October 5, 1998

To:The Urban Environment and Development Committee

From:General Manager, Transportation Services

Subject:Proposed Relocation of the Pedestrian Crossover and Extension of the Eastbound Left-Turn Prohibition at Dundas Street West and Humberside Avenue

Davenport: Councillors Betty Disero and Dennis Fotinos

Purpose:

To relocate the existing pedestrian crossover (PXO) and extend the hours that the existing eastbound left-turn prohibition is in effect at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Humberside Avenue in order to improve the operational safety of this intersection.

Funding Sources:

The funds associated with the relocation of the PXO and the installation of the eastbound left-turn prohibition are contained in the Transportation Services Division's 1998 Current Budget. The estimated cost of these works is $16,000.00.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the existing pedestrian crossover on Dundas Street West, immediately north of Humberside Avenue, be relocated 15 metres further north thereof;

(2)the existing eastbound left-turn prohibition at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Humberside Avenue, which is currently in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, be extended to be in effect at all times; and

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

Background:

As a result of two public inquiries,Transportation Services staff have reviewed the operation of the pedestrian crossover (PXO) and eastbound left-turn movements at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Humberside Avenue.

Discussion:

A PXO is located on the north leg of the Dundas Street West and Humberside Avenue intersection. During the busiest eight-hour period of a typical weekday approximately 100 pedestrians use this PXO to cross Dundas Street West. The majority of these pedestrians are adults crossing to/from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus stops at this intersection. The technical warrants for the installation of traffic control signals at this intersection are not satisfied.

Because of the curvilinear characteristic of Dundas Street West near Humberside Avenue, the existing sightlines for pedestrians and southbound motorists are not ideal. The minimum recommended stopping sight distance for a roadway with a 50 km/h speed limit like Dundas Street West is 65 metres. The existing sightlines between eastbound pedestrians and southbound motorists are approximately 55 metres. To mitigate this concern, we have determined that it is feasible to relocate the existing PXO northerly by approximately 15 metres. The proposed relocation would increase the visibility for pedestrians and approaching traffic on Dundas Street West. In conjunction with the proposed relocation of the PXO, staff of the TTC support the relocation of the southbound bus stop from the existing near side location at the intersection to a far side location, south of Humberside Avenue, to further enhance visibility for pedestrians.

To increase southbound motorists' awareness of the PXO, we have installed a "PXO Ahead" and "Hidden Intersection Ahead" sign, on Dundas Street West north of Humberside Avenue. Also, we have removed newspaper vending boxes and some vegetation, which has improved the visibility at this intersection. All other environmental criteria at this location are suitable for a PXO.

At this intersection eastbound left turns are prohibited during weekday morning and afternoon peak periods. As noted above, the minimum recommended stopping sight distance for southbound motorists is 65 metres. However, the existing sightlines between southbound through and eastbound left-turning motorists are approximately 45 metres. Therefore, for safety reasons, eastbound left turns should be prohibited at all times at this intersection. This prohibition would displace approximately five vehicles per hour. These motorists would have a number of feasible alternates (i.e.: Kenneth Avenue, Jerome Street, Abbott Avenue and Indian Road) to access Dundas Street West. As a result, traffic impacts in this community would be negligible.

A review of the Toronto Police Service collision records over a three-year period ending December 31, 1997 disclosed that nine collisions had occurred at this intersection. One of these involved a pedestrian. In this particular collision a northbound motorist, who passed a stopped TTC bus, struck a pedestrian who was crossing Dundas Street West from the east side within the PXO. The pedestrian sustained minor injuries and the investigating officer charged the driver. There were also three collisions between eastbound left-turning and southbound through motorists. It is likely that inadequate sightlines were a partial contributor to the collisions.

Councillors Betty Disero and Dennis Fotinos support the proposed relocation of the PXO and extension of the eastbound left-turn prohibition at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Humberside Avenue.

Conclusions:

For safety reasons, at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Humberside Avenue, the PXO should be relocated northerly by approximately 15 metres and eastbound left turns should be prohibited at all times.

Contact Name:

Jacqueline White, Acting Manager

Central Traffic Region

416-397-5021

David C. Kaufman

General Manager, Transportation Services

Barry H. Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

VJS/der