Purpose:

To address the need for parking/stopping restrictions on Goldhawk Trail adjacent to Agnes MacPhail Public School.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The $350.00 (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(1) the stopping regulations identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;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 Wayne Hamilton of Agnes MacPhail Public School and Road and Traffic Services staff, school related traffic/parking conditions were examined.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Goldhawk Trail is a residential collector road located north of McNicoll Avenue between McCowan Road and Brimley Road. 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. Along both sides of the road, "No Stopping, 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" restrictions are posted.

Traffic Operation Studies

Traffic studies were conducted on Monday, February 9, 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 following table shows that most motorists, when given an option, choose to park on-street along the north side of Goldhawk Trail in front of the school.

This table shows that parents/guardians choose to ignore the existing "No Stopping, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday" restrictions on both sides of Goldhawk Trail. However, there was a greater tendency for most parents/guardians to park directly abutting the school grounds while fewer motorists parked on the south or opposite side of the road. By changing the by-law on this street to allow temporary school side parking, we are attempting to maintain two lanes of travel through this area and increase pedestrian/motorist safety.

Other traffic observations in this area, shown on this table, indicate that no buses parked in front of the school during either the morning or afternoon pedestrian activity times. It should also be noted that while the parking lot was also used by some motorists, it is the responsibility of the school to manage the access of this portion of their property.

Pedestrian Crossing Observations

Road and Traffic Services staff also recorded the volume and location of pedestrian crossings by Agnes MacPhail Public School. Fortunately, no conflicts were recorded between any pedestrians and motorists during our studies. The following tables show our observations:

These tables reflect typical patterns of pedestrians passing to/from both schools during the respective admission and dismissal hours. Although not shown on these tables, many pedestrian movements were also associated to those vehicles waiting along side the school and, therefore, these pedestrians did not cross Goldhawk Trail.

Most of the pedestrian crossings were occurring at the all-way stop intersection of Goldhawk Trail at Hutchcroft Avenue. The occasional mid-block crossings occurred when pedestrians were generated by motorists parked on the south side of Goldhawk Trail. Again, most importantly, no conflicts between motorists or pedestrians were recorded during our study.

Collision History

In addition to the studies outlined above, Road and Traffic Services conducted a thorough three-year collision review by the school (1994, 1995 and 1996). Only two collisions were reported in this area of the school during this time. Both of these collisions occurred during non-school hours and involved nothing beyond minor property damage. Given the nature of these driver error collisions, additional analysis is not required at this time.

Conclusions:

Some alterations to the existing on-street parking restrictions along Goldhawk Trail 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 directly in front of the school such that private vehicle passengers can directly access the schools without having to cross in front of through traffic. This recommendation will provide sufficient room for approximately 8 private vehicles to park temporarily.

Altering the "No Stopping, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" restrictions on the south side of Goldhawk Trail to show the new restriction hours of "No Stopping, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m, Monday - Friday". The new restrictions hours are recommended because it will make them more consistent with many other recently altered signs in school areas in the Scarborough District.

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 Stopping"

Prohibition to be Rescinded

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4

Highway Side From To Times or Days