June 7, 1999

To:Chairman and Members of the Scarborough Community Council

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

Subject:Request for Traffic Control on Birchmount Road Near Mack Avenue, Scarborough Bluffs

Purpose:

To report on the results of studies conducted at the intersections of Birchmount Road and Mack Avenue, and Birchmount Road and Highview Avenue.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not Applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At the request of Councillor Altobello, Transportation Services is reporting the results of our investigations at the intersections of Birchmount Road and Mack Avenue, and Birchmount Road and Highview Avenue.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Birchmount Road, in the vicinity of Mack Avenue and Highview Avenue, is a mix of both industrial and residential land uses. Currently, stop signs exist on Highview Avenue, Mack Avenue and Raleigh Avenue where they intersect Birchmount Road. Toronto Transit Commission bus stops also exist on both sides of Birchmount Road at Highview Avenue and at Mack Avenue. The intersections of Birchmount Road at Mack Avenue and Birchmount Road at Raleigh Avenue are in close proximity, however they are two separate intersections. Hidden intersection warning signs are posted on Birchmount Road and, as a result of area residents concerns, pedestrian advance warning signs were recently posted for both directions on Birchmount Road as well.

The justification for the installation of traffic control signals (TCS) and pedestrian crossovers (PXO) is based on technical warrants established by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). The analysis of these warrants is based on data compiled from an 8-hour traffic study. Traffic studies were conducted on Thursday, November 12, 1999 for traffic control signals and, as a result of an additional request from an area resident, pedestrian crossover warrant studies were conducted on Thursday, April 8, 1999.

Traffic Control Signals:

This study was conducted at the intersection of Birchmount Road and Mack Avenue. Study hours used in the warrant calculations were 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., producing the following results.

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.

Collision History:

A review of the collision history for the period for which we have complete data, January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1997, at the intersection of Birchmount Road and Mack Avenue reveals the following:

An expanded review of the collision history on Birchmount Road from Raleigh Avenue to Highview Avenue reveals no reported pedestrian collisions over the past three years for which we have complete data, January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1997. We are unable to review collisions after December 31, 1997 as the complete data is not yet available from the police.

Pedestrian Crossover Warrant:

Study hours used in the warrant calculations were: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., producing the following results.

Birchmount Road at Mack Avenue/Raleigh Avenue:

Birchmount Road and Highview Avenue:

To warrant the installation of a pedestrian crossover, compliance levels of 100% are required in both of the above categories.

The warrant provides an adjustment factor for senior citizens, unassisted children and handicapped pedestrians. During our 8-hour study, the pedestrian volumes consisted of the following:

Assisted Children are children crossing the road accompanied by a youth, an adult or a senior citizen. During our studies we observed frequent gaps in the traffic flow on Birchmount Road, and pedestrians did not experience any conflicts with motorists while crossing the road.

Birchmount Road in this area is the boundary between school community areas. Children would not need to cross Birchmount Road if they are attending their home school. For example, the assigned home school for school children residing on Wolcott Avenue is either Warden Avenue Junior Public School or Samuel Hearne Senior Public School. When children attend their home school, crossing protection on a major road is usually provided when walking to and from school.

Pedestrian Refuge Island:

Staff also determined the feasibility of installing pedestrian refuge islands at each intersection. Because of the relatively low numbers of pedestrian crossings, the absence of conflicts, and the good safety record at both intersections, the installation of pedestrian refuge islands is not justified.

Conclusions:

In summary, our traffic studies reveal that traffic control signals, a pedestrian crossover or a pedestrian refuge island are not warranted on Birchmount Road in the area of Mack Avenue or Highview Avenue. Furthermore pedestrians were observed crossing Birchmount Road comfortably, and there is a good safety record in this area. Nonetheless, as a result of our investigations, new hidden intersection warning signs as well as pedestrian advance warning signs have been installed on Birchmount Road. We did receive a letter from Mr. Hetherington, 63 Wolcott Avenue, the gentleman who requested our investigation for pedestrian crossing protection, stating his appreciation for the installation of the warning signs..

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

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