Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals:
Wilson Avenue at 1201 Wilson Avenue Access.
The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (April 17,
1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation:
Purpose:
To propose the installation of traffic control signals at the access to 1201 Wilson Avenue.
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 at the access to 1201
Wilson Avenue is $60,000.00.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)traffic control signals be installed on Wilson Avenue at the access to 1201 Wilson Avenue;
(2)installation be subject to the approval of the 1998 Capital Works Program and the securing of appropriate financing;
and
(3)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.
Background:
At the request of an employee of the Ministry of the Attorney General, located at 1201 Wilson Avenue, our Department
investigated the feasibility of installing pedestrian crossing protection on Wilson Avenue at the access to No. 1201 Wilson
Avenue. The complainant expressed concern that area residents as well as employees at No. 1201 Wilson Avenue have
difficulties crossing Wilson Avenue in this vicinity.
Discussion:
Wilson Avenue in the vicinity of 1201 Wilson Avenue is a five-lane roadway and the posted speed limit is 50 kilometres
per hour. There is an exclusive westbound left-turn lane at the access to 1201 Wilson Avenue. Eastbound and westbound
Toronto Transit Commission (T.T.C.) bus stops are located in bus bays, east of the access to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue. The
north side of Wilson Avenue is mainly high-density residential properties and the Downsview Government Plaza (formerly
the Ministry of Transportation) is located on the south side. Adjacent traffic control signals are located at Julian Road
approximately 303 metres to the west and at Keele Street approximately 465 metres to the east.
To determine the level of activity at the access to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue, our Department conducted a traffic signal
warrant study. The results of our study revealed that during an eight-hour count on a typical weekday, a total of 176
pedestrians were recorded crossing Wilson Avenue in close proximity to 1201 Wilson Avenue. The majority of pedestrians
recorded crossed in the 50 metres area east of the access to No. 1201 Wilson Avenue, near the T.T.C. bus stops. The results
of a traffic signal warrants study at the access to 1201 Wilson Avenue are tabled below:
Minimum Vehicular Volume Warrant 43 percent;
Delay to Cross Traffic Warrant100 percent; and
Collision Hazard Warrant 13 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.
Transportation Division staff reviewed the collision records provided by the Toronto Police Service for the five-year
period ending December 31, 1996. During this period two collisions have occurred which are of the type considered
susceptible to correction by the installation of traffic control signals. Neither of these collisions involved a pedestrian.
Although the Toronto Police Service collision records are incomplete for 1997, we are aware of a pedestrian collision at
this location which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old man.
Conclusion:
Based on the study results, traffic control signals are warranted at 1201 Wilson Avenue and this installation will improve
pedestrian and vehicular safety in this area.
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 May 19, 1998, meeting of the Urban Environment and Development Committee, and a copy thereof
is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)