July 22, 1998
To:Etobicoke Community Council
From:Dominic Gulli, Interim Co-ordinator of Community Council
Subject:Proposed Installation of Yield Sign Controls:
Murchison Crescent at Blackbush Drive ( North-West and South-East Intersections)
(Rexdale-Thistletown)
Purpose:
To propose the installation of yield sign controls on Murchison Crescent at the south and
east approaches to the north-west and south-east intersections, respectively, of Blackbush
Drive and Murchison Crescent.
Funding Sources:
The funds associated with the installation of the regulatory signage are contained in the
1998 Transportation Division's Operating Budget.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)a yield sign control be erected at the south approach to the north-west intersection of
Murchison Crescent and Blackbush Drive;
(2)a yield sign control be erected at the west approach to the south-east intersection of
Murchison Crescent and Blackbush Drive; and
(3)the attached by-law (Attachment No. 1) receive Council approval.
Background:
The Transportation and Engineering Planning Division has received a verbal request from
Mr. Delmonaco, 5 Blackbush Drive, requesting some form of traffic control on Murchison
Crescent at the north-west and south-east intersections of Murchison Crescent and
Blackbush Drive. Mr. Delmonaco's request is the result of his concerns regarding accidents
that have occurred at these intersections. A map of the area is Attachment No. 2.
Currently, both intersections are uncontrolled and right of way is established by the normal
(basic) right of way rule. The rule, as stated in the Highway Traffic Act, Section 135(1) &
(2) is "every driver approaching an intersection shall yield the right of way to any vehicle in
the intersection that has entered it from an intersecting highway," and "when two vehicles
enter an intersection from intersecting highways at approximately the same time, the driver
on the left shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right." Given the complainant's
concerns, it would seem that there have been incidents of noncompliance of this rule at the
subject intersections.
To address Mr. Delmonaco's concerns, the following information was obtained:
(1)twenty-four hour automatic approach and both ways counts recorded on Murchison
Crescent and Blackbush Drive, respectively; and
(2)review of the three year (1995-1997) accident history.
Comments and Discussion:
(1)Automatic Traffic Counts
The following table summarizes the traffic counts recorded in April and May of this year
at/near the north-west and south-east intersections of Murchison Crescent and
Blackbush Drive.
| STREET |
LOCATION |
COUNT
TYPE |
24 HOUR
VOLUME |
PEAK
HOUR
VOLUME |
| Murchison
Crescent |
South of
Blackbush Drive |
Approach:
northbound |
125 |
15 |
| Murchison
Crescent |
West of
Blackbush Drive |
Approach:
eastbound |
147 |
19 |
| Blackbush
Drive |
South of
Murchison Crescent |
Both ways |
444 |
41 |
| Blackbush
Drive |
West of
Murchison Crescent |
Both ways |
253 |
25 |
It is evident from the above counts that Blackbush Drive is operating as the major street in
terms of traffic flow. Overall, traffic volumes at both intersections would be considered low.
(2)Accident History
A review of the accident history for both intersections of Murchison Crescent and
Blackbush Drive has revealed no reportable accidents in the last three years ( 1995-1997).
Conclusions:
Overall, traffic volume at the two intersections of Blackbush Drive and Murchison Crescent
is minimal; however, based on these volumes, Blackbush Drive would be considered the
major street. The introduction of yield sign controls on Murchison Crescent at the
approaches to Blackbush Drive would assign right of way to the major street and provide
safe, convenient, and efficient traffic movement at these intersections.
Contact Name:
Mark Hargot, Traffic Co-ordinator, Transportation and Engineering Planning Division.
(416) 394-8453; Fax: 394-8942.
D. Gulli
Interim Co-ordinator of Community Council
Works and Emergency Services
MH/jd*
Attachment
ccStreet File: "M"
