April 12, 1999

To:Chairman and Members of the Scarborough Community Council

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

Subject:All-Way Stop and Pedestrian Crossover in the area of Alton Towers Circle and Goldhawk Trail (North Intersection), Scarborough Malvern

Purpose:

To investigate the need for an all-way stop on Alton Towers Circle at Goldhawk Trail (North Intersection), and a pedestrian crossover on Alton Towers Circle south of this location.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The $15,000.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of the all-way stop, overhead flashing beacon and pedestrian crossover is available in the Transportation Services 1999 budget estimates, Account No. 100-TP10226.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the pedestrian crossover identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;

(2)the pedestrian crossover identified in Appendix 2 of this report be adopted;

(3)the all-way stop control identified in Appendix 3 of this report be adopted; and

(4)the appropriate by-laws be amended accordingly.

Council Reference/Background/History:

Transportation Services received a request from Councillor Balkissoon regarding replacing the pedestrian crossover on Alton Towers Circle at Goldhawk Trail (North Intersection) with an all-way stop, and installing a new pedestrian crossover south of this intersection. Also we received a request from Councillor Cho for the police to investigate the need for an adult crossing guard at the intersection of Alton Towers Circle and Goldhawk Trail (North Intersection).

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The intersection of Alton Towers Circle and Goldhawk Trail (North Intersection) is located south of Steeles Avenue and west of McCowan Road. The speed limit is currently posted as 40 kilometres per hour. Appropriate School Area signs are posted in advance of the schools in the area, Banting and Best Public School and Prince of Peace Catholic School. Goldhawk Community Centre and Library are located on Alton Towers Circle, south of Goldhawk Trail (North Intersection). A pedestrian crossover (PXO) currently exists on Alton Towers Circle at Goldhawk Trail (North Intersection).

A number of traffic studies were conducted in the area on Thursday, November 26, 1998 to determine the need for additional traffic control. Study results are as follows.

Pedestrian Crossover Operation:

Transportation Services examined the operation of the existing pedestrian crossover and observed the following.

Note: (A)Motorist PXO disobedience is registered when the investigator determines that the motorist could have stopped safely, but failed to do so.

• This recorded volume of compliance by motorists is considered excellent in comparison to other locations.

Note:(B)Of the 494 pedestrians not using the PXO correctly:

• 413 pedestrians (191 assisted and unassisted children, 213 youths/adults and 9 senior citizens) did not activate the overhead flashing amber beacons.

• 81 pedestrians (7 assisted and unassisted children, 65 youths/adults and 9 senior citizens) did not use the PXO but crossed in proximity to it.

We have concerns regarding the high level of non-compliance by pedestrians at this PXO. While we observed excellent compliance by motorists, there was a high number of pedestrians, both children and adults, not using proper crossing techniques.

Fortunately, despite this high level of non-compliance, there is not a significant history of collisions at this intersection. In a three year period from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1998, eight collisions occurred at this intersection, none of which involved pedestrians. We are aware that, in speaking with Councillor Balkissoon, a child was hit at the PXO in 1999 and we have since managed to locate a copy of the collision report for this incident.

This collision occurred in the morning of January 20, 1999 involving a nine year old child crossing within the pedestrian crossover. It appears, according to the police report, that the pedestrian was crossing properly, however, the motorist failed to yield the right-of-way. Fortunately the child only sustained minor injuries.

Considering the high levels of non-compliance by pedestrians, we did examine other traffic options at this intersection. Our study results are as follows:

Traffic Control Signals:

The justification for the installation of traffic control signals (TCS) is based on a technical warrant established by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). The analysis of this warrant is based on data compiled from an 8-hour traffic study.

To warrant the installation of traffic control signals, compliance levels of 100% are required in one of the above categories or 80% in each. In brief, these findings indicate that there is insufficient vehicular traffic entering the intersection on both the major and minor roads to satisfy the Traffic Control Signal Warrant at this time.

All-Way Stop Control:

The justification for the installation of an all-way stop control is based on a technical warrant established by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). Our eight hour study results are as follows.

*Warranted Hours

Evident by the above results, the vehicle volume requirements are close to being satisfied.

Pedestrian Crossover:

We also examined the feasibility of installing a PXO 170 metres south of Alton Towers Circle and Goldhawk Trail (North Intersection). The justification for the installation of a PXO is based on a technical warrant established by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). The analysis of this warrant is based on data compiled from an 8-hour traffic study and a 12-hour vehicle count.

To warrant the installation of a PXO, compliance levels of 100% are required in both of the above categories. The "Required Pedestrian Volume" is based on the "12-hour vehicle volume" of the road. Evident by the above results, a PXO is warranted at this location.

Adult Crossing Guard:

The Toronto Police, Community Policing Support Unit, have investigated this location for both an adult crossing guard and/or a school safety patrol program. The police have indicated that this is not a suitable location for an adult crossing guard, and the principal of Banting and Best Public School and the police are reluctant to utilize children to assist in crossing at this location.

Conclusions:

Application of study data revealed that traffic control signals are far from being warranted, whereas an all-way stop control is close to being warranted at the subject intersection. Furthermore, we do have some concerns regarding the high level of non-compliance by pedestrians at the existing PXO at this location. While we observed excellent compliance by motorists, there was a high number of pedestrians, both children and adults, not using proper crossing techniques.

Based on our study results, and the meeting with the police, we are recommending an all-way stop because the All-Way Stop Control Warrant criteria are achieved in 6 of the 8 required hours. Even in the hours when the criteria are not achieved, the vehicle volume split is close to being satisfied. It is for these reasons that we believe vehicle compliance of an all-way stop at the north intersection of Alton Towers Circle and Goldhawk Trail will be good. Overhead red flashing beacons are also recommended to supplement this all-way stop control.

Typically we prefer the use of a pedestrian crossover to an all-way stop when pedestrian crossing protection is of prime concern, however, as the level of compliance by pedestrians at the PXO is so poor, and neither an adult crossing guard nor a school safety patrol programme are supported, we feel an all-way stop would operate more successfully at this location.

Application of study results obtained on Alton Towers Circle, at a location approximately 170 metres south of Goldhawk Trail (North Intersection) revealed that the warrant requirements for a pedestrian crossover are achieved. Therefore a pedestrian crossover at this location is recommended.

To emphasize proper crossing techniques, we have requested that the police educate students to promote the proper usage of the proposed pedestrian crossover and all-way stop. Following the installation of the proposed all-way stop control and pedestrian crossover we will monitor these locations to determine if they are operating successfully.

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

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Appendix 1

"Pedestrian Crossover"

Regulation to be Rescinded

Column 1Column 2

RoadAt

Alton TowersGoldhawk Trail

Circle(North Intersection)

Appendix 2

"Pedestrian Crossover"

Regulation to be Rescinded

Column 1Column 2

RoadAt

Alton Towers170 Metres south of

CircleGoldhawk Trail

(North Intersection)

Appendix 3

"Compulsory Stops"

Regulation to Be Enacted

Column 1Column 2

IntersectionStop Street

Alton Towers CircleAlton Towers Circle

and Goldhawk Trail

(North Intersection)