May 17, 1999
To:East York Community Council
From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1
Subject:Traffic Concerns at Gardens Crescent and Westview Boulevard (Ward 1)
Purpose:
To report to the East York Community Council on the feasibility of implementing all-way
stop control and throat narrowings at the intersection of Gardens Crescent and Westview
Boulevard.
Financial Implications:
There are no financial implications associated with the recommendations of this report.
Recommendations:
That this report be received for information.
Background:
East York Community Council, at its meeting of November 12, 1998, in considering a
communication (October 19, 1998) from Mr. Allen Gaw, East York, requested that the
Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services report on the feasibility of implementing
all-way stop control at the intersection of Gardens Crescent and Westview Boulevard, and to
include in the report: 1) the feasibility of narrowing the throats of the streets at the intersection
of Gardens Crescent and Westview Boulevard in order to make it more difficult to make
U-turns; and 2) an estimate of the costs involved.
Comments:
Transportation Services staff conducted a traffic study at both intersections of Gardens
Crescent and Westview Boulevard to evaluate the feasibility of all-way stop control. Based
upon this study, all-way stop control is not warranted at either location at this time. An
analysis of reported collisions for the five-year period from November 1, 1993 to November
30, 1998, revealed one collision in 1996 in which an eastbound vehicle at the north
intersection of Gardens Crescent and Westview Boulevard failed to yield the right-of-way to a
southbound vehicle on Westview Boulevard. The all way stop warrants are illustrated in
Appendix 'A'.
A speed radar study was also conducted on a typical day to ascertain vehicle speeds on
Westview Boulevard, in the vicinity of Gardens Crescent. Westview Boulevard is a posted 40
km/h zone. The results of this investigation revealed that the 85th percentile speed (the speed at
which 85 percent of traffic is travelling at or below) is 51 km/h. Given these speeds, we will
forward an enforcement request to the Toronto Police Service for any appropriate action
deemed necessary. The results of our speed study indicates that the speed limit on Westview
Boulevard is artificially low. Motorists generally drive at a speed at which they are
comfortable, considering the roadway geometry and adjacent land uses.
Staff contacted Mr. Gaw regarding the proposed throat narrowings at this intersection, in
which he advised that they would like to see the intersection narrowed in a manner similar to
the work done at the intersection of Yardley Avenue at Westview Boulevard, where the curb
radii at the northeast corner was reduced and a new sidewalk was installed.
Staff compared the curb lines of the intersection of Yardley Avenue at Westview Boulevard
with those intersections of Gardens Crescent at Westview Boulevard (see Appendix B).
Generally, the curb line at the northeast corner of Gardens Crescent at Westview Boulevard is
similar to the intersection of Yardley Crescent at Westview Boulevard. There is a significant
difference in the curb lines at the southeast corner of the intersection, as shown in Appendix
'B'. The cost to extend the curb line at the southeast corner of Gardens Crescent at Westview
Boulevard is estimated at $10,000.00.
The collision history, traffic volumes and speed do not justify a curb realignment at Gardens
Crescent and Westview Boulevard at this time. It is appropriate to include this type of work at
this and other intersections in this area when the streets are resurfaced at a future date.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Bryan Muir, Work Zone Coordinator
397-4588
bmuir@borough.eastyork.on.ca
Director
BM/
Attach.
APPENDIX 'A'
All-way Stop Warrant - Gardens Crescent at Westview Boulevard
(i) south intersection
