March 16, 1998
To: Chairman and Members of the Scarborough Community Council
From: Gary H. Welsh, Director, Road & Traffic Services, Works and Environment, Scarborough District
Subject: Pedestrian Crossing Protection and Parking Concerns at Pauline Johnson Junior Public School on Dunmurray Boulevard, Scarborough Wexford
Purpose:
To address the need for parking/stopping restrictions on Dunmurray Boulevard adjacent to Pauline Johnson Junior Public School (Jr. P.S.).
Funding Sources:
The $ 1000 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of the parking/stopping restriction signs are contained in the Road & Traffic Services 1998 Budget, Account No. 20000-70200-72260.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) the stopping regulations identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;
(2) the parking and stopping regulations identified in Appendix 2 of this report be adopted; and
(3) the appropriate by-law be amended accordingly.
Background:
At the request of former Scarborough Councillor Ron Watson, on behalf of the principal of Pauline Johnson Jr. P.S., Road & Traffic Services conducted traffic studies in the area of this school. The issue of pedestrian safety was examined due to a number of vehicles dropping off and picking up children adjacent to the school.
Discussion:
Pauline Johnson Jr. P.S. is located on Dunmurray Boulevard to the southwest of Birchmount Road and Huntingwood Drive. Dunmurray Boulevard is a residential roadway with appropriate signs in place to warn approaching motorists of the school area ahead. Currently, there is a ANo Stopping, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday@ restriction as well as a School Bus Loading Zone along the southeast/school side of Dunmurray Boulevard. On the northwest side of Dunmurray Boulevard there are no posted parking restrictions.
Parking Observations
Most motorists, when given an option, chose to park along the east side of Dunmurray Boulevard in front of the school. The following table shows the results of these observations:
|
Study Period 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., May 5/97 |
Study Period 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m., May 5/97 |
|
Parking By School - (East Side) Private Vehicles within- >No Stopping, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon.-Fri.= |
20 |
Parking By School - (East Side) Private Vehicles within - >No Stopping, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon.-Fri.= |
9
|
|
School Buses/Vans |
1 |
School Buses/Vans |
1 |
|
Parking Opposite Side - (West Side)
Private Vehicles - no signed restrictions |
2 |
Parking Opposite Side - (West Side)
Private Vehicles- no signed restrictions |
2 |
|
Parking Lot Use
- inbound
- outbound |
50
31 |
Parking Lot Use
- inbound
- outbound |
22
24 |
This table shows that most parents/guardians either ignored the existing stopping restrictions and parked directly against the school or instead chose to use the school=s parking lot to park temporarily. Some motorists also parked on the west or opposite of the school side of the road and in so doing, severely restricted the travel portion of the roadway to regular through traffic.
Pedestrian Crossing Observations
Road & Traffic Services staff also recorded the volume and location of pedestrian crossings by the school. Fortunately, no conflicts were recorded between pedestrians and motorists during our studies. The following tables show our observations:
|
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Pedestrian Crossings - Dunmurray Blvd, in front of school, May 5/97 |
|
Pedestrians Crossing to the East Side
of Dunmurray Blvd (towards school) |
Pedestrians Crossing to the West Side
of Dunmurray Blvd (away from school) |
|
Adults |
5 |
Adults |
6 |
|
Assisted Children (with adults) |
3 |
Assisted Children (with adults) |
0 |
|
Children crossing by themselves |
1 |
Children crossing by themselves |
0 |
|
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Pedestrian Crossings -Dunmurray Blvd, in front of school, May 5/97 |
|
Pedestrians Crossing to the East Side
of Dunmurray Blvd (towards school) |
Pedestrians Crossing to the West Side
of Dunmurray Blvd (away from school) |
|
Adults |
4 |
Adults |
3 |
|
Assisted Children (with adults) |
0 |
Assisted Children (with adults) |
3 |
|
Children crossing by themselves |
0 |
Children crossing by themselves |
3 |
These tables reveal that pedestrian traffic crossing Dunmurray Boulevard is quite light. In addition, although not shown on these tables, many pedestrian movements were associated to those vehicles waiting along side the school and therefore, these pedestrians did not cross over Dunmurray Boulevard.
Collision History
In addition to the studies outlined above, Road & Traffic Services conducted a four-year collision review by the school (from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1996). No collisions have been reported on Dunmurray Boulevard during this time.
Conclusions:
Alterations to existing on-street parking restrictions along Dunmurray Boulevard would make them more consistent with recent changes to a number of other schools in Scarborough. Essentially, these alterations involve emphasising >school side= parking and discouraging even >brief stopping= on the opposite side of the road. This is done by erecting a 30 minute parking limit between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday on the southeast side of the road, while posting a ANo Stopping, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday@ restriction on the northwest side of the road. If properly adhered to, these restrictions will create sufficient room for approximately 20 vehicles to park temporarily. The school principal has indicated her support for these recommendations.
Contact Name:
Gary H. Welsh
Director, Road & Traffic Services, Works & Environment, Scarborough District
Telephone: 396-5061
Fax: 396-5681
E-mail: welsh@city.scarborough.on.ca
Gary H. Welsh
Director
Road & Traffic Services
Works and Environment, Scarborough District
Michael A. Price
Commissioner
Works & Environment, Scarborough District
Appendix 1
A
No Stopping@
Prohibition to be Rescinded
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
Highway Side From To Times or Days
Dunmurray East Eaglestone Groomsport 7:00 a.m. to
Boulevard Road Crescent 6:00 p.m.
(North Leg) Monday to
Friday
Appendix 2
A
No Stopping@
Prohibition to be Enacted
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
Highway Side From To Times or Days
Dunmurray West Eaglestone Groomsport 8:00 a.m. to
Boulevard Road Crescent 4:00 p.m.
(North Monday to
Intersection) Friday
A
Parking for Restricted Periods@
Prohibition to be Enacted
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Maximum
Times Period
Highway Side From To or Days Permitted
Dunmurray East Eaglestone Groomsport 8:00 a.m. to 30 minutes
Boulevard Road Crescent 4:00 p.m.
(North Monday to Friday
Intersection)
