28 October 1998

To:North York Community Council

From:Roberto Stopnicki,

Director, Transportation Services - District 3

Subject:Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan: Empress Avenue

North York Centre

Purpose:This report details the installation of temporary traffic calming measures on Empress Avenue, to address issues of traffic safety and speeding, brought forward by residents, in accordance with the former City of North York's Neighbourhood Traffic Management Policy.

Source of funds:

All costs associated with the installation of the temporary Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan are included within the 1998 operating budget.

Recommendations:

1. That the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan, as described in this report and in accordance with policy, be approved for installation as a temporary six month test;
2. That the installation of three proposed speed humps be deferred until the Spring of 1999;
3. That Transportation Services staff report back to North York Community Council upon the completion of the six month test, in accordance with policy, regarding the effectiveness of the measures and appropriate recommendations as to whether the plan should be made permanent; and
4. That By-law No. 31878, of the former City of North York be amended to reduce the speed limit on Empress Avenue, through the traffic calmed area, to 40 km/h.

Council Reference/Background/History:

As a result of concerns from the residents along Empress Avenue, Councillor Norm Gardner invited local residents to a community meeting. Councillor Gardner's office has advised that over 100 residents, between Kingsdale Avenue and Parkview Avenue, received notification of the community meeting.

In accordance with the Traffic Calming Policy, a traffic work group, made up of residents who live on Empress Avenue, was established to work with staff, to address the traffic concerns. After several meetings of the traffic work group, a plan has been developed through the implementation of several different traffic calming measures. The plan was agreed to, in principle, for a six month test by the affected residents who attended the September 8^th public meeting, in accordance with the former City of North York's Council Policy. The traffic work group has submitted a request that this matter be brought forward to the North York Community Council for consideration of the proposed temporary plan.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The attached graphs illustrate that while traffic volumes, over a twenty four hour and peak hour periods, are within acceptable limits for a collector roadway, residents are concerned that traffic patterns are unacceptable. Changes in traffic patterns and volume increases in the general area can be attributed to traffic from Sheppard Avenue diverting because of construction of the subway. The situation is temporary and once the construction of the subway is completed and particularly when the Service Road is extended north, traffic patterns will normalize on Empress Avenue.

These traffic calming measures proposed to address the residents concerns of safety and off peak speeding consist of "pinch points", "mid-block median dividers", "sidewalk extensions" and "speed humps" as detailed on Appendix 'A'. Several other types of traffic control measures were suggested by the community and reviewed by the traffic work group including turn restrictions, stop signs and continuous police enforcement. For a variety of reasons, as reviewed by the community during the process, these were not pursued at this time.

Due to limitations associated with construction activities late in the season, the installation of the speed humps must be deferred until the spring of 1999.

Conclusions:

The Transportation Division has been active for numerous years, responding to concerns of vehicle speed, volume and traffic safety. Past studies confirm that 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 success in addressing concerns of speeding in other areas. Staff will continue to work with the residents through to the final phases of the design and installation process.

All City departments and emergency services have been contacted for comments pertaining to the installation of the traffic calming measure. With the exception of the Fire Services, we have received no objections.

In general, the emergency services supported measures that can be taken to improve safety on our streets, however, they expressed concern that when they encounter severe restrictions, emergency services vehicles will be delayed when responding to calls.

The Fire Services specifically noted this as Empress Avenue was a primary service route for both the Canterbury Place (Station 1) and Bayview Avenue (Station 13) stations, and the principal access to this community, therefore delays in responding could be significant, depending on the extent of the emergency. With respect to the proposal, the staff of the Fire Services would anticipate delays only at locations where speed humps were installed. All other measures only introduce horizontal changes and therefore would not require a reduction in the speed of the response vehicle.

As a result of the fast approaching cold weather, there is a concern that the three proposed speed humps might not be able to be properly built, and it is suggested that their installation be deferred until the spring. This deferral would also allow staff to assess the benefits associated with the installation of the remaining traffic calming measures. Should it be substantiated that the residents' concerns have been met without the speed humps, their installation could be reconsidered, and if removed from the traffic calming plan, would address the Fire Services concern for delayed response times.

Staff considers the proposed traffic calming plan to be functional in addressing driver behaviour, managing vehicle speeds and increasing traffic/pedestrian safety.

Funds exist in the current operating budget to install these features for a six month test. Prior to a final submission to deal with the permanent installation of a Traffic Management Plan on Empress Avenue, a cost estimate would be developed .

Contact Name:

Allen J. Pinkerton, Supervisor of Traffic Investigations

395-7463 (telephone)

395-7482 (facsimile)

ajpinker@city.north-york.on.ca (e-mail)

Roberto Stopnicki,

Director, Transportation Services - District 3

g:\investig\operate\tt22\reports\2313.98

Schedule 'A'

Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan: Empress Avenue

E/of Doris Avenue

Pinch Point

Doris Avenue to Kenneth Avenue

Mid-block median divider

W/of Kenneth Avenue

Pinch Point

Empress Avenue @ Kenneth Avenue

Sidewalk Extensions

E/of Kenneth Avenue

Pinch Point

Kenneth Avenue to Dudley Avenue

Mid-block speed hump

W/of and E/of Dudley Avenue

Pinch points

Dudley Avenue to Willowdale Avenue

Mid-block median divider

W/of and E/of Willowdale Avenue

Pinch points

Willowdale Avenue to Longmore Street

Mid-block median divider

W/of and E/of Longmore Street

Pinch points

Longmore Street to Wilfred Avenue

Mid-block speed hump

W/of and E/of Wilfred Avenue

Pinch points

Empress Avenue @ Wilfred Avenue

Sidewalk extensions

Wilfred Avenue to Highgate Avenue

Mid-block median divider

W/of and E/of Highgate Avenue

Pinch points

Highgate Avenue to Estelle Avenue

Mid-block speed hump

W/of and E/of Estelle Avenue

Pinch points

Empress Avenue @ Estelle Avenue

Sidewalk Extensions

Estelle Avenue to Bayview Avenue

Mid-block median divider