Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals:

Doris Avenue at Empress Avenue.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (January 28, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation:

Purpose:

To propose the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Doris Avenue and Empress Avenue, coincident with the removal of the pedestrian crossover (PXO) on Doris Avenue approximately 80 metres south of Empress Avenue at Princess Avenue.

Funding Sources:

The funds associated with new traffic control signal installations are contained in the Department's proposed Capital Program under Project No. C-TR031. The estimated cost of the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Doris Avenue and Empress Avenue is $66,000.00 including the removal of the existing PXO.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) traffic control signals be approved at the intersection of Doris Avenue and Empress Avenue;

(2) coincident with traffic control signal installation at Doris Avenue and Empress Avenue, the existing pedestrian crossover at Doris Avenue and Princess Avenue be removed;

(3) installation and removal 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:

In a letter dated August 1, 1997, the Commissioner of Transportation of the City of North York forwarded a copy of an extract of Clause No. 11 of Report No. 1 of The Transportation Committee, headed "Traffic Control Signals - Doris Avenue at Empress Avenue". The report was adopted by the former City of North York Council and recommended that the former Metropolitan Toronto be requested to install traffic control signals at the intersection of Doris Avenue and Empress Avenue.

Discussion:

Doris Avenue is a four-lane collector roadway and Empress Avenue is a two-lane collector roadway. Doris Avenue is part of the North York Downtown Service Road System. Traffic is stop-controlled on all approaches to the intersection.

Staff conducted a traffic signal warrant study at Doris Avenue and Empress Avenue. The results of that investigation are tabled below:

Warrant Compliance

(1) Minimum Vehicular Volume 100 percent

(2) Delay to Cross Traffic 80 percent

(3) Collision Hazard 27 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 meet the minimum technical requirements for the installation of traffic control signals. Based on the above-noted results, the minimum technical warrants for the installation of traffic control signals are satisfied at the intersection of Doris Avenue and Empress Avenue.

Transportation Department staff reviewed the collision records provided by the Toronto Police Service for a five-year period ending December 31, 1996. During this period, five collisions of the type susceptible to correction by the installation of traffic control signals have occurred at the intersection of Doris Avenue and Empress Avenue. There have been no pedestrian collisions recorded during this same time period.

The PXO at the intersection of Doris Avenue and Princess Avenue is located approximately 80 metres south of the proposed traffic control signals at the intersection of Doris Avenue and Empress Avenue. This resulting spacing between two traffic control devices would be well below the minimum desirable spacing of 215 metres and, therefore, requires that the existing PXO be removed.

The existing PXO at Princess Avenue primarily served pedestrians travelling between Yonge Street and Doris Avenue using the vacant Princess Avenue road allowance. The southwest corner of Doris Avenue and Empress Avenue is currently being developed and this pedestrian route is no longer available. The area pedestrian crossing demands will be accommodated at the proposed traffic control signals at Empress Avenue.

Neither Doris Avenue nor Empress Avenue 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:

Based on the study results, traffic control signals are warranted and recommended for the intersection of Doris Avenue and Empress Avenue and will improve traffic operations. Area pedestrian crossing demands will be served by the new traffic signals once the existing PXO is removed.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Mr. Bruce Zvaniga, Manager, North and West Traffic Regions, 392-8826.

(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.)