Pedestrian Crossing Protection and Parking Concerns
at Pauline Johnson Junior Public School on
Dunmurray Boulevard
Ward 14 - Scarborough Wexford
The Scarborough Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (March
16, 1998) from the Director, Road and Traffic Services, Scarborough:
Purpose:
To address the need for parking/stopping restrictions on Dunmurray Boulevard adjacent to
Pauline Johnson Junior Public School.
Funding Sources:
The $1,000.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of the parking/stopping restriction
signs are contained in the Road and Traffic Services 1998 Budget, Account Number
20000-70200-72260.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) the stopping regulations identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;
(2) the parking and stopping regulations identified in Appendix 2 of this report be adopted; and
(3) the appropriate by-law be amended accordingly.
Background:
At the request of former Scarborough Councillor Ron Watson, on behalf of the principal of
Pauline Johnson Junior Public School, Road and Traffic Services conducted traffic studies in the area of
this school. The issue of pedestrian safety was examined due to a number of vehicles dropping off and
picking up children adjacent to the school.
Discussion:
Pauline Johnson Junior Public School is located on Dunmurray Boulevard to the southwest of
Birchmount Road and Huntingwood Drive. Dunmurray Boulevard is a residential roadway with
appropriate signs in place to warn approaching motorists of the school area ahead. Currently, there is a
"No Stopping, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" restriction as well as a School Bus Loading
Zone along the southeast/school side of Dunmurray Boulevard. On the northwest side of Dunmurray
Boulevard there are no posted parking restrictions.
Parking Observations
Most motorists, when given an option, chose to park along the east side of Dunmurray Boulevard in
front of the school. The following table shows the results of these observations:
| Study Period 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., May 5/97 |
Study Period 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m., May 5/97 |
| Parking By School -
(East Side) Private
Vehicles within- 'No
Stopping, 7 a.m. - 6
p.m., Mon.-Fri.' |
20 |
Parking By School -
(East Side) Private
Vehicles within - 'No
Stopping, 7 a.m. - 6
p.m., Mon.-Fri.' |
9 |
| School Buses/Vans |
1 |
School Buses/Vans |
1 |
| Parking Opposite Side -
(West Side)
Private Vehicles - no
signed restrictions |
2 |
Parking Opposite Side -
(West Side)
Private Vehicles- no
signed restrictions |
2 |
| Parking Lot Use
- inbound
- outbound |
50
31 |
Parking Lot Use
- inbound
- outbound |
22
24 |
This table shows that most parents/guardians either ignored the existing stopping restrictions and parked
directly against the school or instead chose to use the school's parking lot to park temporarily. Some
motorists also parked on the west or opposite of the school side of the road and in so doing, severely
restricted the travel portion of the roadway to regular through traffic.
Pedestrian Crossing Observations
Road and Traffic Services staff also recorded the volume and location of pedestrian crossings by the
school. Fortunately, no conflicts were recorded between pedestrians and motorists during our studies.
The following tables show our observations:
|
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Pedestrian Crossings - Dunmurray Blvd, in front of school, May 5/97 |
| Pedestrians Crossing to the East Side
of Dunmurray Blvd (towards school) |
Pedestrians Crossing to the West Side
of Dunmurray Blvd (away from school) |
| Adults |
5 |
Adults |
6 |
| Assisted Children (with
adults) |
3 |
Assisted Children (with
adults) |
0 |
| Children crossing by
themselves |
1 |
Children crossing by
themselves |
0 |
|
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Pedestrian Crossings - Dunmurray Blvd., in front of school, May 5/97 |
| Pedestrians Crossing to the East Side
of Dunmurray Blvd (towards school) |
Pedestrians Crossing to the West Side
of Dunmurray Blvd (away from school) |
| Adults |
4 |
Adults |
3 |
| Assisted Children (with
adults) |
0 |
Assisted Children (with
adults) |
3 |
| Children crossing by
themselves |
0 |
Children crossing by
themselves |
3 |
These tables reveal that pedestrian traffic crossing Dunmurray Boulevard is quite light. In addition,
although not shown on these tables, many pedestrian movements were associated to those vehicles
waiting along side the school and therefore, these pedestrians did not cross over Dunmurray Boulevard.
Collision History
In addition to the studies outlined above, Road and Traffic Services conducted a four-year collision
review by the school (from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1996). No collisions have been reported on
Dunmurray Boulevard during this time.
Conclusions:
Alterations to existing on-street parking restrictions along Dunmurray Boulevard would make them
more consistent with recent changes to a number of other schools in Scarborough. Essentially, these
alterations involve emphasising 'school side' parking and discouraging even 'brief stopping' on the
opposite side of the road. This is done by erecting a 30 minute parking limit between the hours of 8:00
a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday on the southeast side of the road, while posting a "No
Stopping, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday" restriction on the northwest side of the road. If
properly adhered to, these restrictions will create sufficient room for approximately 20 vehicles to park
temporarily. The school principal has indicated her support for these recommendations.
Contact Name:
Gary H. Welsh
Director, Road and Traffic Services, Works and Environment, Scarborough District
Telephone: 396-5061
Fax: 396-5681
E-mail: welsh@city.scarborough.on.ca
Appendix 1
"No Stopping"
Prohibition to be Rescinded
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
Highway Side From To Times or Days
Dunmurray East Eaglestone Groomsport 7:00 a.m. to
Boulevard Road Crescent 6:00 p.m.
(North Leg) Monday to
Friday
Appendix 2
"No Stopping"
Prohibition to be Enacted
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
Highway Side From To Times or Days
Dunmurray West Eaglestone Groomsport 8:00 a.m. to
Boulevard Road Crescent 4:00 p.m.
(North Monday to
Intersection) Friday
"Parking for Restricted Periods"
Prohibition to be Enacted
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Maximum
Times Period
Highway Side From To or Days Permitted
Dunmurray East Eaglestone Groomsport 8:00 a.m. to 30 minutes
Boulevard Road Crescent 4:00 p.m.
(North Monday to Friday
Intersection)
