April 17, 1998

To:The Urban Environment and Development Committee

From:Interim Functional Lead, Transportation

Subject:Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals Wilson Avenue at No. 1201 Wilson Avenue Access

Black Creek - Councillors Maria Augimeri, Peter LiPreti North York-Humber - Councillors George Mammoliti, Judy Sgro

Purpose:

To propose the installation of traffic control signals at the access to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue.

Funding Sources:

The funds associated with new traffic control signal installations are contained in the Department's Capital Budget Projections under Project No. C-TR031. The estimated cost of the installation of traffic control signals at the access to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue is $60,000.00.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)traffic control signals be installed on Wilson Avenue at the access to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue;

(2)installation be subject to the approval of the 1998 Capital Works Program and the securing of appropriate financing; and

(3)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.

Background:

At the request of an employee of the Ministry of the Attorney General, located at No. 1201 Wilson Avenue, our Department investigated the feasibility of installing pedestrian crossing protection on Wilson Avenue at the access to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue. The complainant expressed concern that area residents as well as employees at No. 1201 Wilson Avenue have difficulties crossing Wilson Avenue in this vicinity.

Discussion:

Wilson Avenue in the vicinity of No. 1201 Wilson Avenue is a five-lane roadway and the posted speed limit is 50 km/h. There is an exclusive westbound left-turn lane at the access to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue. Eastbound and westbound Toronto Transit Commission (T.T.C.) bus stops are located in bus bays, east of the access to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue. The north side of Wilson Avenue is mainly high-density residential properties and the Downsview Government Plaza (formerly the Ministry of Transportation) is located on the south side. Adjacent traffic control signals are located at Julian Road approximately 303 metres to the west and at Keele Street approximately 465 metres to the east.

To determine the level of activity at the access to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue, our Department conducted a traffic signal warrant study. The results of our study revealed that during an eight-hour count on a typical weekday, a total of 176 pedestrians were recorded crossing Wilson Avenue in close proximity to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue. The majority of pedestrians recorded crossed in the 50 metre area east of the access to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue, near the T.T.C. bus stops. The results of a traffic signal warrants study at the access to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue are tabled below:

Either Warrant 1 or Warrant 2 should be 100%. satisfied or any two of the three warrants should be 80% satisfied to meet the minimum technical requirements for the installation of traffic control signals. Based on the above-noted results, the minimum technical warrants for the installation of traffic control signals are satisfied.

Transportation Division staff reviewed the collision records provided by the Toronto Police Service for the five-year period ending December 31, 1996. During this period two collisions have occurred which are of the type considered susceptible to correction by the installation of traffic control signals. Neither of these collisions involved a pedestrian. Although the Toronto Police Service collision records are incomplete for 1997, we are aware of a pedestrian collision at this location which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old man.

Conclusion:

Based on the study results, traffic control signals are warranted at No. 1201 Wilson Avenue and this installation will improve pedestrian and vehicular safety in this area.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Bruce Zvaniga, Manager

North & West Traffic Regions (416)-392-8826

D.P. Floyd

Interium Functional Lead, Transportation

Reviewed by Barry Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

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