(Report dated June 3, 1998, addressed to the Chairman and Members of the Scarborough Community Council, from the Director, Road and Traffic Services, Works and Environment, Scarborough District.)

Subject:All-Way Stop Control at Blakemanor Boulevard and Chestermere Boulevard, Scarborough City Centre

Purpose:

To investigate the need to install an all-way stop control at the intersection of Blakemanor Boulevard and Chestermere Boulevard.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The $ 300 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of the stop signs are available in the Road & Traffic Services 1998 Budget, Account No. 20000-70200-72240.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the stop signs identified in Appendix 1 of this report be adopted; and

(2)the appropriate by-laws be amended accordingly.

Council Reference/Background/History:

Road and Traffic Services received a request from former Councillor Paul Mushinski, which was followed up by a petition representing 89 homes, requesting an all-way stop control at the intersection of Blakemanor Boulevard and Chestermere Boulevard.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The intersection of Blakemanor Boulevard and Chestermere Boulevard is located between Markham Road and Bellamy Road North, south of Lawrence Avenue. Both roads currently contain 50 kilometre per hour speed limits. Blakemanor Boulevard is designated as the through street.

All-Way Stop Control

The justification for the installation of an all-way stop control is based on a technical warrant established by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), and adopted as the City Policy by former Scarborough Council.

Traffic studies conducted on Tuesday, September 9, 1997 at the intersection of Blakemanor Boulevard and Chestermere Boulevard produced the following results which illustrate that the Warrant's vehicle volume requirements are not satisfied:

Study Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 Despite the fact that the warrant is not achieved, we do have some concerns with regard to sight lines at this intersection. Specifically, due to the layout of this intersection, and depending on the stopped position, motorists on Chestermere Boulevard have less than ideal sight lines of approaching westbound motorists on Blakemanor Boulevard.

During the study hours, field investigation staff noted that motorists on Chestermere Boulevard, when attempting to view westbound vehicles on Blakemanor Boulevard, would have to encroach into the intersection before proceeding. Fortunately, as vehicle volumes at the intersection were very low, there were no conflicts. However, entering the intersection from Chestermere Boulevard in this manner is not considered a safe manoeuvre. Furthermore, staff did observe some motorists on Blakemanor Boulevard slowing, assuming that it was an all-way stop.

We were also informed, and did observe that pedestrians were also proceeding with caution at this intersection due to the less than ideal sight lines.

Therefore, based on the intersection layout and the following reasons, an all-way stop control is recommended at this intersection:

1.the level of safety would be increased.

2.the accident potential would be decreased.

3.only a small number of motorists would be inconvenienced.

4.the safety concerns of the area residents would be satisfied.

We must highlight that with the recorded vehicle volume percentage splits for the major/minor roads at these intersections, we would anticipate a good level of stop sign obedience if stop signs were installed on Blakemanor Boulevard.

At many all-way stop locations we receive complaints that residents feel that these controls will not only adversely affect the appearance of their homes but they will also lose some privacy due to vehicles continually stopping in front of their homes. In the petition, the four residents directly at the corner of Blakemanor Boulevard and Chestermere Boulevard have all indicated their support for this traffic control.

We should mention that there is a requirement to trim some of the branches on the boulevard trees in advance of the new signs to ensure adequate visibility of the stop signs.

Collision History

A three-year review of the reported collision history, January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1996 reveals no (0) collisions have occurred at the intersections of Blakemanor Boulevard and Chestermere Boulevard.

Conclusions:

Although all-way stop controls are not technically warranted, based on the layout of the intersection, we do recommend an all-way stop at the intersection of Blakemanor Boulevard and Chestermere Boulevard.

Contact Name:

Bruce Clayton

Supervisor, Traffic Investigations, Works and Environment, Scarborough District

Telephone: 396-7844

Fax: 396-5681

E-mail: clayton@city.scarborough.on.ca

(A copy of Appendix 1 as referred to in the foregoing report, is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)

(Attachments are also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)

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