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:U-Turn Prohibition on Milner Avenue at Progress Avenue, Scarborough Malvern

Purpose:

To investigate the need for a U-turn prohibition eastbound on Milner Avenue at Progress Avenue.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The $ 150.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of a No U-Turn sign are available in the Transportation Services 1999 budget estimates, Account No. 100-TP10226.

Recommendations:

(1)the No U-Turn prohibition 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 property management for the townhouse complex on the northwest corner of Milner Avenue and Progress Avenue, Transportation Services investigated the U-turns occurring in the vicinity of the intersection of Milner Avenue and Progress Avenue. Specifically, the U-turns occurring eastbound to westbound on Milner Avenue at Progress Avenue were the main concern.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The signalized intersection of Milner Avenue and Progress Avenue is located south of Sheppard Avenue and east of Markham Road. The intersections immediately west of Progress Avenue, Milner Business Court and Parkborough Boulevard, are limited to right-in, right-out traffic movements because of a continuous centre island on Milner Avenue between Markham Road and Progress Avenue. Residential properties exist north of Milner Avenue, while office buildings are on the south side.

In response to the inquiry, staff studied U-turn activity on all approaches to the intersection. Our studies revealed that U-turns are occurring around each of the islands on the four approaches throughout the day, with the highest number occurring during the mid-day period. This is because heavy traffic volumes preclude many of the movements during the peak periods, while the lower volumes of the mid-day period provide motorists with more gaps to perform the U-turns. During our study, these movements were performed without conflict.

A review of the collision history from January 1, 1992 to May 31, 1998 reveals that one U-turn collision has occurred at this intersection, which involved an eastbound to westbound U-turn manoeuvre.

The majority of motorists performing these movements, particularly the U-turns east and south of the intersection, are generated by the office building on the southwest corner of Milner Avenue and Progress Avenue. Motorists are dropping-off and picking-up employees at this building, as well as children at a day care provided on the main floor of this building. The U-turns on the west and north legs of the intersection appear to be motorists exiting from businesses on Milner Business Court and originating from northbound on Markham Road. Motorists from Milner Business Court are provided with guide signs, indicating the route to westbound Milner Avenue. It appears that some of these movements are also performed by motorists who exit from westbound Highway 401 and are unable to merge over to the left-turn lane to proceed west on Milner Avenue, due to the short distance to weave to the left lane.

Despite the fact that no conflicts were observed, the number of U-turn movements taking place at this intersection are a cause of concern. Keeping in mind that restricting all U-turn movements at all locations where they are currently being performed would likely result in motorists finding other possibly less desirable alternatives or ignoring the signs completely, we are recommending the prohibition of the eastbound to westbound U-turn on Milner Avenue within the intersection at Progress Avenue. Due to the narrower width of road at this point and damage to the boulevard grass, we consider this location to have the most potential for hazardous conflicts.

Conclusions:

As a result of our review, staff recommend an eastbound to westbound U-turn prohibition on Milner Avenue at Progress Avenue.

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 Emergency Services

District 4

BDC:ca

D99-035

Appendix 1

"Prohibited Turns"

Regulation to be Enacted

Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4

Intersection orTurnsTimes or

Portion of HighwayDirectionProhibitedDays

Milner Avenue atEastboundU-TurnsAnytime

Progress Avenue