June 18, 1998
To: The Urban Environment and Development Committee
From: General Manager, Transportation Services
Subject: Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals
Adelaide Street West and Brant Street
Downtown: Councillors Olivia Chow and Kyle Rae
Purpose:
To install traffic control signals and remove the existing
pedestrian crossover at the intersection of Adelaide Street West
and Brant Street.
Funding Sources:
The funds associated with new traffic control signal
installations are contained in the Works and Emergency Services
Department's Capital Budget under Project No. C-TR031. The
estimated cost to install traffic control signals and to remove
the existing pedestrian crossover is $45,000.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) traffic control signals be installed at the intersection
of Adelaide Street West and Brant Street, coincident with the
removal of the existing pedestrian crossover; and
(2) the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.
Background:
In response to a public request, our Department reviewed
traffic operations at the intersection of Adelaide Street West
and Brant Street.
Discussion:
Adelaide Street West is a four-lane arterial roadway, which
operates one-way eastbound. Approximately 15,000 vehicles use
this roadway daily during a typical weekday. Brant Street is a
two-lane, two-way local roadway controlled by "Stop"
signs at Adelaide Street West. A pedestrian crossover is located
on the west leg of this intersection. Adjacent traffic signals
are located on Adelaide Street West at Portland Street,
approximately 205 metres to the west, and at Spadina Avenue,
approximately 215 metres to the east. St. Andrew’s
Playground and the Brant Street Public School are located on the
west side of Brant Street, north and south of Adelaide Street
West, respectively.
Studies were conducted at this intersection during the busiest
eight-hour period of a typical weekday. Approximately 250
pedestrians were observed crossing Adelaide Street West within
the pedestrian crossover during this period. Also, the technical
warrants for the installation of traffic control signals are
satisfied at this intersection to the following extent:
Warrant 1 - Minimum Vehicular Volume 94 per cent.;
Warrant 2 - Delay to Cross Traffic 82 per cent.; and
Warrant 3 - Collision Hazard 100 per cent.
Either Warrant 1 or Warrant 2 must be 100 per cent. satisfied
or any two of the three warrants must be 80 per cent. satisfied
before the installation of traffic control signals is numerically
warranted. This intersection satisfies the required warrants for
the installation of traffic control signals.
A review of the Toronto Police Service collision records for
the three-year period ending December 31, 1996 disclosed that 21
collisions had occurred at the intersection of Adelaide Street
West and Brant Street. Further analysis revealed that 18 of these
collisions were potentially preventable by the installation of
traffic control signals. Nine of these collisions involved a
northbound motorist colliding with an eastbound motorist, while
seven collisions involved a southbound motorist colliding with an
eastbound motorist. Furthermore, two collisions involved a
pedestrian. In both of these collisions, an eastbound motorist
struck a southbound pedestrian crossing within the pedestrian
crossover. The pedestrians involved were not seriously injured,
and the investigating Police officer charged the driver of the
vehicle in both cases.
The installation of traffic control signals at this
intersection will not have a significant negative impact on the
operation of Adelaide Street West. However, the installation of
traffic control signals will necessitate the removal of six
parking spaces on the north side of Adelaide Street West, three
to the east and three to the west of Brant Street, in order to
maintain safe and efficient traffic operations within 30.5 metres
of the intersection.
Councillors Olivia Chow and Kyle Rae were advised and they
support the proposed installation of traffic control signals,
coincident with the removal of the existing pedestrian crossover.
Conclusions:
Traffic control signals should be installed, coincident with
the removal of the existing pedestrian crossover, at the
intersection of Adelaide Street West and Brant Street to improve
the operational safety for pedestrians and motorists.
Contact Name:
Jacqueline White, Acting Manager
Central Traffic Region
(416) 397-5021
D. C. Kaufman
General Manager, Transportation Services
Reviewed by Barry Gutteridge
Commissioner, Works & Emergency Services
