April 27, 1999

TO:Toronto Community Council

FROM:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1

SUBJECT:Request to Rescind "U" Turn Prohibition on St. Clair Avenue West between Dufferin Street and Oakwood Avenue (Ward 21, Davenport)

Purpose:

To comment on a request to remove the existing "No U-Turn" signs on St. Clair Avenue West between Dufferin Street and Oakwood Avenue.

Funding Sources:

No funds are required at this time.

Recommendation:

That this report be received for information.

Comments:

At the request of Councillor Dennis Fotinos, Transportation Services staff have reviewed the need of maintaining the existing "U" turn prohibition on St. Clair Avenue West between Dufferin Street and Oakwood Avenue.

The existing prohibition of eastbound and westbound "U" turns on St. Clair Avenue was implemented in May of 1993. This prohibition was put in place to address safety concerns with collisions involving "U"-turning motorists on this stretch of St. Clair Avenue West. These concerns were brought to light during the consultation process for changes at the intersection of St. Clair Avenue West and Glenholme Avenue, which is located approximately at the midpoint of this section of St. Clair Avenue West. The "U" turn prohibition was installed at the same time as turn prohibitions and median islands were approved at this particular intersection. While the "U" turn prohibition was implemented in 1993, the changes at the intersection did not take place until October, 1994.

Subsequently, in 1995, the median islands and turn prohibitions at St. Clair Avenue West and Glenholme Avenue were removed and replaced with traffic control signals. At that time, the necessity of retaining the "U" turn prohibition was also reviewed. The record of collisions involving motorists making illegal "U" turns along this section of St. Clair Avenue West had continued at approximately the same rate as it was prior to the implementation of the prohibition. It was feared that rescinding the prohibition would result in an even higher rate of collisions involving "U"-turning motorists and it was recommended that this prohibition be retained.

In the five year period prior to implementation of this prohibition in 1993, there were 23 collisions involving either eastbound or westbound "U"-turning motorists on this section of St. Clair Avenue West, an average of 0.6 collisions per month. During the period when the prohibition was in place and median islands were present at the intersection of St. Clair Avenue West and Glenholme Avenue, the collisions involving "U"-turning vehicles occurred on an average of 0.8 collisions per month. Our recent observations and review of the collision record indicate that illegal "U"-turns continue to be made, and collisions have continued at an average of 0.8 collisions per month between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 1998.

According to our review, 14 "No U-Turn" signs are present on both sides of St. Clair Avenue West, between Dufferin Street and Oakwood Avenue, for eastbound and westbound traffic. Signs are well placed and visible to motorists.

Conclusion:

The above-noted assessment indicates that "U"-turning traffic on the section of St. Clair Avenue West from Dufferin Street to Oakwood Avenue has resulted in an ongoing collision pattern, and is an activity that is not advisable. Therefore, maintaining the regulation and signage is not problematic. The signs, however, have not resulted in the activity being eliminated, nor have they reduced the collision rates. Accordingly, impacts arising from removal of the signs would likely be minor in terms of overall safety on this section of St. Clair Avenue West.

Contact Name:

Jacqueline White

Manager, District 1

416-397-5021

Director

RO/JW/

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