Traffic and Parking Concerns on Vradenberg Drive

at Vradenberg Junior Public School

Ward 14 - Scarborough Wexford

 The Scarborough Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (June 29, 1998) from the Director of Road and Traffic Services, Scarborough:

 Purpose:

 To address the need for parking/stopping restrictions on Vradenberg Drive adjacent to Vradenburg Junior Public School.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 The $500.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of these parking and stopping restriction signs are available in the Road and Traffic Services 1998 Budget, Account No. 20000-70200-72260.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that:

 (1)the parking regulations identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;

 (2)the parking and stopping regulations identified in Appendix 2 of this report be adopted; and

 (3)the appropriate by-laws be amended accordingly.

Council Reference/Background/History:

 As a result of a telephone conversation between Principal Richard McLaren of Vradenburg Junior Public School and Road and Traffic Services staff, school related traffic/parking conditions were examined.

 Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Vradenberg Drive is a residential collector road located south of Sheppard Avenue between Pharmacy Avenue and Warden Avenue. A 40 kilometre per hour speed limit is posted on this road and appropriate school area signs exist warning motorists of the presence of children in the area. A walkway provides access from the community to the south side of the road, opposite the school. Along both sides of the road, parking is restricted between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

 Traffic Operation Studies

 Traffic studies were conducted on Monday, February 23, 1998 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The results of these observations are shown in the following tables.

  This table shows that most parents/guardians prefer to park directly abutting the school grounds, despite the existing "No Parking, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday" restrictions. Also, as shown by this table, some motorists choose to park on the 'opposite' side of Vradenberg Drive. This practice of parking on both sides of the street, even if it is only a couple of vehicles at a time, congests the roadway and restricts regular through traffic.

 This table also shows that some motorists choose to use both the school parking lot and the turning loop to pick-up/drop off their children. It was evident that staggered activity times at the school (e.g., daycare start times before regular school classes) helped to alleviate the parking demand.

 It was noted that several vehicles made three-point-turns in front of the school. Road and Traffic Services is concerned that motorists making "three-point turns" in a school area, add to the congestion.

 Pedestrian Observations - Vradenberg Drive

 Road and Traffic Services staff also recorded the volume and location of pedestrian crossings by the school on Vradenberg Drive. The following tables show these observations:

These tables reflect typical patterns of pedestrians passing to/from both schools during the respective admission and dismissal hours. In addition, although not shown on these tables, many pedestrian movements were associated to those vehicles waiting along side the school and therefore, these pedestrians did not cross Vradenberg Drive. It should also be stressed that, throughout our observations, no conflicts were recorded between any pedestrian and motorists.

 Collision History:

 In addition to the studies outlined above, Road and Traffic Services conducted a three-year collision review of the this area (1996, 1995 and 1994) that revealed that only two collisions have been reported during this time period.

 Both of these collisions occurred in 1994. The first of these involved a 21 year old bicyclist striking a stopped vehicle. Thankfully only minimal injuries were sustained by the bicyclist who was later charged. The remaining collision in 1994 involved one motorist failing to yield the right-of-way. No charges were laid in this collision. Further analysis is not warranted at this time because neither of these collisions could have been prevented with normal traffic management devices.

 Conclusions:

 Some alterations to the existing on-street parking restrictions along Vradenberg Drive can make them more consistent with changes at other schools. Specifically, installing "30 Minute Parking, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday" signs along the school/north side of the road such that vehicle passengers can directly access the school without having to cross in front of through traffic. This recommendation will provide sufficient room for approximately 14 private vehicles to park temporarily.

 Altering the remaining "No Parking, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" restriction opposite the front of the school to show the new restriction of "No Stopping, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m, Monday - Friday". This new restriction is recommended to discourage temporary parking on this side of the road.

 We have spoken with the Toronto Police, Community Programs Support Unit who have indicated that due to the relatively low pedestrian crossing volumes at this location, a school safety patrol program is not required. This program is first required to facilitate the installation of a School Crossing.

 Contact Name:

 Bruce Clayton

Supervisor, Traffic Investigations, Works and Emergency Services, Scarborough District

Telephone: 396-7844, Fax: 396-5681

E-mail: clayton@city.scarborough.on.ca

 Appendix 1

 "No Parking"

 Prohibition to be Rescinded

 Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4

HighwaySideFromToTimes or Days

 VradenbergBoth76.25 metres 112.85 metres7:00 a.m. to

DriveWest offurther west6:00 p.m.

Lowcrest BoulevardMonday to

Friday

Appendix 2

 "No Stopping"

 Prohibition to be Enacted

 Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4

HighwaySideFromToTimes or Days

 VradenbergSouth 76 metres west113 metres further8:00 a.m. to

Driveof Lowcrest west4:00 p.m.

BoulevardMonday to

Friday

 "Parking for Restricted Periods"

 Prohibition to be Enacted

 Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5

Maximum

Period

HighwaySideFromToTimes or DaysPermitted

 VradenbergNorth 76 metres113 metres8:00 a.m. to30 minutes

Drivewest offurther4:00 p.m.

LowcrestwestMonday to Friday