Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals:

Sewells Road and Brenyon Way.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (February 13, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation:

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to obtain approval for the installation of traffic control signals and the removal of an existing pedestrian crossover (PXO) at the intersection of Sewells Road and Brenyon Way.

Funding Sources:

The funds associated with new traffic signal installations are contained in the Transportation Department's proposed Capital Program under Project No. C-TR031. The estimated cost of installing traffic control signals and removing an existing PXO at Sewells Road and Brenyon Way is $98,000.00.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) traffic control signals be approved at the intersection of Sewells Road and Brenyon Way;

(2) coincident with the traffic control signal installation, the existing pedestrian crossover at Sewells Road and Brenyon Way 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 staff of the former City of Scarborough Works and Environment Department in 1997, an investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of replacing the existing PXO with traffic control signals at Sewells Road and Brenyon Way.

Discussion:

Sewells Road in the vicinity of Brenyon Way is a four-lane collector road with a two-way, 24-hour traffic volume of approximately 18,870. A PXO is located on the west leg of the intersection. Adjacent traffic control signals are located 250 metres to the west at Neilson Avenue and 350 metres to the east at McLevin Avenue.

An eight-hour traffic control signal warrant study was conducted and revealed that traffic control signals are technically warranted. The results are listed below:

Warrant Compliance

(1) Minimum Vehicular Volume 81 percent

(2) Delay to Cross Traffic 87 percent

(3) Collision Hazard 33 percent

Either Warrant 1 or Warrant 2 should be 100 percent satisfied or any two of the three warrants should be 80 percent satisfied to satisfy the minimum technical requirements for the installation of traffic control signals. The "Collision Hazard" warrant is based on the number of collisions that occurred at the intersection in a three-year period which were potentially preventable by the installation of traffic control signals. Collision statistics provided by the Toronto Police Service indicate five collisions over the three-year period from January 1, 1994, to December 31, 1996, that were potentially preventable by the installation of traffic control signals. Based on the above information, the technical warrants for the installation of traffic control signals are met.

Neither Sewells Road nor Brenyon Way are major arterial roads and the installation of traffic control signals will not impact the network of arterial roads. Furthermore, the signals will provide benefits to all road users in the immediate area.

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:

Traffic control signals are technically warranted and are recommended at the intersection of Sewells Road and Brenyon Way.

Contact Name:

Mr. Martin Maguire, Acting Manager, East Traffic Region, 392-5243.

(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.)