March 18, 1998
To:East York Community Council
From:Richard Z. Tomaszewicz
Commissioner of Development Services, East York
Subject:Traffic Concerns on Orchard Green
Purpose:
To report to the April 1, 1998, East York Community Council meeting on the results of a study conducted to evaluate the
effectiveness of turn restrictions implemented on Moore Avenue at Orchard Green.
Financial Implications:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
AIt is recommended that this report be received for information.@
Background:
The Council of the former Borough of East York, at its meeting on June 2, 1997, requested the Commissioner of
Development Services to report after studying traffic volumes on Orchard Green and Evergreen Gardens to determine the
necessity of implementing "No Left Turn" restrictions onto Lumley Avenue.
This request followed Council's approval of a "No Left Turn, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m." restriction for westbound traffic on
Moore Avenue at Orchard Green and discussed in Item 3, Report No. 14 of the Regulatory and Development Committee
(1997) and Minute No. 3.269 (1997). This restriction was introduced to minimize the use of Orchard Green and Evergreen
Gardens as a bypass by motorists to access southbound Bayview Avenue.
Discussion:
A 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. westbound left turn prohibition was introduced at the intersection of Moore Avenue and Orchard
Green on July 29, 1997.
Traffic volume studies were conducted on Brendan Road, Lumley Avenue and Evergreen Gardens following the
implementation of the left turn restriction at Orchard Green. These counts were compared to traffic studies conducted prior
to implementation of the turn restriction at Orchard Green and Moore Avenue. The results are illustrated below:
Traffic Volumes - A.M. Peak Period (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.)
| LOCATION |
JUNE 1997 |
AUGUST 1997 |
| eastbound Evergreen Gardens, west of Bayview
Avenue |
60 |
16 |
| southbound Lumley Avenue, south of Moore
Avenue |
6 |
37 |
| southbound Brendan Road, south of Moore
Avenue |
no count |
10 |
The study results indicate that traffic travelling on Evergreen Gardens to Bayview Avenue has been significantly reduced
since the implementation of the "No Left Turn" restriction.
The results also indicate that traffic has increased on Lumley Avenue. However, given the low volume (37 vehicles over
two hours), staff do not recommend any further turn restrictions at this time. The volume is indicative of traffic destined to
the local neighbourhood and additional turn restrictions would further inhibit access into the area by local residents.
The City Clerks Department, East York, has advised the original complainants and the Bennington Heights Ratepayers
Association that this report is being presented to the East York Community Council.
Conclusions:
The implementation of a "No Left Turn, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m." restriction for westbound traffic on Moore Avenue at
Orchard Green has resulted in significantly reduced eastbound traffic volumes on Evergreen Gardens, which was used as a
bypass to access Bayview Avenue. There was an increase in traffic on Lumley Avenue, however these vehicles are likely
displaced from Orchard Green that are making trips into the neighbourhood.
This turn restriction has been successful in reducing traffic infiltration in this neighbourhood. Therefore, further traffic
mitigation techniques are not recommended at this time.
Contact Name:
Bryan Muir, Transportation Technologist
East York Office
778-2227
bmuir@borough.eastyork.on.ca
RICHARD Z. TOMASZEWICZ
Commissioner of Development Services, East York
