Traffic Signs and Signals

An Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) helps visually impaired pedestrians safely cross the street. Non-visual information, such as audible tones, raised directional arrows, and vibrating push buttons, are used along with the pedestrian WALK display.

The City of Brampton has implemented a new policy to install pedestrian countdown timers at all new and upgraded traffic signals. The timer counts down when the flashing orange hand symbol is displayed to indicate to the pedestrian how much time they have to safely cross.

​A Mid-Block Pedestrian Signal (MPS) helps pedestrians to safely cross a busy street between intersections, and are installed where there are high pedestrian volumes. Vehicle stop bars are kept 1 metre from the crosswalk to minimize conflicts with pedestrians.

Flashing 40 signs designate time specific reduced speed limits in front of certain schools. As regulated by Traffic By-Law 93-93, Schedule X​, ​drivers must travel at 40 km/h whe​n flashing beacons are activated. When not in operation, the speed limit returns to the posted limit for that road.

During the first two weeks of school, these signs will flash Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm. For the rest of the school year, flashing beacons will be activated based on school hours and/or peak travel times.

Speed display boards are pole-mounted devices equipped with radar speed detectors and an LED display. The boards are capable of detecting the approaching speed of a vehicle and displaying it back to the driver.

When combined with a regulatory speed limit sign, a clear message is sent to the driver that they may be travelling too fast. The objective of the program is to improve road safety by making drivers aware of their speed.

​Vehicle Activated Traffic Calming Signs (VATCS) are solar powered pole-mounted devices equipped with radar speed detectors and an LED display.

When a vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed, the sign’s LED display will light up and display the words “SLOW DOWN” along with a standard Ontario speed limit sign and flashing ambers in four corners.

Signs are installed on 40 or 50 km/h roads with a higher than expected speed or roads that have been identified in the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Guide​. The boards demonstrate Council’s commitment to address citizen concerns regarding vehicle speeds.​​

​The purpose of the Watch for Children warning sign is to warn drivers of the unexpected presence of children on or near a designated roadway. It is felt that displaying this message will encourage drivers to be more cautious when travelling within a neighbourhood.

These signs are considered on roads when the following criteria are met:

• Two-lane collector road
• Contain direct residential frontage
• Intersect with an arterial road
• Show evidence of non-local traffic

Final decisions on sign placement will be based on traffic engineering guidelines and principles.

​Municipal Speed Camera signs indicate the presence or the planned presence of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras. ASE is an automated system that uses a camera and a speed measurement device to enforce speed limits and to help make roads safer for all users.

​The purpose of a Community Safety Zone​ is to indicate to the motorist that they are within a zone where fines have been increased through a special designation under the Highway Traffic Act (many set fines are doubled such as speeding and traffic signal related offences).

The signs that include the BEGINS and ENDS tabs define the legal limits of the zone. The rules of the road do not change within the zone; only the penalties for violations are increased.​