Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals:
Islington Avenue, North of Winnipeg Road.
The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (March 19,
1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation:
Purpose:
To propose the installation of pedestrian-activated traffic control signals on Islington Avenue, approximately 25 metres
north of Winnipeg Road, coincident with the removal of the existing pedestrian crossover (PXO) at this location.
Funding Sources:
The funds associated with new traffic control signal installations are contained in the Department's Capital Budget
projections under Project No. C-TR031. The estimated cost of the installation of traffic control signals on Islington
Avenue, 25 metres north of Winnipeg Road, is $57,000.00 including the removal of the existing PXO.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)pedestrian-activated traffic control signals be installed on Islington Avenue, approximately 25 metres north of
Winnipeg Road;
(2)coincident with the pedestrian-activated 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:
This location was investigated at the request of a member of the local community. There is concern that the existing PXO,
which serves the local community, is unsafe for pedestrians and, therefore, should be replaced with pedestrian-activated
traffic control signals.
Discussion:
Islington Avenue in this vicinity is a four-lane arterial roadway, with left-turn lanes, and a posted speed limit of 60
kilometres per hour. Winnipeg Road forms a "T"-type intersection from the east approximately 25 metres south of the
existing PXO. Fenley Drive forms a "T"-type intersection from the west, approximately 50 metres north of the existing
PXO. Adjacent traffic control signals on Islington Avenue are located approximately 510 metres to the north of the PXO, at
Dixon Road, and 485 metres to the south at The Westway.
There are approximately 102 pedestrians crossing Islington Avenue at the subject PXO during an eight-hour period of a
typical weekday.
We have evaluated the operational characteristics of this PXO location according to the guidelines that were developed for
the "Audit of Operational and Physical Suitability at Pedestrian Crossovers in Toronto". The results are as follows:
| Standards or Criteria to be met
for Physical Suitability of a PXO |
Met/Not Met |
Comment |
| Vehicle operating speed less than
60 kilometres per hour |
Not met |
85th percentile speed
is greater than
60 kilometres per hour |
| Not more than four lanes wide |
Not Met |
4 lanes + left-turn lane |
| Traffic volume less than 35,000 vehicles
per day |
Met |
32,200 vehicles per day |
| No driveways or entrances nearby |
Met |
No driveways in area |
| No significant volume of turning
movements which interfere with the PXO |
Not Met |
Turning movements at
Winnipeg Road and
Fenley Drive |
| No visibility problems exist for either
pedestrians or vehicles |
Met |
PXO is located at the
crest of a hill |
| No loading zones (including TTC) in the
immediate vicinity |
Not Met |
Southbound TTC stop in
immediate area |
| Not less than 215 metres to another PXO
or traffic control device |
Met |
Traffic control signals
are located 510 metres to
the north at Dixon Road
and 485 metres to the
south at The Westway |
This location does not meet four of the criteria listed above, specifically the operating speed, road width, volume of turning
vehicles and the loading zones in immediate area.
Transportation Department staff reviewed the collision records provided by the Toronto Police Service for the five-year
period ending December 31, 1996. During this period three collisions have occurred involving pedestrians in the PXO. One
of these collisions involved a 44-year-old woman who received minor injuries. The driver of the vehicle was charged in
this collision. The second collision involved a 63-year-old woman who received minor injuries. The driver of the vehicle
was charged in the collision. The third collision involved two girls, one aged 12 and one aged 13. Both of the girls received
major injuries. The driver of the vehicle was charged.
Islington Avenue is a major arterial road. Given the adequate spacing between adjacent traffic control signals, the
replacement of the PXO with traffic control signals will not have a significant impact on the effectiveness of this arterial
link within the network of arterial roads.
Consideration was given to replacing the existing PXO with traffic control signals at either the "T" intersection of Islington
Avenue at Winnipeg Road or at Fenley Drive. However, existing pedestrian crossing patterns are well-established at the
mid-point with the TTC bus stops located adjacent to the existing PXO. A southbound far-side bus bay is also present.
Furthermore, the existing PXO location, 25 metres north of Winnipeg Drive, is at the crest of a hill and is, therefore, the
most appropriate location for this device from a sight line perspective.
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.
Conclusion:
The existing PXO on Islington Avenue, north of Winnipeg Road, is no longer operating in a satisfactory fashion.
Pedestrian-activated traffic control signals should be installed to improve pedestrian safety at this location.
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 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.)
