23 February 1999

To:Chairman and Members of the North York Community Council

From:Roberto Stopnicki,

Director, Transportation Services - District 3

Subject:Traffic Operations: Torresdale Avenue (North Section)

North York Spadina

Purpose:To provide recommendations for improvements to traffic operational concerns within the Torresdale Avenue (North Section) residential community.

Source of funds:

All costs associated with the installation of improvements are included within the 1999 operating budget.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1)Westbound right turn, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday and southbound left turn, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Monday to Friday, turn restrictions be implemented at the Fisherville Road/Hidden Trail intersection, subject to the support of the majority of the affected residents, for a six month trail period. At the end of the trial period, staff of the Transportation Services Division should report on the impacts;

2)The existing "No Entry" restriction on Fisherville Road, west of Carpenter Road, be replaced with northbound left, westbound through and southbound right turn, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., Monday to Friday, restrictions;

3)Northbound and southbound through restrictions, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, be implemented at the Steeles Avenue West/Torresdale Avenue intersection, for a six month trial period. At the completion of the trial period, staff of the Transportation Services Division, report on the impacts of the restrictions;

4)Dual northbound left turns not be considered at the Bathurst Street/Steeles Avenue west intersection, due to right of way constraints;

5)That westbound right turn restrictions from Antibes Drive (north leg), Rockford Road and Cedarcroft Boulevard to Torresdale Avenue, not be installed; and

6)That an all way stop control, which was warranted to the extent of 7%, not be installed at the intersection of Torresdale Road and Rusfax Road.

Council Reference/Background/History:

The Transportation Services Division of the Works and Emergency Services Department, as well as the Transportation Department for the former City of North York, undertook numerous investigations to address the residents concerns for the heavy volume of traffic and excessive rate of speed on the north section of Torresdale Avenue.

The results of previous origin/destination studies have confirmed that approximately 20% of the traffic traveling northbound or southbound on Torresdale Avenue, during the a.m. or p.m. peak hours, can be considered as transient to the greater community. This does, however, indicate that the majority of the traffic is local in nature.

Historical vehicle speed studies concluded that motorists were traveling at excessive rates of speed. In this regard, the Toronto Police Services were requested to provide radar enforcement.

In 1997, in an attempt to alleviate the residents concerns, the Council of the former City of North York approved the installation of temporary traffic calming measures on Torresdale Avenue, between Fisherville Road and Rockford Road. The temporary measures involved the installation of concrete curb stones and pavement markings (pinch points and chicanes) to reduce the overall pavement width from 8.5 metres to 6.0 metres.

Although a preliminary review of vehicle speeds, subsequent to the installation of the temporary measures, indicated a slight reduction in the rate of speed of motor vehicles, the local residents were not satisfied with the level of improvement that the traffic calming measures provided. As a result of the complaints, which included restricted access to driveways and the unsightly nature of the temporary traffic calming measures, minor modifications were implemented. Further vehicle speed studies continued to identify an overall reduction in operating speeds, however, residents remained in opposition to the temporary measures. As a result of the continued complaints, local residents submitted a petition to the local Councillor's office requesting their removal. The temporary measures were removed in September of 1997.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Notwithstanding the above, the local residents continue to voice their concern for the existing traffic operations on the north section of Torresdale Avenue. Accordingly, staff of the Transportation Services Division was once again requested by the Torresdale Avenue Traffic Calming Committee to further review several traffic related issues. The following is a list of the initiatives that were proposed by the Torresdale Avenue Traffic Calming Committee:

• The Toronto Police Services be requested to enforce the regulatory speed limit on Torresdale Avenue and the motorists lack of compliance to the stop controls at various intersections along Torresdale Avenue;

• The feasibility of installing an all way stop control at the intersection of Torresdale Avenue and Russfax Drive;

• The implementation of a series of internal turn restrictions along Torresdale Avenue and at the intersection of Fisherville Road and Hidden Trail;

• The replacement of the existing entry restriction on Fisherville Road, west of Carpenter Road, with a westbound through, southbound right and a northbound left turn restriction;

• That traffic restrictions/movements at the intersection of Steeles Avenue West and Torresdale Avenue be amended by installing a northbound through restriction, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and extend the existing eastbound right turn restriction and southbound through restriction, presently from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., to 6:00 p.m.;

• That the signal timing on Bathurst Street, from Finch Avenue West to Steeles Avenue West, be modified to improve southbound traffic progression in the a.m. peak traffic period and northbound in the p.m. period;

• Investigate the installation of dual northbound left turn lanes on Bathurst Street at Steeles Avenue West; and

• Consider the installation of the SCOOT traffic control signal system on both Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue West.

Vehicle Speeds:

Twenty four hour vehicle speed studies were conducted on several roadways throughout the community in an effort to determine which locations would require the attention of limited police resources.

The results of the speed studies, which were conducted on Fisherville Road, Rockford Road, Torresdale Avenue, Cedarcroft Boulevard, Robingrove Road and Antibes Drive, concluded that the area of concern was Torresdale Avenue, between Rockford Road and Fisherville Road, where 85^th percentile speeds of up to 58 km/h were achieved within the posted 40 km/h zone. To address this situation, the Toronto Police Services have been requested to provided the necessary enforcement.

Vehicle Volumes:

The following table details existing and historical traffic volumes on Fisherville Road, Rockford Road and Torresdale Avenue. Considering the total number of residential properties within the community bounded by Steeles Avenue West to the north, Bathurst Street to the east and Antibes Drive to the south, the traffic volumes are not considered excessive. Further, a comparison of existing and historical traffic volumes would indicate that overall traffic within the community has increased only marginally since 1995.

VEHICLE VOLUME DATA

Stop Sign Compliance:

Transportation Services staff observations have disclosed that motorists are failing to come to a complete stop, particularly at the intersections which are controlled by an all way stop control. The Toronto Police Services have been requested to monitor those locations.

To improve the visibility of intersections within the community, in an effort to increase stopping compliance, stop bars, centre lines and pedestrian crossing lines have been installed at the following intersections:

• Fisherville Avenue at Hidden Trail;
• Fisherville Avenue at Torresdale Avenue;
• Fisherville Avenue at Millersgrove Drive;
• Torresdale Avenue at Robingrove Boulevard.

All Way Stop Control - Torresdale Avenue at Russfax Drive:

Currently, westbound motorists on Russfax Drive are required to stop at Torresdale Avenue. Torresdale Avenue traffic is required to stop at Fisherville Road, which is 100 metres to the north, and Rockford Road, which is 300 metres to the south. The intersection of Torresdale Avenue and Russfax Drive forms a "T" intersection.

The results of the all way stop study indicated that the technical warrants for the installation of an all way stop control were met to the extent of 7%, whereas 100% is required.

A review of our collision statistics has indicated that for the preceding three years, there have been no incidents reported at this intersection. It was further observed that the stop sign on Russfax Drive is unobstructed and there are no motorist or pedestrian sight obstructions on any approach to the intersection.

Turn Restrictions:

Steeles Avenue West at Torresdale Avenue

The Torresdale Avenue Traffic Calming Committee requested, as a measure of reducing the volume of transient traffic generated by the community to the north of Steeles Avenue West, to prohibit eastbound right turns and northbound and southbound through traffic movements, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Currently, eastbound right turns and southbound through movements are prohibited between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m..

Any further extension of the eastbound right turn restriction would significantly impact access to the local community, for eastbound traffic on Steeles Avenue West. Considering the residential densities in the vicinity of the Torresdale Avenue/Fisherville Road intersection, traffic may simply access the community at Hidden Trail, thereby increasing traffic volumes on Fisherville Road west of Torresdale Avenue.

The impacts the introduction of the northbound and southbound through traffic restrictions would have cannot be clearly determined, as it is possible that it may increase northbound left turns or eastbound right turns at the intersection as motorists attempt to by-pass the restrictions. Therefore, this division could support the installation of the northbound and southbound through restrictions on a six (6) month trial basis. This would allow the community and staff to assess what impact the restrictions would have on access to the local community and the integrity of the arterial road system.

Torresdale Avenue at Antibes Drive (north leg), Cedarcroft Boulevard and Rockford Road

During previous investigations, staff were requested to review the feasibility of installing northbound left turn restrictions at the intersection of Bathurst Street and Antibes Drive. This restriction could not be supported as motorists, both local and transient, would simply travel one or two blocks to the north on Bathurst Street and continue to access the community at Cedarcroft Boulevard and/or Rockford Road. The only alternative to addressing the redistribution of traffic to the adjacent routes would be to impose the same restriction at the intersections of Bathurst Street with Rockford Road and Cedarcroft Boulevard. With access restricted to Antibes Drive, Cedarcroft Boulevard and Rockford Road, access from Bathurst Street would effectively be eliminated at certain times of the day.

Subsequently, the Torresdale Avenue Traffic Calming Committee asked for comments on the installation of westbound right turn restrictions, between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, at the intersections of Torresdale Avenue with Antibes Drive (north leg), Cedarcroft Boulevard and Rockford Road.

The installation of traffic restrictions internal to the community generally results in motorists completing odd maneuvers in an attempt to by-pass the restrictions, once inside the community.

The implementation of internal restrictions may in this instance result in the reassignment of traffic to the south leg of Antibes Drive, where restrictions would not be in place, or to Robingrove and Rockford Roads, where traffic could continue westerly across Torresdale Avenue to connect to Fisherville Road. This is of particular concern as traffic volumes could increase significantly adjacent to the Rockford Public School. The installation of such internal restrictions would not address the concern for transient traffic and could in fact create an increase in traffic volumes on roadways where they are presently not being experienced.

Fisherville Road at Hidden Trail

Given that the principal access to Connaught Laboratories is from Hidden Trail, south of Steeles Avenue West, turn restrictions at the Steeles Avenue West/Hidden Trail intersection cannot be considered. As an alternative, the Torresdale Avenue Traffic Calming Committee has suggested that southbound left turns be prohibited at the Hidden Trail/Fisherville Road intersection, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., Monday to Friday, and westbound right turns be prohibited between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Although the installation of the turn restrictions may significantly reduce transient traffic volumes, in association with other existing turn restrictions, local residents' access would also be restricted. In this scenario, residents of Fisherville Road traveling eastbound on Steeles Avenue West, would have to travel east to Bathurst Street in order to access the community legally during certain times of the day.

As with the proposed turn restrictions on Torresdale Avenue, described in the earlier section of this report, these restrictions are internal to the community. Motorists, both local and transient, may simply choose to ignore the restrictions or travel south on Hidden Trail south of Fisherville Road, complete a U-Turn to travel northbound, continue to access Steeles Avenue West or Fisherville Road, as the northbound right turns would not be prohibited at the Hidden Trail/Fisherville Road intersection. Therefore, these restrictions could be installed and monitored for a six (6) month period.

Fisherville Road at Carpenter Road

It was identified by the members of the Torresdale Avenue Traffic Calming Committee that the signs prohibiting access to Fisherville Road during the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., west of Carpenter Road, are not visible to motorists traveling northbound or southbound on Carpenter Road, until such time as they have completed their turn. This defeats the intended purpose of the restrictions as motorists are generally unaware that they are not permitted on Fisherville Road, until they have made their turn.

As at other similar locations throughout the city, to address this concern it is appropriate to prohibit southbound right, westbound through and northbound left turns at the intersection of Fisherville Road and Carpenter Road. To maintain uniformity with restrictions at other entry points to the community, the time of the restrictions should be amended to 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m, Monday to Friday.

Dual Left Turn Lane:

With limited available right of way at the intersection of Steeles Avenue West and Bathurst Street, dual northbound left turns cannot be accommodated.

Traffic Signal Timing and Progression:

The opinion of the members of the Torresdale Avenue Traffic Calming Committee is that as there is no traffic signal progression along Bathurst Street, northbound in the p.m. peak hour and southbound in the a.m. peak hour, motorists continue to utilize the residential community to reduce travel delays on Bathurst Street. This matter is currently being reviewed by staff of this division and the Traffic Signal Control Centre. Any appropriate modifications will be implemented.

In addition to traffic signal modifications, a review for the feasibility of the installation of the SCOOT traffic system is being completed for both Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue West. The results of that investigation, which are expected later this year, will be forwarded to the North York Community Council for consideration.

Conclusions:

While previous attempts to address traffic operational concerns through the installation of traffic calming measures resulted in some speed reductions on Torresdale Avenue, the temporary traffic calming measures were met with opposition from the residents and were generally identified as being a restriction to access to their properties or unsightly.

A review of current and historical traffic volumes indicate that the majority of the traffic is local in nature and given the total number of residential properties within the greater community, the traffic volumes on the roadways are not excessive. The Toronto Police Services have been requested to provide enforcement of vehicle speeds and motorist stopping compliance, at various locations within the community.

Existing traffic conditions do not support the installation of an all way stop control at the Torresdale Avenue/Russfax Drive intersection.

The installation of the internal turn restrictions, as requested, would generally not resolve the residents' concerns as it would likely divert traffic onto other internal roadways which would create other concerns, such as increased traffic adjacent to the Rockford Public School. Any consideration for the said restrictions should be done with the support of the majority of residents within the community.

The requested modifications to the existing entry restriction at Fisherville Road and Carpenter Road would provide greater awareness to motorists and should be implemented.

With regard to geometric improvements to the Bathurst Street/Steeles Avenue West intersection, in particular the installation of a dual northbound left turn lanes, improvements cannot be accommodated given the existing right-of-way constraints.

The extension or implementation of turn restrictions at the Steeles Avenue West/Torresdale Avenue intersection should be implemented for a six month trial period, with the exception of the extension of the eastbound right turn restriction. Any increase to the period of time would prove to be extremely onerous to the local residents and would likely increase traffic volumes on Fisherville Road, west of Torresdale Avenue.

Traffic signal timing/progression along Bathurst Street is currently being review and any appropriate improvements will be implemented.

The results of an investigation for the implementation of the SCOOT traffic control signal system which will be available later this year , will be presented for consideration at a regular meeting of the North York Community Council.

Contact Name:

Allen Pinkerton, Manager, Traffic Operations

395-7463 (telephone)

395-7482 (facsimile)

ajpinker@city.north-york.on.ca (e-mail)

Roberto Stopnicki,

Director, Transportation Services - District 3

AJP

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