Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals:
Keele Street and Humberside Avenue.
The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (February
20, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation:
Purpose:
To propose the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Keele Street and Humberside Avenue, coincident
with the removal of the existing pedestrian crossover located immediately to the north of the intersection.
Funding Sources:
The funds associated with new traffic signal installations are contained in the Transportation Department's proposed
Capital Works Program under Project No. C-TR031. The estimated cost of installing traffic control signals on Keele Street
at Humberside Avenue is $50,000.00 including the removal of the existing pedestrian crossover.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) traffic control signals be installed at the intersection of Keele Street and Humberside Avenue;
(2) coincident with the traffic control signal installation, the existing pedestrian crossover be removed;
(3) installation be subject to the approval of the 1998 Capital Works Program and the securing of appropriate financing;
and
(4) the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.
Background:
At the request of Councillor David Miller, Transportation Department staff investigated the operational safety of the
pedestrian crossover on Keele Street at Humberside Avenue.
Discussion:
Keele Street, in the vicinity of Humberside Avenue, is a four-lane arterial roadway, and Humberside Avenue is a two-lane,
local roadway. A pedestrian crossover is located on Keele Street at the north curb of Humberside Avenue. During an
eight-hour study period, 389 pedestrians crossed Keele Street at Humberside Avenue. Adjacent traffic control signals are
located 410 metres to the south on Keele Street at Glenlake Avenue and 225 metres to the north on Keele Street at
Annette Street.
Transportation Department staff evaluated the operational characteristics of this pedestrian crossover location according to
the guidelines that were developed for the "Audit of Operational and Physical Suitability of Pedestrian Crossovers in
Metropolitan Toronto". The results are as follows:
| Standard or Criteria to be met
for physical suitability
of a pedestrian crossover. |
Met/Not Met |
Comment |
| Vehicle operating speed less than
60 kilometres per hour |
Not Met |
The speed limit on Keele Street is 50
kilometres per hour. The 85th percentile
speeds for northbound and southbound
traffic exceed this standard. |
| Not more than four lanes wide on a
two-way street, or more than three lanes
wide on a one-way street. |
Met |
Keele Street is a four-lane roadway. |
| Traffic volume less than 35,000 vehicles
per day (total both directions). |
Met
(marginally) |
An estimated 34,250 vehicles use Keele
Street daily. |
| No driveways or entrances nearby |
Not Met |
Driveways are located on the east side
of Keele Street approximately 24 metres
from Humberside Avenue and a
driveway is located adjacent to the
southbound TTC bus stop. |
| No significant volume of turning
movements which interfere with
pedestrian crossover |
Not Met |
A high volume of turning movements
occur during an eight-hour period in the
vicinity of the PXO. |
| No loading zones in the immediate
vicinity |
Not Met |
Northbound and southbound TTC bus
stops are located within close proximity
to the PXO. |
| Not less than 215 metres to another
pedestrian crossover or traffic control
device. |
Met |
Traffic control signals are located 225
metres to the north at Annette Street and
410 metres to the south at Glenlake
Avenue. |
| No visibility problems exist for either
pedestrians or motorists |
Not Met |
Sightlines are acceptable; however, are
reduced during TTC bus
loading/onloading activities. |
This pedestrian crossover location fails to meet five of the "environmental standards" listed above.
The collision records provided by the Toronto Police Service for the five-year period ending December 31, 1996, revealed
that there were six pedestrian-related collisions at Keele Street and Humberside Avenue. In five cases, the pedestrian was
struck within, or near, the pedestrian crossover and sustained minor injuries. In the other collision, the pedestrian was
struck while crossing Humberside Avenue on the east side of Keele Street. The Department is also aware of one pedestrian
collision which occurred in 1998 in the vicinity of this intersection.
A pedestrian crossing Keele Street, just north of this pedestrian crossover, was fatally injured after being struck by a
motorist on Keele Street. Based on the prevailing conditions, there are indications that the existing pedestrian crossover is
no longer the most appropriate traffic control device to provide for safe pedestrian crossings at this location. A traffic signal
warrant study determined that conditions do not numerically warrant the installation of traffic control signals. However, in
our judgement, the more positive form of control provided by traffic control signals is the proper treatment for this
location.
Following approval of a group of traffic signal installations, tender documents will be prepared, and qualified electrical
contractors will be asked to submit bids for this work. The installation of these traffic control signals is subject to the
approval of the 1998 Capital Works Program, which is scheduled to be considered by City Council on April 28, 1998.
Conclusions:
The existing pedestrian crossover on Keele Street at Humberside Avenue is no longer operating in a satisfactory manner.
Traffic control signals should be installed to improve the operational safety of this location.
Contact Name:
Ms. Jacqueline White, P.Eng., Acting Manager, Central Traffic Region, 397-5021.
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The Urban Environment and Development Committee reports, for the information of Council, also having had before it the
following communications:
(i) (March 10, 1998) from Mr. Robert Botten and Ms. Meg Young (Principal), Indian Road Crescent School Community
Council, expressing support for the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Keele Street and Humberside
Avenue; stating, however, some concern that, subsequent to the installation of the aforementioned traffic control signals,
there could be a further increase in traffic along Humberside Avenue; urging that the proposed traffic study of the area
surrounding the south portion of Keele Street take into account the need for possible further measures to prevent
commuting traffic from diverting off arterial roads, e.g., Keele and Annette Streets, onto residential streets such as
Humberside Avenue; and recommending that traffic counts regarding this matter be conducted during the school year in
order to fairly judge the impact on the schools located close to Keele Street; and
(ii) (March 20, 1998) from Mrs. Helen Hansen and Mrs. Joan Doiron, Toronto Pedestrian Issues Sub-Committee urging,
with respect to items regarding resurfacing of roads, new traffic control signals and other road changes, that full
consideration be given to the safety of pedestrians and other non-motorized road users; suggesting, with respect to road
resurfacing, that the work include better pavement markings and rumble strips, especially at intersections where many
collisions occur; further suggesting, with respect to the installation of traffic control signals, that pedestrians need an
adequate amount of time in which to cross the intersection; and reiterating the following recommendation which was made
by the Metropolitan Council at its meeting on October 8 and 9, 1997:
"(iii) that, in view of the high proportion of fatalities on Metro roads which involve pedestrian deaths, the Commissioner
of Transportation be requested to make the safety of pedestrians the number one priority in road design ...".
Mrs. Helen Hansen, Toronto Pedestrian Issues Sub-Committee appeared before the Urban Environment and Development
Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.
(A copy of the location plan, which was appended to the foregoing report, has been forwarded to all Members of Council
with the agenda of the March 23 and 24, 1998, meeting of the Urban Environment and Development Committee, and a
copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
