Ministry of Transportation Business Plan 2001-2002

Contents

• Message from the Minister
• Ministry Vision
• Core Businesses
• Key Achievements for 2000-2001
• Key Commitments and Strategies for 2001-2002
• Key Performance Measures
• 2000-2001 Ministry Spending by Core Business - Interim Actuals*
• 2001-2002 Ministry Approved Allocations by Core Business- Plan*
• Who to Call

Message from the Minister

Ontario's transportation system continues to drive Ontario's economy forward into the 21st century.

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) manages $27 billion in highway assets. Our 16,500 kilometre highway network is recognized as the second safest in Canada, the fourth safest in North America. Since 1995, more than $5 billion has strengthened and improved Ontario's highway infrastructure; a further transportation investment of nearly $1 billion is planned by the end of this year. Strategic partnerships with the private sector will also result in investment and construction.

A safe, efficient and integrated transportation infrastructure supports economic investment, spurs job creation, preserves the environment and contributes to a better quality of life. I look forward to building on Ontario's transportation success story of the past five years so that the government's vision for the future is fulfilled.

MTO is taking the steps necessary to plan for the future of transportation in Ontario, in step with the made-in-Ontario Smart Growth strategy recently announced in the Speech from the Throne and the Ontario Budget. Working with the Ontario SuperBuild Corporation and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, we are determined to achieve the promise of Smart Growth - that the province will be served by the transportation system it needs as it continues to grow over the next 20 years.

Please read the MTO 2001/02 business plan. It will inform you about the directions we are taking to keep Ontario on the road to economic prosperity.

The Honourable Brad Clark
Minister of Transportation

Top of page  

---

Ministry Vision

The Ministry of Transportation is at the helm of a dynamic vision and direction for the future of transportation in this province. With this vision, we are building on a transportation infrastructure that supports our economic, environmental and community goals.

Continued growth is expected in Ontario over the next 20 years, fostered by a more effective, efficient transportation system. The way ahead through transportation is new business investment, job creation and economic development. It's also safer travel, stronger communities, a healthier environment and a high quality of life.

MTO Working Hard to Achieve this Vision

• Moving ahead with major long-range transportation plans based on the government's Smart Growth strategy. The plans focus on developing new highway corridors, improving present corridors, and preserving the natural environment.
  
  
• Working with the Ontario SuperBuild Corporation and other partners in government and the private sector to build a better Ontario transportation system at the best value for taxpayers.
  
  
• Keeping Ontario's highways in a good state of repair.
  
  
• Promoting road user safety in Ontario by setting standards and encouraging better driving through legislation and regulations.
  
  
• Using technologies that make Ontario's highways safer for travellers.
  
  
• Enhancing electronic systems that provide services to the people of Ontario.

Top of page  

---

Core Businesses

Smart Growth Guides Transportation Policy and Planning

Ministry of Transportation planning supports the government's Smart Growth strategy. Its purpose is to ensure that Ontario has the transportation system it needs to support economic development and the growth of strong communities over the next 20 years.

MTO will continue to plan Smart Growth projects with the Ontario SuperBuild Corporation, the largest infrastructure building program in Ontario's history. This planning continues to involve other governments, industry partners, municipal associations and the private sector.

MTO also evaluates and monitors social, economic and technology trends. This activity contributes to the development of policies and planning for Ontario's transportation system.

Road User Safety Always a Priority

MTO sets safety standards and develops policies, legislation and regulations affecting everyone who uses Ontario's roads – motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

The ministry educates the public about road user safety and evaluates the effectiveness of safety measures. It inspects commercial carriers, enforces compliance with safety standards, tests and licenses drivers and registers vehicles.

Ontario's growing economy has generated record numbers of drivers and vehicles on our roads. There are more than 8.1 million drivers, 9.1 million vehicle registrants, 74,000 commercial carriers and 2,600 commercial clients.

Ongoing consultation with a variety of private and public sector organizations helps the ministry to deliver safety programs and services.

Managing Ontario's Highways

MTO manages and maintains over 16,500 kilometres of highway, and more than 2,500 bridges.

Key Responsibilities

• Planning and designing highways, environmental assessments, building new highways, rehabilitating existing highways to increase their efficiency and safety, and ongoing highway maintenance.
  
  
• Developing standards, operational guidelines and policies relating to highways.
  
  
• Researching and introducing new technologies for more effective highways management.

In addition to Ontario's highway network, MTO supports ferry operations at eight locations in southwestern, eastern, northwestern and northern Ontario through services and financial support. It also operates and maintains 29 remote airports, which ensure access to remote communities.

Areas of northern Ontario without municipal organization receive technical assistance and support for the design, construction and maintenance of roads and bridges from the ministry.

Top of page  

---

Annual Report on Key Achievements for 2000-2001

Road user safety was a key priority of the Ministry of Transportation during the year. Ontario continued to be recognized as the fourth-safest jurisdiction in North America.

MTO took a lead role in a variety of initiatives focused on reducing aggressive driving and boosting safety in Ontario communities and on our highways.

An agreement to harmonize vehicle weights and dimensions was reached with the Province of Quebec. The agreement removes the differences in size and weights of tractor trailers that commonly operate between Ontario and Quebec, providing for more stable, safer vehicles.

MTO continued to enforce the province's tough bus and truck safety laws. More than 79,000 commercial carriers were inspected.

An unprecedented $1-billion was dedicated to expanding and rehabilitating Ontario's transportation network in projects funded by MTO and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. The funds were used to repair existing highways, reduce congestion on major highways in urban areas and along international trade corridors, and to expand the province's routes to the north.

The provincial highway network will achieve approximately 92 per cent Optimal State of Repair in 2001. Optimal State of Repair is a measure of the highway pavement condition across the province. A 100 per cent Optimal State of Repair is achieved when two-thirds of highway pavements are in good condition and the balance are scheduled for rehabilitation in the next five years.

In 2000/2001, MTO reached its goal of having the entire highway network maintained by the private sector. Ministry staff continued to closely monitor the work of all contractors to ensure the province's high standards were met. A new performance evaluation rating system was also introduced to consider the past performance of consultants when selecting them for future assignments. As well, the Maintenance 2001 initiative completed its fifth season, piloting and testing innovative technology, equipment and techniques to help ensure safe highways for all road users.

The ministry implemented a number of new best practices in engineering and construction. Notable examples were a new Life Cycle Costing approach for freeway pavements, a new bridge code, a Value Engineering Program, and a new bridge corrosion protection strategy using high- performance concrete and stainless steel reinforcing.

Transportation planning continued to prepare Ontario for dramatic population growth and to foster further economic progress, guided by the government's Smart Growth strategy. The ministry started major highway studies to identify new highway corridors and improve corridors now in use. Examples are the Niagara needs assessment; the extension of Highway 427; a ring road in Ottawa, and a Highway 404 extension and Bradford bypass.

The ministry maintained the records of licensed drivers and registered vehicles. The 8.1 million drivers and 9.1 million registered vehicles in Ontario during the year represented an increase of approximately 10 per cent from 1999/2000. Approximately 266,000 new drivers entered the graduated licensing program; 203,800 drivers successfully exited the program and received full driving privileges.

Customer service and efficiency were improved with a variety of changes at the ministry's 53 Driver Examination Centres and 281 independent driver and vehicle licence issuing offices throughout Ontario.

Ontario continued its leadership in developing state-of-the-art technology used in the management of transportation systems. A notable example is the COMPASS traffic management system used in the Greater Toronto and Ottawa areas.

MTO led a trade mission to the 7th World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems in Turin, Italy. Ontario's expertise was shared with other countries looking for technology-based traffic management solutions.

Top of page  

---

Key Commitments and Strategies for 2001-2002

Smart Growth Inspiring Transportation Choices

MTO strategic planning supports the government's Smart Growth commitment to build a stronger economy, stronger communities and a safer, healthier Ontario.

Future Improvements to Ontario's Transportation System

• Supporting the development of modern international gateways at the Windsor and Niagara borders.
  
  
• Planning new highways and highway expansions including the completion of Highway 407 East to Highways 35 and 115.
  
  
• Developing innovative financing and public/private partnership solutions for new highways and highway expansions.
  
  
• Investigating ways to improve traffic flow and its resulting impact on air quality.

Fostering a Favourable Investment Climate

Increasing competition and globalization require important decisions to sustain a favourable investment climate. Attention is necessary to identify and remove barriers that restrict business.

Enhancing Investment

For example, MTO will:

• Support more investment in the province by streamlining the process for driver licence reciprocity;
  
  
• Push to increase safety of commercial vehicles used to transport people and goods by proposing changes to legislation that would promote harmonized truck weights and dimensions, a competitive industry and safe highways.

Keeping Road Safety a Priority

Ontario's highway network is rated as the fourth safest in North America. However, there's a continuing need to focus on aggressive and unsafe driving practices, and reduce impaired driving.

Keeping Safety First

• Continue a comprehensive safety program designed to reduce road collisions and target problem road users. Changes are planned in areas such as seat belts and child restraints, off-road vehicles, aggressive drivers, convictions and driver records, ineligible drivers and licence suspensions.

Providing Better Service Through Technology

MTO manages the largest direct service delivery network in the government. In 2000/01, over 26 million service transactions generated approximately $930 million in non-tax revenue. Driver, vehicle and commercial carrier systems, with more than 100 million records, are continually accessed by other jurisdictions for enforcement purposes. More drivers than ever are using Ontario's transportation system. The demand is expected to increase.

Technology Strategies for Improving Customer Service and Managing Transportation

• Implement a comprehensive plan to provide electronic transactions that are more efficient and more convenient for the public, and to ensure more efficient use of ministry information.
  
  
• Consider Intelligent Transportation Systems technology when planning and improving highways to aid traffic flow, promote safety and benefit the environment.

Being Innovative in Service Delivery

MTO is committed to meeting the government's priority of working smarter and faster when serving its clients.

Better, Quicker Service

• Working with SuperBuild on innovative approaches to developing Ontario's highway infrastructure.
  
  
• Looking for private sector expertise to sustain quality service in driver examinations.
  
  
• Responding to increased public demand for access to services by implementing an enhanced electronic service delivery capability.
  
  
• Renewing and strengthening partnerships with the private sector for engineering, construction and maintenance services.

Honouring Ontario's Environmental Values

The Ministry of Transportation strongly supports Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights, which exists to ensure that the natural environment of the province is protected. The ministry's Statement of Environmental Values will continue to guide planning and decision-making along with other economic, social and scientific considerations.

Top of page  

---

Key Performance Measures

Transportation Policy and Planning

Goals/Outcomes	Measures	Targets/Standards	2001-2002 Commitments
Transportation system is reliable, efficient, accessible and integrated	% of population living within 10 km of major provincial highway corridors	Target: 90%	Ensure at least 90% of population has access to major provincial highway corridors.

Provincial Highways Management

Goals/Outcomes	Measures	Targets/Standards	2001-2002 Commitments
Provincial highways are delivered cost efficiently	% of total highway capital cost spent on actual construction versus overhead	Target: 80% of total highway capital cost will be invested in actual construction	MTO is continuing to replenish reserves of engineering design depleted by large programs in previous years. However, we will still be able to maintain a three- year moving average close to 80%.

Road User Safety

Goals/Outcomes	Measures	Targets/Standards	2001-2002 Commitments
Safer Ontario road users and drivers	# of fatalities per 10,000 licensed drivers	MTO will stay within the top 10 North American jurisdictions and maintain improvement trends	Stay within the top 10 North American jurisdictions and maintain improvement trends. Track/report on number of fatalities and number of collisions per 10,000 drivers.
Safe commercial vehicles and carriers	% of commercial vehicles identified as mechanically fit in annual randomly conducted three-day survey	Target: Increase the proportion of mechanically fit vehicles identified in annual randomly conducted three-day 'Road Check' survey to over 70%	Increase the proportion of mechanically fit vehicles identified in annual three- day Road Check survey to be 70% or higher.
Efficient customer service delivery for testing, licensing and registration activities	% of customers satisfied with service	Target: 80% of customers will express satisfaction with service delivery for testing, licensing and registration activities.	Continue to deliver excellent customer service and maintain improvement trends in customer satisfaction levels in Driver Examination Centres and with Private Issuers network to above 80%. Ensure appropriate resources are allocated to delivering the Graduated Licensing System to improve customer service.

Top of page  

---

2000 - 2001 Ministry Spending by Core Business - Interim Actuals*