Request for All-Way "Stop" Sign Control
- Intersection of Elvina Gardens and Erskine Avenue
(North Toronto)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that:
(1) "Stop" signs be installed for eastbound and westbound traffic on Erskine Avenue at
its intersection with Elvina Gardens;
(2) the appropriate City officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to
give effect to the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that
are required; and
(3) the matter be reviewed in one year.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (March 5, 1998) from the
Director of Infrastructure Planning and Transportation, City Works Services:
Purpose:
To consider a request to install an all-way "Stop" sign control at the intersection of Elvina
Gardens and Erskine Avenue.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
That this report be received for information.
Comments:
In response to concerns as set out in a petition from area residents, City Works Services staff
investigated the feasibility of installing an all-way "Stop" sign control at the intersection of
Elvina Gardens and Erskine Avenue. Councillor Michael Walker requested that this matter be
reported to Toronto Community Council.
Erskine Avenue at Elvina Gardens operates two-way with a pavement width of 8.53 metres and a
maximum speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour. Elvina Gardens intersects Erskine Avenue to
form a "T" type intersection and traffic is controlled by a "Stop" sign for northbound traffic on
Elvina Gardens.
Erskine Avenue east of Mount Pleasant Road does not connect with Bayview Avenue. However,
this street does serve as primary access to Mount Hope Cemetery located at the easterly end of
Erskine Avenue. Vehicular access to Bayview Avenue from the Cemetery is available only for
emergency purposes.
The results of a speed and volume survey conducted by City Works Services staff revealed low
traffic volumes on the subject section of Erskine Avenue (a combined twenty-four hour total of
512 vehicles for all approaches to the intersection). The traffic survey also revealed that the
incidence of speeding was quite low (only 25 vehicles over the same twenty-four hour period
exceeded the 40 kilometres per hour maximum speed limit). The volume and speed profiles on
both streets forming the subject intersection are considerably lower than those found on most
streets within the City of Toronto.
An examination of the Toronto Police Service accident records for this intersection for the three
year period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1995, revealed that there were no reported
collisions at this intersection. Although more recent data is not available, I am unaware of any
other collisions having been reported at this intersection since that time.
Having evaluated the intersection of Erskine Avenue and Elvina Gardens against the criteria
governing the installation of all-way "Stop" sign control, which include such factors as right-of-way conflicts, vehicular and pedestrian usage of the intersection, physical and geometric
configuration, surrounding area traffic control, this intersection does not satisfy the operational
elements for the installation of an all-way "Stop" sign control. Specifically, as noted above, the
traffic volumes on both streets are quite low, there is no evident speeding problem nor is there
any accident problem. Site inspection conducted by City Works Services staff has confirmed
that there are no physical characteristics at this intersection which would impair visibility for
either motorists or pedestrians and further, that the intersection appears to be operating safely.
Despite the evidence of very low traffic volumes, a low speed profile, no reported accident
experience and no unusual physical characteristics, residents were critical of staff for not
recommending the installation of all-way "Stop" control at this location. It should be recognized
that the criteria for all-way "Stop" installation in Toronto are considerably less stringent than
recommended traffic engineering practice. This intersection would not approach even these
relaxed criteria. Accordingly, staff have no basis for such a recommendation. It should also be
appreciated that the installation of a particular control in a case where its need is not
substantiated will not necessarily guarantee safer conditions. Experience has shown that such a
measure tends to erode driver respect and obeyance of these controls, leading to a high
proportion of non-compliance. This does not deliver the desired effect of enhancing the safe
operation of the intersection.
Although staff are unable to establish a technical basis for an all-way "Stop" sign control at this
intersection at this time, should Council wish to approve the request to install an all-way "Stop"
sign control at the intersection of Erskine Avenue and Elvina Gardens, then the following could
be adopted:
(1) That "Stop" signs be installed for eastbound and westbound traffic on Erskine Avenue at
its intersection with Elvina Gardens; and
(2) That the appropriate City Officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to
give effect to the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that are
required.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Teresa Carmichael, Traffic Investigator, 392-7771.