April 16, 1998

 To:The Urban Environment and Development Committee

 From:Interim Functional Lead, Transportation

 Subject:Proposed Westbound Right-Turn-On-Red Prohibition at Eglinton Avenue West and Chaplin Crescent

 North Toronto: Councillors Anne Johnston, Michael Walker

Midtown: Councillors John Adams, Ila Bossons

 Purpose:

 To improve the pedestrian crossing environment at the intersection of Eglinton Avenue West and Chaplin Crescent.

 Funding Sources:

 The funds for this work are contained in the Transportation Department's 1998 Current Budget Estimates. The estimated cost to install the signs is $500.00.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that:

 (1)westbound right-turns-on-red be prohibited at all times at the intersection of Eglinton Avenue West and Chaplin Crescent; and

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

 Background:

 In response to a public request forwarded by Councillor Michael Walker, our Department reviewed the feasibility of improving the environment for pedestrians crossing Eglinton Avenue West at Chaplin Crescent.

 Discussion:

 The intersection of Eglinton Avenue West and Chaplin Crescent is controlled by traffic signals. Chaplin Crescent intersects Eglinton Avenue West at an acute angle. Because of these intersection geometrics, the westbound stop bar is located approximately 18 metres east of the north leg of Chaplin Crescent. During the busiest eight-hour period of a typical weekday approximately 250 pedestrians cross the east leg of the intersection, while approximately 400 westbound right turns are made at this intersection during the same time period.

 During our field observations at this intersection it was noted that, when motorists make a westbound right turn while facing a red signal indication, they proceed past the stop bar and encroach into the pedestrian crosswalk on the east leg of the intersection. Because of the poor sightlines resulting from the skewed angle of the intersection, westbound motorists have to cross this crosswalk in order to gain a reasonable view of approaching northbound motorists on Chaplin Crescent. The encroachment of vehicles into the crosswalk creates a hazard for pedestrians crossing the east leg of the intersection.

 A similar problem does not exist for the eastbound approach, as the stop bar is in close proximity to the south leg of the intersection.

 A review of Toronto Police Service collision records over a five-year period ending December 31, 1996 did not reveal any collisions involving westbound right-turns-on-red.

 In order to reduce the potential for conflicts between westbound right-turning motorists and pedestrians crossing on the east leg of the intersection, it is recommended that westbound right-turns-on-red be prohibited at all times. There is sufficient intersection capacity to accommodate this modification.

 Conclusions:

 The prohibition of westbound right-turns-on-red will improve the pedestrian crossing environment at the intersection of Eglinton Avenue West and Chaplin Crescent.

 Contact Name:

 Jacqueline White, Acting Manager

Central Traffic Region

416-397-5021

 D. P. Floyd

Interim Functional Lead, Transportation

 Reviewed by Barry Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

 DB/cag