Traffic Management Plan - St. Andrews Community -

North York Centre South

The North York Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (July 10, 1998) from the Deputy Commissioner of Transportation, North York Civic Centre:

Purpose:

To install on a temporary basis, two sets of speed humps, stopping restrictions adjacent to speed cushions, and a 40 km/h zone on Upper Canada Drive. Installation of all way stop controls at the intersections of Fenn Avenue with Upper Highland Crescent and Aldershot Crescent with Yorkminster Road.

Source of funds:

All costs associated with the installation of the speed humps, traffic control signing and the installation of the all way stop controls are included within the 1998 operating budget.

Recommendations:

(1)that two sets of speed humps be installed on Upper Canada Drive, for a six month period;

(2)that By-law No. 31878, of the former City of North York be amended to designate Upper Canada Drive, from Lord Seaton Road (westerly limit) to the easterly limit of Upper Canada Drive as a 40 km/h zone;

(3)that Schedule IX of By-law No. 31001, of the former City of North York be amended to install "No Stopping at Any Time" restrictions adjacent to the speed humps; and

(4)that Schedules XVII and XIX of By-law No. 31001, of the former City of North York be amended to require traffic to stop on all approaches to the intersections of Fenn Avenue with Upper Highland Crescent and Aldershot Crescent with Yorkminster Road.

Council Reference/Background/History:

The Transportation Division in accordance with the former City of North York Council Policy for Traffic Calming, has met with the residents of the community and Councillor Joanne Flint to address the concerns of the residents with respect to traffic related issues. A Traffic Work Group comprised of the residents of the area and staff was established to identify the specific concerns of the community and to develop a traffic management plan which will be considered appropriate and acceptable by the community.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The Traffic Work Group, in conjunction with staff of the Transportation Division of the Works and Emergency Services Department, have reviewed various locations throughout the community which were identified as problematic locations.

At a majority of the locations it was determined that the existing situations could be improved by either the installation of additional signing and or pavement markings. However at the intersections of Fenn Avenue with Upper Highland Crescent and Aldershot Crescent with Yorkminster Road it was determined that these intersections be considered for the installation of an all way stop control.

When examining an intersection for the feasibility of installing an all way stop control, consideration is given to the road classification and alignments (vertical and horizontal), vehicle and pedestrian volumes, delay to minor street traffic, collision history, vehicle and pedestrian sight lines, and existing pavement markings and signage.

A portion of the above information is then tabulated to determine if the technical warrant for the installation of an all way stop control is met. Notwithstanding, where existing geometric characteristics of the intersection or specific site conditions would support the installation of an all way stop control, consideration is given.

Therefore, in the instance of the intersections of Fenn Avenue with Upper Highland Crescent and Aldershot Crescent with Yorkminster Road it was determined that due to the alignment at these intersections an all way stop control be installed. Accordingly, the Traffic Work Group and Councillor Joanne Flint have obtained the endorsement of the community at a public meeting held in the community.

Twenty-four hour vehicle speed and volumes counts conducted on Upper Canada Drive have indicated that during the morning peak periods, vehicle speeds can be deemed excessive. The Traffic Work Group has examined various methods of improving the traffic situation on Upper Canada Drive, from the installation of all way stop controls to the installation of appropriate traffic calming measures.

The Work Group, with the endorsement of Councillor Flint and the residents in attendance at the public meeting held on June 22, 1998, have requested the installation of speed humps on Upper Canada Drive.

The speed humps that will be used at these locations are specially designed to minimize the impact on transit vehicles. These speed humps are called 'speed cushions' and occupy part of the traffic lane in which they are installed and are generally located in pairs. The height of the speed cushion is 7.5 centimetres. The intent of a speed cushion is to alter the driving behaviour of motorists, and not interfere or disrupt transit vehicle operations. This is achieved by designing the width of the speed cushion to accommodate a standard wheel base of a transit vehicle.

Operational characteristics of speed humps/cushions have been reviewed by the City's Emergency Services Departments, Road Maintenance Divisions, and the Toronto Transit Commission, resulting in a general approval of these measures as a speed control.

The Toronto Transit Commission, Ambulance Services, Fire Services and Police Services have been requested to provide this department with their comments on the installation of speed cushions on Upper Canada Drive so that any specific concerns may be addressed prior to installation.

Conclusions:

In view of the above, the Transportation Division supports the installation of the traffic calming measures proposed for Upper Canada Drive, and the installation of the all-way stop controls. In accordance with the former City of North York's Traffic Management Plan adopted by Council, that the Works and Emergency Services Department, Transportation Division, will report back to Council in six months on the effectiveness of the traffic calming proposal.

Contact Name:

Mr. Michael Frederick, Director of Operations, at 395-7484