That the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan, as described in this report, be approved for installation as part of the 1998 Capital Works Program; and
2) That funding, which has been included in the Public Works Department 1998 Capital Budget request, for the implementation of the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan as described in this report, be approved; and
- That the affected residents be consulted by staff and be able to participate in the final design and location of the traffic calming measures recommended in this report; and
- That the appropriate staff of the Works and Emergency Services Department, North York District, be directed to design, tender and construct the traffic calming measures as detailed in this report upon approval of the 1998 Capital Budget by Toronto Council.
Council Reference/Background/History:
North York Council, at its meeting of April 16, 1997, by Resolution Number 97-09 adopted Clause 9 of Transportation Committee Report Number 7, dated April 3, 1997. This report recommended a six month test of the neighbourhood traffic management plan proposed for Bayview Village by the appointed traffic work group and supported by staff. In accordance with the Traffic Calming Policy staff were also directed to report back to Council regarding the effectiveness of the test in improving traffic safety. The Bayview Village Association has submitted a request that this matter be brought forward to the North York Community Council for approval of the construction of the plan.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
On August 5, 1997 the Transportation Department completed the installation of a program to test the traffic calming measures recommended by the Bayview Village Traffic Work Group and supported by the Bayview Village community, as presented to them at a public meeting, and approved by North York Council.
These measures consist of "pinch points", "intersection dividers", "traffic circle" and "raised driveable medians", as detailed on Appendix 'A'. Several other types of traffic control measures were suggested by the community and reviewed by the Work Group including speed humps, turn restrictions, stop signs, reduced speed limits, bicycle lanes and continuous police enforcement. For a variety of reasons, as reviewed by the community during the process, these were rejected as viable options for the management of traffic in Bayview Village.
Upon installation of the approved plan, some complaints were received by the department and the residents association with respect to the traffic circle implemented at Burbank Drive and Citation Drive. Steps were taken to modify the design of the circle in an attempt to accommodate the residents' concerns. Ultimately however, at the direction of the Work Group and supported by the department, the traffic circle was removed and replaced with intersection dividers.
Throughout the test period, the department monitored traffic, responded to residents concerns and made modifications to the location of the measures as was deemed appropriate. Numerous complaints were received regarding the aesthetics of the planters used to simulate the ultimate traffic calming measures. No functional or safety concerns were determined to exist by the department and snow clearing, roadway maintenance, garbage collection and emergency services were carried out throughout the test with no effect on service or safety.
Traffic speeds and volumes were recorded throughout the test and indicate that vehicle speeds were reduced by as much as 17% as a result of the traffic calming measures. Not all measures were as effective in controlling driver behaviour, for example, vehicle speeds at the pinch points on Foxwarren Drive and Burleigh Heights Drive, increased slightly. This can be attributed specifically to the conditions at each site. In the final implementation of the pinch points at these locations, alterations will be required in order to have a greater effect on reducing vehicle speeds.
Throughout the implementation of the traffic management plants, the policy for evaluation and monitoring of traffic calming was followed. The plan was presented to the community and approved by the affected residents, by a direct mail questionnaire, where they were requested to vote on the permanent installation. The results of the questionnaire, determined that 60.3% of the affected residents, indicated their consensus for the permanent installation of the plan.
Conclusions:
The Transportation Department has been active in Bayview Village for numerous years, responding to concerns of vehicle speed, volume and traffic safety. Past studies, confirmed recently by the Toronto Police, have indicated that at least 80% of the speeding violations are issued to area residents. Traditional methods in controlling traffic have had only limited and short term effect. Legislated traffic controls or police enforcement have not been effective in addressing driver behaviour to date. The physical measures which are being proposed have shown some success in addressing the speeding problem. Staff will continue to work with the residents throughout the final phases of the process design and installation process.
The estimated cost to implement the full traffic management plan in Bayview Village is $350,000. Cost savings could be realised however, if there are opportunities to issue the contract in combination with other approved construction contracts in the area. Funds have been identified in the Public Works Department Capital Works Budget for traffic calming projects which would include this plan, subject to final approval by Council.
All City departments, emergency services and commercial establishments have indicated they have no objections with the feasibility of the plan. With early approval, the design, tender and construction of the plan could be undertaken within the 1998 construction season.
Contact Name:
Michael J. Frederick, Director of Operations, 395-7484
Commissioner
