10 July 1998
To:Chairman and Members of the North York Community Council
From:Roberto Stopnicki,
Deputy Commissioner of Transportation
North York Civic Centre
Subject:Traffic Management Plan: St. Andrews Community
North York Centre South
Purpose:To install on a temporary basis, two sets of speed humps, stopping restrictions
adjacent to speed cushions, and a 40 km/h zone and on Upper Canada Drive. Installation of
all way stop controls at the intersections of Fenn Avenue with Upper Highland Crescent and
Aldershot Crescent with Yorkminster Road.
Source of funds:
All costs associated with the installation of the speed humps, traffic control signing and the
installation of the all way stop controls are included within the 1998 operating budget.
Recommendations:
1.That two sets of speed humps be installed on Upper Canada Drive, for a six month period;
2. That By-law #31878, of the former City of North York be amended to designate Upper
Canada Drive, from Lord Seaton Road (westerly limit) to the easterly limit of Upper Canada
Drive as a 40 km/h zone;
3. That Schedule IX of By-law 31001, of the former City of North York be amended to
install "No Stopping at Any Time" restrictions adjacent to the speed humps;
4.That Schedules XVII and XIX of By-law #31001, of the former City of North York be
amended to require traffic to stop on all approaches to the intersections of Fenn Avenue with
Upper Highland Crescent and Aldershot Crescent with Yorkminster Road.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The Transportation Division in accordance with the former City of North York Council
Policy for Traffic Calming, has met with the residents of the community and Councillor
Joanne Flint to address the concerns of the residents with respect to traffic related issues. A
Traffic Work Group comprised of the residents of the area and staff was established to
identify the specific concerns of the community and to develop a traffic management plan
which will be considered appropriate and acceptable by the community.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
The Traffic Work Group in conjunction with staff of the Transportation Division, of the
Works and Emergency Services Department have reviewed various locations through out
the community which were identified as problematic locations.
At a majority of the locations it was determined that the existing situations could be
improved by either the installation of additional signing and or pavement markings.
However at the intersections of Fenn Avenue with Upper Highland Crescent and Aldershot
Crescent with Yorkminster Road it was determined that these intersections be considered for
the installation of an all way stop control.
When examining an intersection for the feasibility of installing an all way stop control,
consideration is given to the road classification and alignments (vertical and horizontal),
vehicle and pedestrian volumes, delay to minor street traffic, collision history, vehicle and
pedestrian sight lines, and existing pavement markings and signage.
A portion of the above information is then tabulated to determine if the technical warrant
for the installation of an all way stop control is met. Notwithstanding, where existing
geometric characteristics of the intersection or specific site conditions would support the
installation of an all way stop control, consideration is given.
Therefore, in the instance of the intersections of Fenn Avenue with Upper Highland
Crescent and Aldershot Crescent with Yorkminster Road it was determined that due to the
alignment at these intersections an all way stop control be installed. Accordingly, the traffic
working group and Councillor Joanne Flint have obtained the endorsement of the
community, at a public meeting held in the community.
Twenty four hour vehicle speed and volumes counts conducted on Upper Canada Drive have
indicated that during the morning peak periods, vehicle speeds can be deemed excessive.
The traffic working group has examined various methods of improving the traffic situation
on Upper Canada Drive, from the installation of all way stop controls to the installation of
appropriate traffic calming measures.
The working group with the endorsement of Councillor Flint and the residents in
attendance at the public meeting held on June 22, have requested the installation of speed
humps on Upper Canada Drive.
The speed humps that will be used at these locations are specially designed to minimize the
impact on transit vehicles. These speed humps are called 'speed cushions' and occupy part
of the traffic lane in which they are installed and are generally located in pairs. The height of
the speed cushion is 7.5 centimetres. The intent of a speed cushion is to alter the driving
behaviour of motorists, and not interfere or disrupt transit vehicle operations. This is
achieved by designing the width of the speed cushion to accommodate a standard wheel base
of a transit vehicle.
Operational characteristics of speed humps / cushions have been reviewed by the City's
emergency services departments, road maintenance divisions and The Toronto Transit
Commission, resulting in a general approval of these measures as a speed control.
The Toronto Transit Commission, Ambulance Services, Fire Services and Police Services
have been requested to provide this department with their comments on the installation of
speed cushions, on Upper Canada Drive, so that any specific concerns may be addressed
prior to installation.
Conclusions:
In view of the above the Transportation Division supports the installation of the traffic
calming measures proposed for Upper Canada Drive, and the installation of the all-way stop
controls. In accordance with the former City of North York's Traffic Management Plan
adopted by Council, that the Works and Emergency Services Department, Transportation
Division will report back to Council in six months on the effectiveness of the traffic calming
proposal.
Contact Name:
Mr. Michael Frederick, Director of Operations, at 395-7484
Roberto Stopnicki
Deputy Commissioner of Transportation
