March 31, 1998

 To:The Urban Environment and Development Committee

 From:Interim Functional Lead, Transportation

 Subject:Bayview Avenue from Balliol Street to Soudan Avenue/Parkhurst Boulevard - Request to permit parking in the off-peak direction during the morning and afternoon peak periods

 North Toronto; Councillors Anne Johnston, Michael Walker

East York; Councillors Case Oates, Michael Prue

 Purpose:

 To assess the implications of a proposal from merchants on both sides of Bayview Avenue between Balliol Street and Soudan Avenue/Parkhurst Boulevard to provide parking in the Aoff-peak@ direction during peak periods due to a shortage of available on-street and off-street parking facilities.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 Not applicable.

 Recommendations:

 That this report be forwarded to the Toronto and East York Community Councils for information.

 Background:

 A meeting held on February 27, 1998, attended by North Toronto Councillors Anne Johnston and Michael Walker, East York Councillors Michael Prue and Case Ootes, a representative of Bayview Avenue merchants and staff of the Parking Authority of Toronto and Works and Emergency Services, was convened, among other things, to consider the feasibility of allowing on-street parking at the existing parking meters on both sides of Bayview Avenue, from Balliol Street to Soudan Avenue/Parkhurst Avenue in the Aoff-peak@ direction of travel during the weekday morning and afternoon peak periods. Staff have been requested by the area Councillors to submit a report simultaneously to the Toronto and East York Community Councils examining the implications of the above proposal to create additional on-street parking for patrons. Some business people are of the opinion that this may improve the viability of local businesses. Staff of the Toronto, East York and Metro Hall offices have participated in this assessment and the preparation of this report.

Comments:

 The Bayview Avenue merchants= representative noted the urgency of having additional on-street and off-street parking facilities made available for patrons as there is insufficient parking supply to accommodate current needs. While it was agreed that the Parking Authority of Toronto would conduct a search for possible sites for an off-street facility in the immediate vicinity, a short-term solution is desired. The proposal is to allow parking at the existing parking meters on Bayview Avenue in the Aoff-peak@ direction during the morning and afternoon peak periods. The stopping prohibition would be maintained in the peak direction of travel (i.e. stopping would still be prohibited on the west side of Bayview Avenue from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Monday to Friday, and on the east side of Bayview Avenue from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday).

 Bayview Avenue is a four lane arterial roadway which operates two-way on a pavement width of approximately 14 metres with a maximum speed limit of fifty kilometres per hour. Two Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus routes (Bayview No. 11 and Davisville No. 28) operate on the subject section of Bayview Avenue.

 The following parking regulations are in effect:

 West side (within the Toronto Community Council area):

 -Stopping is prohibited from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Monday to Friday;

-Parking is prohibited from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday;

-Parking is permitted for a maximum period of two hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays (controlled by parking meters from Davisville Avenue to Soudan Avenue/Parkhurst Boulevard); and

-Parking is otherwise permitted for a maximum period of three hours.

 East side (within the East York Community Council area):

 -Stopping is prohibited from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday;

-Parking is prohibited from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Monday to Friday;

-Parking is permitted for a maximum period of two hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays (controlled by parking meters from St. Cuthbert=s Road to Soudan Avenue/Parkhurst Boulevard); and

-Parking is otherwise permitted for a maximum period of three hours.

  The results of traffic volume surveys (taken at mid-block locations) on the subject section of Bayview Avenue are summarized in the following table:

 To provide the basis of assessment and to put the above statistics into context, I note that the theoretical capacity of a roadway of this nature is 700 to 800 vehicles per hour per lane. This will be considerably less if the lane is also encumbered by vehicles jockeying in and out of parking stalls. As can be seen from the table, the traffic volumes exceed the capacity available in only one lane during both the morning and afternoon peak periods. Also, during the afternoon peak period, the volumes are essentially the same in both directions, meaning that there is effectively no off-peak direction.

 Site investigations were conducted by staff during the off-peak periods when curb lane parking is permitted on both sides and traffic volumes are lower. We observed significant congestion and traffic delays for northbound and southbound vehicular traffic. Similar congestion has also been observed on weekends when parking in both directions is permitted. This congestion has an adverse impact on TTC bus operations, resulting in delays to transit passengers.

 In view of the foregoing, rescindment of the parking prohibitions on the east side in the morning, and on the west side in the afternoon would in all likelihood result in severe traffic congestion along this section of Bayview Avenue, characterized by lengthened travel times, extensive delays and deterioration in the transit service.

 It should also be noted that the traffic control signals on Bayview Avenue are controlled in a traffic adaptive mode(SCOOT) which responds to traffic conditions by receiving input from detector loops imbedded in the roadway. Peak period parking in the curb lanes would significantly impact the effectiveness of the SCOOT system to respond to traffic conditions during peak periods. Motorists on this section of Bayview Avenue would lose the advantages of an adaptive signal control system and would experience longer delays and more frequent stops. Revalidation of the system would be required and it may be necessary to relocate the existing detector loops.

 Although parking may generally be seen to be of direct benefit to the business proprietors, there may be an unacceptable trade-off in that the traffic conditions could have the opposite effect and dissuade potential patrons from visiting the area during these times. The other problem that could grow out of conditions of this nature on the arterial route could be that frustrated drivers may be inclined to divert to the residential streets of Leaside and South Eglinton to by-pass Bayview Avenue.

 Conclusion:

 The existing parking prohibitions should be maintained on both sides of Bayview Avenue during the peak periods. The adverse impacts that would result from providing parking in the Aoff-peak@ direction during peak periods outweigh any benefits that would be gained by the business proprietors with the provision of additional on-street parking.

 Contact Names and Telephone Numbers:

 Stephen Benjamin, Manager of Transportation Operations, 392-7771.

Jacqueline White, Acting Manager, Central Traffic Region, 397-5021

 D. P. Floyd

Interim Functional Lead, Transportation

 Reviewed by Barry Gutteridge

Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services