall be added to all new traffic signal and railway interconnected traffic control and warning device specifications

Revisions to Electrical and Traffic Engineering Manual (December 2003)

The Ministry has revised Section 200 and the related Appendices 200.2, .3, and .4 of the Electrical and Traffic Engineering Manual to ensure there are documents guidelines available to ensure a consistent approach in preparing and submitting designs and data.

Cost Sharing Guidelines for Electrical Installations on Arterial Highways

The Ministry of Transportation cost shares in all warranted electrical installation on arterial highways. This technical bulletin summarizes the pertinent electrical cost sharing information taken from the document G 23/87 – Classified Highways – Part 3 Transportation Act. Responsibility and Cost Sharing Guide.

Clarification of the Use of Green Arrow Signal Displays on Traffic Signals at Interchanges

Traffic signal displays have historically had green balls to indicate that all legal movements are permitted. The new policy states that all new interchange signal designs shall use green arrows instead of green balls, where appropriate and all existing interchange signals shall be retrofitted with green arrows instead of green balls, where appropriate.

Supply of Pedestrian Pushbuttons

The Ministry of Transportation has historically supplied pedestrian pushbuttons for all Ministry "traditional delivery" electrical projects.
Effective October 1, 2005, all electrical projects being tendered or assigned shall have pedestrian pushbuttons and the cast aluminum housings with integral sign supplied by Contractors.

Lane Use Signs and Pavement Markings at Multi-lane Roundabouts

Lane use signs and markings are commonly used at intersections to provide positive guidance to motorists when the lane use is different from what normally would be expected. Multi-land roundabouts are relatively new on Ministry roadways. Lane use signs and pavement markings intended specifically for roundabouts can provide positive guidance to drivers as they approach and navigate the multi-lane roundabout.

Web Camera Design, Installation, and Commissioning Specifications

Web cameras are installed throughout the Province providing travellers with visual images or road conditions via the Internet. This bulletin and its attachments provide guidelines for the planning, design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of web cameras.

Use of Countdown Pedestrian Signals

This technical bulletin is in addition to the information provided in Technical Bulletin TE-2005-02 regarding countdown pedestrian signals. Countdown pedestrian signals are a relatively new traffic signal device that can aid in the safe movement of pedestrian traffic. The devices are standard pedestrian signal enclosures with LED numerals that can be configured to count down from a present number of seconds to zero in 1 second intervals.

Revisions to 2004 Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, Section 635

Revisions to Electrical and Traffic Engineering Manual

Revisions to Electrical and Traffic Engineering Manual

The Ministry has revised the items noted below to reflect changes brought forward since the publishing of the above manual. The items are:

		Section 400 – Figures:
			Figure 33 – PDF
			Figure 34 – PDF
			Figure 35 – PDF
			Figure 36 – PDF
		Appendix 200
			Ministry Electrical Design Acceptance Form – Word
		Appendix 500
			500.3–5.1 Hourly Mean Wind Pressures (In Pascals) for the Province of British Columbia – PDF
		Appendix 800
			Generic Electrical and Signing Special Provisions (part of contract) – Word
			Generic Electrical and Signing Special Provisions (stand alone) – Word
			Generic Addition Special Provisions 1 & 2 – Word

Designers shall be responsible for ensuring they are using the latest version of the generic electrical special provisions. This can be confirmed by contacting the Electrical Design Coordinator, Traffic and Electrical Systems Engineering, South Coast Region.

Contact:
Ross Casey, Senior Electrical Standards Technologist
Traffic, Electrical Highway Safety and Geometric Design Section
Engineering Branch
Phone: (250) 387–7688
Email: ross.casey@gems8.gov.bc.ca

TE-2002-04
TE-2002-04

Jan. 1, 2002
June, 2001