Team

The Transportation and Operation Services department is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team who provide professional works co-operatively to meet and deliver on the needs of the community:

• Director – Joseph Reid
• Outdoor Operations – Manager, Supervisors, Project Manager, Inventory Control, Skilled Operators, Operators, Mechanics, Gardiners, Arborists, Traffic Techs, Casual/Seasonal Labourers (90)
• Transit Operations – Manager, Supervisors, Dispatch/Clerks, Bus Operators, Temporary Bus Operators (47)
• Administration Services -Coordinator, Customer Service Representatives, Administrative Assistants (9)
• Crossing guards (33)

Responsibilities

The Transportation and Operations Services department is responsible for the operations and maintenance of roads, forestry, parks & open Spaces, fleet services and transit services. The department is comprised of approximately 180 staff who are essential for the effective and efficient operation of the City and providing key services that directly impact the lives of all residents and the greater community.

The core infrastructure maintained by the Department comprises a significant part of the City’s assets, including all roads, traffic, parks and playgrounds. The department also supports all City departments in various ways, from winter maintenance to setting up for civic and public events.

Governance

Municipal guiding documents and plans as well as legislation that govern the work of the Transportation & Operations Services department:

• Municipal Act – Governs the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Municipality.
• Municipal Maintenance Standards O Reg. 239/02 (Ont. Reg 239/02 as amended) – Provides minimum maintenance standards for maintaining roads and rights-of-way within the municipality.
• Parkland and Recreational Master Plan (City of Belleville PRMP) – Guides municipal investment to enhance the City’s public park system, including land acquisition, development/ redevelopment, community use, and funding over the next 10 years.
• Asset Management Plan (City of Belleville Asset Management Plan) – Utilized to effectively manage and derive value from existing and newassets to deliver services at expected levels to the community.
• Transit Operational Master Plan – Guides the service and operations planning that will meet the near-term future needs of Belleville.
• 2021 Roads Needs Study – A guiding document for road maintenance activities and capital investments.
• Highway Traffic Act/Ontario Traffic Manual (HTA and Ontario Traffic Manual) – Provides guiding requirements to the municipality for traffic safety within the community.

Trends

Legislative/Governance

Asset Management: With O. Reg 588/17 Municipalities are increasingly focusing on asset management systems to maintain and upgradetheir infrastructure efficiently. This involves the use of technology for predictive maintenance, data analytics, and life cycle planning tooptimize resources and extend the life of assets.

• With recent court decisions, it seems that Municipal Liability increases in case law. Rulings appear to be increasing a municipality’s risk exposure, which will also increase the cost for construction projects and municipal service delivery.
• Changes to the Minimum Maintenance Standards will likely be presented to the Ontario Legislature in 2025. This will have an impact on levels of service within the community and we must be prepared for any changes. Active Transportation is at the forefront of discussions.
• Emerging trends and initiatives around Rural Road Safety. Since 2020, Ontario’s road safety performance has been going backwards. During this time, the number of collisions, injuries and deaths occurring on the province’s roads has increased.
• Transportation & Operations Services Department — 97
• Community Engagement and Transparency is an emerging trend in the public works industry. Enhancing transparency in operations and engaging with the community to prioritize maintenance projects and involving citizens in decision-making can improve public support for funding solutions.
• Federal Government Policy statement on our committed to achieving net-zero emissions by the year 2050; Federal Government adopted the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. This will have significant impacts on the City’s Transit Fleet.

Economic

Workforce Development is an issue across the province and includes issues in recruiting and retaining public works staff, including casual/seasonal labour. There’s a need for a skilled workforce equipped with know-how and work to manage and operate municipal infrastructureand equipment. Training programs and initiatives aimed at upskilling the public works department staff are being developed.

• Viability and financial sustainability of community groups is concern.
• Immigration Policy statement from Federal Government is having an impact across the region, increasing numbers of international students are putting pressure on the City’s public transit service.
• As we see financial household pressures, we are likely to see more demand for public transit.
• Homelessness is creating pressures for operation staff with ongoing clean up and additional needs for security services.

Technology

• It is important for municipal public work departments in Ontario to continuously evaluate and adopt innovative technologies that align with their objectives, budgets, and community needs.
• Trends around traffic management and implementing smart traffic management systems; using technologies like adaptive traffic signals,traffic sensors, and AI-based systems to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety.