January 20, 1998
To: The Urban Environment and Development Committee
From: Commissioner of Transportation
Subject: Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals
Sheppard Avenue East and Gateforth Drive
Scarborough Malvern: Councillors Bas Balkissoon, Raymond Cho
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to obtain approval for the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Sheppard Avenue East and Gateforth Drive.
Funding Sources:
The funds associated with new traffic control signal installations are contained in the Transportation Department's Capital Budget Projections under Project No. C-TR031. The estimated cost of installing traffic control signals at this location is $98,000.00.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) traffic control signals be approved at the intersection of Sheppard Avenue East and Gateforth Drive; and
(2) installation be subject to the approval of the 1998 Capital Works Program and the securing of appropriate financing.
Background:
At the request of staff of the former City of Scarborough Works and Environment Department in 1997, Metro Transportation staff reviewed the feasibility of providing pedestrian crossing protection on Sheppard Avenue East at Gateforth Drive.
Discussion:
Sheppard Avenue East in the vicinity of Gateforth Drive is a 5-lane arterial road with a speed limit of 60 km/h and a two-way 24 hour traffic volume of approximately 25,800 vehicles. Adjacent traffic control signals are located on Sheppard Avenue East 220 metres to the east at Washburn Way and 350 metres to the west at Malvern Street.
A pedestrian crossover (PXO) warrant study revealed that 229 pedestrians crossed Sheppard Avenue East at this location in an eight-hour study period. Of these 229 pedestrians, 150 were delayed more than ten seconds before they could complete their crossing. Based on this information, both the pedestrian volume and the pedestrian delay warrants are 100 percent satisfied, and therefore the installation of a PXO is technically warranted.
Staff evaluated the warranted PXO according to guidelines that were developed for the "Audit of Operational and Physical Suitability of Pedestrian Crossovers in Metropolitan Toronto". This location fails to meet four of the "environmental standards". Specifically, the operating speed on Sheppard Avenue East is above 60 km/h, Sheppard Avenue East is more than four lanes wide, there is a driveway within 30 metres of the location, and there is loading activity (eastbound and westbound T.T.C. bus stops) in the immediate vicinity. The collision records provided by the Toronto Police Service for the five-year period ending December 31, 1996 revealed that there were no pedestrian-related collisions during this period.
Given the foregoing prevailing conditions, a pedestrian crossover cannot be expected to perform in a satisfactory fashion at this location. Accordingly, traffic control signals would provide the best form of crossing control and are recommended for this location.
Sheppard Avenue East is a major arterial road which used to be under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Toronto. The replacement of the PXO with traffic control signals will not have a significant impact on the effectiveness of this arterial link within the network of arterial roads. Furthermore the signals will provide benefits to all road users in the immediate area.
The installation of these traffic control signals is subject to the approval of the 1998 Capital Works Program, which is scheduled to be considered by City Council on April 15, 1998. Following approval of a group of traffic signal installations, tender documents will be prepared, and qualified electrical contractors will be asked to submit bids for this work. The results of the tender call will be reported to the Urban Environment and Development Committee at the earliest opportunity after April 15, 1998.
Conclusions:
The installation of a PXO is warranted on Sheppard Avenue East and Gateforth Drive. However, because of the failure of this location to meet the "environmental standards" for the installation of a PXO, traffic control signals will potentially provide for a safer crossing environment and should be installed at this location.
Contact Name:
Martin Maguire, P.Eng.
Acting Manager, East Traffic Region
(416) 392-5243
D.P. Floyd
Commissioner
Reviewed by Barry Gutteridge
Acting Executive Commissioner
RAN/jr
