October 19, 1998

To:The Urban Environment and Development Committee

From:David C. Kaufman, General Manager, Transportation Services Division

Subject:Installation of Mid-Block Pedestrian Traffic Control Signals on Yonge Street, North of Shuter Street Downtown: Councillors Olivia Chow and Kyle Rae

Purpose:

To respond to a request from the former City of Toronto Council to install mid-block pedestrian traffic control signals on Yonge Street at the Trinity Way access to the Eaton Centre.

Funding Sources:

Funding for the installation of mid-block pedestrian traffic control signals will be provided under Phase One of the Downtown Yonge Street Improvement Plan, Capital Fund Code 216-650. The estimated cost of the installation is $55,000.00.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that mid-block pedestrian traffic control signals be installed on Yonge Street, at the Trinity Way entrance to the Eaton Centre, north of Shuter Street in conjunction with the installation of streetscape elements which would encourage pedestrians to use the new traffic control signals.

Background:

At its meeting on June 2 and 3, 1997, the former City of Toronto Council adopted Clause 7 in Report No. 7 of the City Services Committee, entitled "Pedestrian Crosswalk on Yonge Street at Trinity Way Access to the Eaton Centre (Ward 6)" and, in so doing, requested that a new pedestrian traffic control signal be installed on Yonge Street at the Trinity Way access to Eaton Centre. The rationale for this specific location is to add a link in a mid-block pedestrian thoroughfare extending from the Eaton Centre and connecting a public route that leads to Trinity Square Park, through to Toronto City Hall and University Avenue.

Discussion:

On the section of Yonge Street between Dundas Street and Shuter Street, pedestrians tend to cross at any point between the existing signals, whenever a gap in traffic is available. Collision statistics provided by Toronto Police Services over a five-year period ending December 31, 1997, indicate that ten collisions occurred involving a pedestrian crossing Yonge Street between Shuter Street and Dundas Street. Provision of a mid-block pedestrian signal at a location which could serve a large number of these pedestrian crossings, along with appropriate streetscaping elements to guide pedestrians to the signal, will provide a focal location for these crossings.

The Trinity Way pedestrian access to the Eaton Centre is located approximately 80 metres north of Shuter Street and approximately 170 metres south of Dundas Street. Normally, mid-block pedestrian signals are not recommended in such close proximity to existing signalized intersections because of the safety concerns that can result. When signalized intersections are closely spaced together, it is possible that drivers approaching the first traffic signal may focus on the signal indications at the next intersection. During periods of high traffic volume, it is possible that the queue of vehicles at one of the intersections may extend through the pedestrian signal resulting in some pedestrians crossing between vehicles. As well, a certain distance is required for motorists to apply their brakes and bring their vehicle to a stop upon seeing a red signal indication. At a speed of 60 kilometres per hour this safe stopping distance is 85 metres. At 50 kilometres per hour this safe stopping distance is 65 metres. When signals are in very close proximity, the concern is that motorists, proceeding through the first signal, would be unable to bring their vehicles to a stop before the second signal stop-bar.

From a traffic operations standpoint the preferable location for a signal would be half way between Dundas Street and Shuter Street, approximately 125 metres from both signals. However, given the goal of extending the mid-block pedestrian link at the location 80 metres north of Shuter Street, we have examined this location in detail to identify the measures required to mitigate the safety concerns that result from the close spacing of this proposed signal to the existing one at Shuter Street.

(1)Limited vision signal equipment. The signal equipment facing northbound traffic at the proposed signal, and those facing southbound traffic at the Shuter Street signal, will be fitted with specialized signal lenses that can be aimed so that motorists will not see the indications of the second intersection until they proceed through the first intersection.

(2)Simultaneous operation. The operation of the proposed Trinity Way signals will be linked to the Shuter Street signal.

(a)Phasing at each signal will be identical and simultaneous to minimize any driver confusion that could be caused by contradictory signal indications at the two intersections.

(b) This type of operation will reduce the probability of vehicle queues blocking the pedestrian signal.

(c)Simultaneous operation will address the safe stopping distance concerns to a certain degree. However, while the majority of vehicles will be able to proceed through both intersections on a green signal, there is a possibility that a vehicle proceeding through at the end of the green signal or on the amber signal could be faced with a red signal at the second intersection.

Councillors Kyle Rae and Olivia Chow have expressed no concerns with this proposal.

Conclusions:

The installation of mid-block pedestrian traffic control signals north of Shuter Street at the Trinity Way entrance to the Eaton Centre, would serve the pedestrian crossing needs in this area, and could be operated at this close proximity to existing signals if certain mitigating measures are taken.

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

RZO/JW/der/sah