April 12, 1999

To:Chairman and Members of the Scarborough Community Council

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

Subject:Parking and Traffic Conditions on Highview Avenue at Birch Cliff Heights Public School, Scarborough Bluffs

Purpose:

To address the need to amend the parking and stopping regulations on Highview Avenue at Birch Cliff Heights Public School.

Funding Sources:

The $300.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of the parking restriction signs is available in the 1999 budget estimates, Account No. 100-TP10220.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the stopping regulations identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;

(2) the parking regulations identified in Appendix 2 of this report be adopted;

(3) the appropriate by-law be amended accordingly;

(4) copies of this report be sent to the Toronto Board of Education, and Birch Cliff Heights Public School for their information; and

(5)a copy of this report be sent to the Toronto Police Service, Parking Enforcement Unit requesting selective enforcement of the existing parking regulations near Birch Cliff Heights Public School.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At the request of Councillor Brian Ashton's office, traffic studies were conducted at Birch Cliff Heights Public School to evaluate the suitability of parking regulations in the vicinity of this school and to determine if a modification of these regulations would be beneficial.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Currently, along the north/school side of Highview Avenue, both "No Stopping Anytime" and school bus loading zone signs are posted. "No Stopping Anytime" signs are also posted along the south/opposite side of Highview Avenue. A pedestrian crossover is located on Highview Avenue at the west limit of the school property. Toronto Transit Commission bus stops also exist on both sides of the street.

The following table shows the results of on-street parking observations as well as vehicle movements in/out the parking lot of Birch Cliff Heights Public School on Tuesday, May 26, 1998.

Our studies revealed that most motorists prefer to park along the north side of Highview Avenue in front of the school. While parking along this portion of the road is currently illegal, and motorists doing so risk being ticketed, by parking in this area they avoid having their passengers cross in front of through traffic.

It should also be noted that several vehicles were recorded making "three-point-turns" along the front of the school. Transportation Services is concerned about motorists making "three-point-turns" in sensitive school areas because when vehicles reverse, driver visibility of pedestrians, especially small children, may be severely reduced. Although less convenient, perhaps the safest way for motorists to change their direction of travel would involve going around the block.

Along with the vehicular study, pedestrian traffic observations were taken simultaneously. The following tables show these observations:

These tables show that most pedestrian crossings are taking place at the highly visible pedestrian crossover (PXO). Over 70 percent of the children crossed at the PXO, while others were assisted by adults at various mid-block locations. This PXO operation is further augmented by an adult crossing guard during the busiest times of school generated pedestrian activity. Throughout the observations, no conflicts between pedestrians and motorist were recorded.

Collision History:

In addition to the studies outlined above, Transportation Services conducted a two-year, ten-month collision review for the years in which we have the most current data, (from January 1, 1995 to November 30, 1998.) Four collisions have been reported during this time period in the area of the school.

The first of these collisions was the most serious because it involved injury to a student of Birch Cliff Heights Public School. This collision occurred on a Monday afternoon in January of 1995. The particulars of the police collision report show that the road conditions were clear and dry and that the motorist was driving slowly (15 kilometres per hour) when the student ran onto the roadway and into the path of the motorist. The eight year old pedestrian sustained minor injuries. The driver was not charged in this incident.

Of the remaining collisions, no injuries were sustained and two involved parked vehicles. In both cases, the motorists responsible for the damage failed to remain at the scene and report the damage. In the most recent case, occurring in October of 1998, the damage was reported as occurring in the parking lot of Birch Cliff Heights Public School.

Conclusions:

Based on the results of our investigations, we are recommending the standard "school side parking/opposite side no stopping" regulations on Highview Avenue. To achieve this standard, "30Minute Parking, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" signs are recommended along a portion of the school/north side of Highview Avenue sufficient to park 10 private vehicles temporarily .

The existing "No Stopping Anytime" prohibition on the south or opposite side of Highview Avenue is not recommended to be altered. 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, and to maintain two lanes of travel. This recommendation provides for a safer situation in the vicinity of the school and an effective means of enforcement.

In addition, it is recommended that the current dimensions of the school bus loading zone be reduced from 68 metres to 44 metres and that it be shifted slightly to the west. By altering the school bus loading zone in this manner, the school's centre walkway will still be positioned such that it will remain convenient for school bus passengers and the amendment will provide more on-street parking for vehicles.

We are also aware that the Toronto District School Board has recently been considering the installation of a turning loop along the front of this school. While this loop could alleviate some of the traffic congestion along the school's frontage and within the parking lot, this proposed loop would not affect the recommended on-street parking regulations.

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

JAB:ca

Appendix 1

"No Stopping"

Prohibition to be Rescinded

Column 1 Column 2Column 3Column 4

HighwaySideFrom ToTimes or Days

Highview NorthKennedy South Woodrow Anytime

AvenueRoadBoulevard

Appendix 2

"No Stopping"

Prohibition to be Enacted

Column 1 Column 2Column 3Column 4

HighwaySideFrom ToTimes or Days

Highview NorthKennedy 194 Metres east ofAnytime

AvenueRoadSouth Woodrow

Boulevard

"Parking for Restricted Periods"

Column 1 Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5

Maximum

Period

HighwaySideFrom ToTimes or DaysPermit

Highview North120 Metres 74 Metres further 8:00 a.m. to30 Minutes

Avenueeast of South east4:00 p.m.

Woodrow Monday to

BoulevardFriday