September 2, 1998
To: East York Community Council
From: Andy Koropeski
Director, District 1, Transportation Services
Subject: Request for Pedestrian Crossover on Mortimer Avenue at Durant Avenue
Purpose:
To report to the September 16, 1998, meeting of the East York Community Council on a request for a pedestrian crossover on Mortimer Avenue at Durant Avenue.
Financial Implications:
None.
Recommendations:
"It is recommended that this report be received for information."
Background:
In a report dated May 28, 1997, to the former Borough of East York Council, staff responded to a request from an East York resident to implement a pedestrian crossover on Mortimer Avenue at Durant Avenue. The resident was concerned about the inconvenience of having to walk to the traffic signals at Mortimer Avenue at Coxwell Avenue or the pedestrian crossover on Mortimer Avenue at Bonnie Brae Boulevard, the heavy traffic at R.H. McGregor School when children are being picked up and dropped off at school, and that crossing the street is dangerous in winter.
Staff conducted an 8-hour pedestrian volume and delay study on February 27, 1997, as part of the investigation of the resident’s concern. This study revealed that the warrant for a pedestrian crossover at this location was 93 percent fulfilled. The warrant must be 100 percent fulfilled to be considered for installation. A collision analysis for the intersection of Mortimer Avenue at Durant Avenue revealed no collisions involving pedestrians during the period from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 1996.
Staff reported in the May 28, 1997, report that Council had recently approved the following modifications to the student pick-up/drop-off locations adjacent to R.H. McGregor School:
A new pick-up/drop-off zone on Sammon Avenue, west of Coxwell Avenue, and;
A new parking lot off of Mortimer Avenue to accommodate parents escorting their children into school.
These measures were expected to alleviate traffic congestion on Durant Avenue and Mortimer Avenue during school hours.
The former Borough of East York Council, at its meeting of June 16, 1997, received and noted this report and requested the Commissioner of Development Services to report further on the request for a pedestrian crossover on Mortimer Avenue at Durant Avenue in 1998.
Discussion:
Works and Emergency Services staff conducted another 8-hour pedestrian volume and delay study on Thursday, May 21, 1998, at the intersection of Mortimer Avenue and Durant Avenue. The results of this study revealed that the warrant for a pedestrian crossover at this location was 45 percent fulfilled, which is less than half of the previous warrant conducted on Thursday, February 27, 1997. This reduction in pedestrian volume can be attributed to the installation of the new parking lot adjacent to the school entrance, since it provides an increased opportunity for parents to pick-up and drop-off their children adjacent to school grounds, requiring fewer parents to park elsewhere and escort their children across the street. Therefore, a pedestrian crossover continues to be unwarranted at this intersection. A collision analysis of this intersection for the period January 1, 1997 to March 31,1998, revealed no collisions involving pedestrians.
Staff also conducted studies to quantify the effect of the alterations to the student pick-up/drop-off zones adjacent to R.H. McGregor School discussed above. These studies were conducted on Thursday, May 21, 1998, and Tuesday, May 26, 1998. The results of these studies revealed that parents continue to park in violation of posted parking restrictions despite the construction of the new parking lot. Furthermore, the new student pick-up/drop-off zone located on Sammon Avenue was significantly underused, with ample parking available at all times.
In a letter dated July 15, 1998, the Principal of R.H. McGregor School was advised of the results of our studies and that we would be requesting enforcement of the posted parking restrictions in September 1998 in an effort to increase pedestrian safety and reduce traffic congestion on Mortimer Avenue and Durant Avenue adjacent to the school.
Conclusions:
A pedestrian crossover at the intersection of Mortimer Avenue and Durant Avenue continues to be unwarranted. Therefore, no further action is recommended at this time. To increase pedestrian safety at this intersection, staff will proceed with requesting enforcement by the Toronto Police Service- Parking Enforcement Unit of the signed parking restrictions in the area.
Contact Name:
Bryan Muir, Transportation Technologist
778-2227
bmuir@borough.eastyork.on.ca
ANDY KOROPESKI
Director, District 1
Transportation Services
