March 11, 1999

To:Chairman and Members of the Scarborough Community Council

From:Gary H. Welsh, Director, Transportation Services, Works and Emergency Services, District 4

Subject:Traffic Concerns at Morrish Public School on Canmore Boulevard, Scarborough Highland Creek

Purpose:

To address the need to install stopping regulations on Canmore Boulevard at Morrish Public School.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The $ 1000.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of the stopping prohibition signs is available in the Transportation Services 1999 budget estimates, Account No. 100-TP10226.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the stopping regulations identified in Appendix 1 of this report be adopted; and

(2)the appropriate by-law be amended accordingly.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At the request of the vice-principal of Morrish Public School, Transportation Services staff investigated school related traffic/parking conditions.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Currently on Canmore Boulevard, in front of the school, neither parking nor stopping regulations are posted with the exception of a nine metre "No Stopping Anytime" prohibition on either side of the pedestrian crossover at Halfmoon Square. Canmore Boulevard has a posted 40 kilometre per hour speed limit and appropriate School Area signs. A Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus stop is located on the south side of the street, immediately west of the school turning loop.

Pedestrian Crossing Observations:

Transportation Services staff recorded the volume and location of pedestrians crossing Canmore Boulevard in the vicinity of the school, on Monday, May 11, 1998. These observations revealed a total of 220 pedestrians crossed Canmore Boulevard during the 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. study periods. Most of the pedestrians did not cross within the pedestrian crossover and no conflicts were observed between pedestrians and motorists.

Vehicle Observations:

At the same time as the pedestrian study, vehicular traffic observations were undertaken. A total of 63 vehicles (38 in the morning, 25 in the afternoon) parked in the vicinity of the school during the study. Most of these parked along the south/school side of Canmore Boulevard to the west of the TTC bus stop. Furthermore, TTC buses do not service Canmore Boulevard during the peak school admission/dismissal periods. As a result, there was no conflict between the parents picking-up and dropping-off their children and TTC buses.

Collision History:

In addition to the studies outlined above, we conducted a three year, five month collision review for the years in which we have the most current data (from January 1, 1995 to May 31, 1998). Five collisions have been reported during this time period on Canmore Boulevard in the area of Morrish Public School.

Four of these collisions involved only minor property damage. The other collision occurred on a Saturday in 1997 when a six year old child ran from behind a parked car and was struck by a moving vehicle. This collision was at the intersection of Canmore Boulevard at Calverly Trail (west intersection). Although any collision is regrettable, based upon the frequency and the nature of these collisions, they are not indicative of a safety problem.

Based on the results of our investigations, we are recommending the standard "school side parking/opposite side no stopping" regulations be installed on Canmore Boulevard at Morrish Public School. The specifics are as follows:

1. Installing "No Stopping, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday" signs along the north/opposite the school side of Canmore Boulevard. These restrictions are recommended because they do not allow even temporary parking. The intention of these signs will be to prevent passengers from boarding or alighting on the opposite side of the road and crossing in front of through traffic. This prohibition will also help to keep the private driveways opposite the school, between #56 - #74 Canmore Boulevard, unobstructed by school generated traffic.

2. Leaving the school/south side of Canmore Boulevard as it exists currently - unsigned. By not installing more parking restrictions along this side of the road, private vehicle passengers will continue to be allowed direct access to the school grounds from vehicles parking or standing on a short term basis. With vehicles permitted to park next to the school, passengers could avoid walking in front of through traffic. It should be noted that all unsigned roads in Toronto are controlled by a default parking regulation of a three hour limit. This differs slightly from our typical recommendation of a 30 minute time period, however, at this location, long duration parking during the day is not a concern. Currently, there is sufficient space along the school curb for approximately 11 private vehicles to park temporarily.

Conclusion:

In order to encourage all school-related parking and drop-off and pick-up on the school side of Canmore Boulevard, staff recommend that the standard "school side parking/opposite side no stopping" treatment be introduced in the vicinity of Morrish Public School.

Contact Name:

Bruce Clayton

Supervisor, Traffic Engineering, Works and Emergency Services

Telephone: 396-7844

Fax: 396-5681

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

Gary H. Welsh

Director

Transportation Services

Works and Environment

District 4

BDC:ca

D98-089

Appendix 1

"No Stopping"

Prohibition to be Enacted

Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4

HighwaySideFromToTimes or Days

CanmoreNorthCalverly Trail75 Metres west of8:00 a.m. to

Road(East Intersection)Halfmoon Square4:00 p.m.

Monday to Friday