Proposed Installation of All-Way Stop Controls

Yorkleigh Avenue and Freemont Avenue

 The Etobicoke Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report  (May 27, 1998) from the Commissioner of Works, Etobicoke District:

 Purpose:

 To evaluate a request for the installation of all-way stop controls at the intersection of Yorkleigh Avenue and Freemont Avenue.

 Funding Sources:

 The funds associated with the relocation of the regulatory signs are allocated in the 1998 Transportation Department=s Operating Budget.

 Recommendation:

 It is recommended that:

 (1)all-way stop controls not be erected at the intersection of Yorkleigh Avenue and Freemont Avenue;

 (2)the stop signs currently controlling northbound and southbound traffic on Yorkleigh Avenue be relocated to control the eastbound and westbound traffic on Freemont Avenue;

 (3)the effectiveness of this initiative be evaluated in six months; and

 (4)that the associated by-law (Attachment No. 1) receive Council approval.

 Background:

 The Transportation and Engineering Planning Division has received a request from Councillor Giansante for the installation of all-way stop controls at the intersection of Yorkleigh Avenue and Freemont Avenue. A map of the area is Attachment No. 2.

 Comments and Discussion:

 Yorkleigh Avenue and Freemont Avenue are classified as local roads. Each has a roadway width of approximately 7 metres, providing one lane of traffic per direction. The speed limit on both streets is 50 km/h; there are sidewalks located on the south side of Yorkleigh Avenue and the west side of Freemont Avenue; parking is permitted on both roadways for a maximum period of three hours.

 To assess traffic conditions at the intersection, the following information was obtained:

 (1)turning movement count study conducted at the intersection of Yorkleigh Avenue and Freemont Avenue;

 (2) automatic approach counts conducted at the intersection of Yorkleigh Avenue and Freemont Avenue;

 (3)radar speed studies conducted on Yorkleigh Avenue and Freemont Avenue; and

 (4)review of the three year accident history.

 Turning Movement Count Summary:

 The following chart summarizes the results of the turning movement counts undertaken on February 25, 1998, at the intersection of Yorkleigh and Freemont Avenues.

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 The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario has provided the following warrants for the installation of all-way stop controls on roads and streets considered to be neither arterial nor major collector streets:

 a)total vehicle volume on all intersection approaches must exceed 350 for the highest hour recorded; and

 b)a volume split should not exceed 65/35 for a four-way control.

 As noted in the turning movement count summary, the peak hour at this intersection is 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The total vehicle volume on all approaches during this hour is 164 vehicles and the vehicle volume split is 52/48. Although the volume split does meet the warrant requirement, the vehicle volume fails to meet the minimum requirement necessary to satisfy the vehicle volume warrant. The existing traffic volumes favour the stop controls for north and southbound traffic on Freemont Avenue as opposed to the signs presently controlling east and westbound traffic on Yorkleigh Avenue.

 Notwithstanding the results of the vehicular volume studies, there are a number of conditions that must also be addressed when considering the introduction of all-way stop controls at an intersection. The stop sign installation guidelines provided in the Highway Traffic Act, Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices, indicate that all-way stop controls should not be used under the following conditions:

 1)Where pedestrian protection--in particular school children--is a prime concern as this concern can usually be addressed by other means.

 2)As a speed control device.

 3)At intersections having less than three or more than four approaches.

 4)At offset or poorly defined intersections.

 5)On truck or bus routes unless in an industrial area where two such routes cross.

 6)On multi-lane approaches where a parked or stopped vehicle on the right will obscure the stop sign.

7)Where traffic would be required to stop on grades.

 8)As a method of deterring the movement of through traffic in a residential area.

 9)Where visibility of the sign is hampered by curves or grades and a safe stopping distance of less than 100 metres exists.

 10)Where any other traffic device controlling right-of-way is permanently in place within 250 metres, with the exception of a AYield@ sign.

 Three of these conditions are of concern at the intersection of Yorkleigh Avenue and Freemont Avenue: the roadway grade at the intersection; the driver visibility of the intersection and the safe stopping distance requirement on approach to the intersection; and the intersection definition.

The grade of the roadway on Yorkleigh Avenue at Freemont Avenue is 6 percent. This relatively steep grade on Yorkleigh inhibits the ability of a driver to start and, more importantly, stop a vehicle on a grade, particularly during inclement weather when pavement conditions are hazardous. The vertical curve on the eastbound approach reduces the driver=s visibility of the intersection to approximately 60 metres, 40 metres below the recommended safe stopping distance of 100 metres. Compounding the visibility issue is the poor definition of this intersection. Unlike more recently developed intersections where the roads are generally wider and curbs and sidewalks have been constructed, Yorkleigh Avenue is narrow and treed or landscaped to the road=s edges reflecting the more rural character of the neighbourhood. The features make the intersection less discernible to an approaching motorist.

 Radar Speed Studies:

 Radar speed studies conducted on Yorkleigh Avenue west of Freemont Avenue between 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. revealed an average speed of 48 km/h . Given the 50 KM/H legal speed limit, this speed is within acceptable levels.

Accident Analysis:

 An accident analysis for the last three years revealed that there have been no reportable accidents at the intersection of Freemont Avenue and Yorkleigh Avenue.

 Conclusions:

 Traffic conditions at the intersection of Yorkleigh Avenue and Freemont Avenue do not meet the minimum requirements of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario warrants for all-way stop controls. The traffic volumes and intersection configuration favour the relocation of the stop controls currently controlling northbound and southbound traffic on Yorkleigh Avenue to Freemont Avenue, to control the eastbound and westbound traffic.

 Contact Name:

 Gwyn Thomas, Manager, Traffic and Parking Operations - Transportation and Engineering Planning.

(416) 394-8414; Fax 394-8942.

 (Copies of Attachment Nos. 1-2, referred to in the foregoing report were forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the Etobicoke Community Council meeting May 27, 1998, and copies thereof are on file in the office of the City Clerk.)