Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals:

Dundas Street West and Montrose Avenue.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (March 25, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation:

Purpose:

To obtain approval for the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Montrose Avenue.

Funding Sources:

The funds associated with new traffic control 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 on Dundas Street West at Montrose Avenue is $50,000.00.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)traffic control signals be approved at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Montrose Avenue; and

(2)installation be subject to the approval of the 1998 Capital Works Program and the securing of appropriate financing.

Background:

At the request of Councillor Joe Pantalone, Transportation Department staff investigated traffic operations at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Montrose Avenue.

Discussion:

Dundas Street West, in the vicinity of Montrose Avenue, is a four-lane roadway with a pavement width of 13.2 metres. Montrose Avenue is a two-lane, one-way southbound roadway and forms a "T"-type intersection at Dundas Street West on the north side. Montrose Avenue is located approximately 172 metres west of the signalized intersection of Dundas Street West and Grace Street and 193 metres east of Dundas Street West and Shaw Street. The land use is predominantly residential in this area. However, Bellwoods Park is situated on the south side of Dundas Street West in this vicinity. This park is used by the abutting community to hold numerous recreational, social and religious activities, especially during the spring and summer months.

The results of an eight-hour weekday traffic study disclosed that 359 pedestrians cross Dundas Street West in the vicinity of Montrose Avenue. Delays in excess of ten seconds are experienced by more than 50 percent of pedestrians. The number of pedestrians crossing Dundas Street West, in combination with the delays they experience, satisfy the technical requirements for the installation of a pedestrian crossover.

A review of the Toronto Police Services collision records for the five-year period ending December 31, 1996, disclosed a total of 11 collisions at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Montrose Avenue. Four of these were of the type considered potentially preventable by the installation of traffic control signals. One collision involved a pedestrian. In this particular case, which occurred in 1993, a pedestrian was struck by a westbound motorist while crossing Dundas Street West from the north side. The pedestrian sustained major injuries. The driver was not charged by the Police.

Despite fulfilling the warrant requirements for the installation of a pedestrian crossover, this location is not physically suitable for this type of device. Specifically, we have concerns with the level of parking, loading activity, and turning movements which would compromise the visibility of pedestrians within a pedestrian crossover and interfere with its operation. As an alternative, we are recommending the installation of traffic control signals.

Dundas Street West is a major arterial roadway. While the spacing between adjacent traffic control signals is less than desirable, local route speeds are sufficiently low that the installation of traffic control signals will provide overall benefits to public safety, and will not have a significant impact on the effectiveness of this arterial road.

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 29, 1998.

Conclusions:

A pedestrian crossover is warranted at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Montrose Avenue. However, this location is not suitable for a pedestrian crossover and the more positive form of pedestrian control provided by traffic control signals should be provided.

Contact Name:

Ms. Jacqueline White, Acting Manager, Central Traffic Region, 397-5021.

(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 April 20, 1998 meeting of the Urban Environment and Development Committee, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)