August 26, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services District 1

Subject: Gladstone Avenue, between College Street and Sylvan Avenue, and Lindsey Avenue, between Dufferin Street and Havelock Street - Request for Speed Humps. (Trinity-Niagara - Ward 20) (Agenda Item No. 67)

Purpose:

To respond to a request of the Toronto Community Council for a report on the feasibility and effectiveness of installing speed humps on Gladstone Avenue, between College Street and Sylvan Avenue, and on Lindsey Avenue, between Dufferin Street and Havelock Street.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendation:

That this report be received for information.

Background:

Toronto Community Council, at its meeting of May 26 and 27, 1999, in considering a communication (May 10, 1999) from Trinity-Niagara Councillor Joe Pantalone, requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to report on the feasibility of installing speed humps on Gladstone Avenue, between College Street and Sylvan Avenue and on Lindsey Avenue, between Dufferin Street and Havelock Street.

Comments:

Transportation Services' staff have reviewed traffic conditions on Gladstone Avenue, between College Street and Sylvan Avenue, and on Lindsey Avenue, between Dufferin Street and Havelock Street, in order to report on the feasibility of installing speed humps to reduce the speed of motor vehicles on these streets.

Gladstone Avenue, between College Street and Sylvan Avenue

Gladstone Avenue, between College Street and Sylvan Avenue, operates one-way northbound on a pavement width of 7.3 metres and a speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour. Twenty-four hour speed and volume surveys conducted by Transportation Services staff over a seven day period indicated the subject section of Gladstone Avenue carries an average daily volume of approximately 1,200 vehicles.

In terms of vehicular speed, the above studies have revealed that the average daily speed on this section of Gladstone Avenue was 31 kilometres per hour. The average operating speed (the speed at which 85% of the traffic volume operates at or below) was 38 kilometres per hour. Incidents of excessive speeding (vehicles travelling in excess of 55 kilometres per hour) represented less than 0.2% of the average daily traffic volume.

A review of the Toronto Police Service's collision data records for Gladstone Avenue between College Street and Sylvan Avenue for the three year period beginning January 1, 1996 and ending December 31, 1998, revealed there were no collisions reported.

Although the primary criteria as set out in the speed hump installation policy established by the former City of Toronto Council in August 1997, has been technically satisfied, based upon the secondary criteria i.e., using a technical screening mechanism to evaluate the need for speed humps based on prevailing traffic conditions, vehicle speed percentages and pertinent collision data, our assessment indicates that the speed profile for Gladstone Avenue, between College Street and Sylvan Avenue, is typical of many local/residential streets across the City and that the majority of motorists travel at safe operating speeds. Although the installation of speed humps would certainly eliminate any excessive speeding on these streets, the incidence of excessive speeding represents less than 0.2 percent of the daily traffic volume and is relatively minor when compared to a number of other locations where excessive speeding constitutes a much greater percentage of the total daily traffic volume. Accordingly, no further action is recommended on Gladstone Avenue between College Street and Sylvan Avenue at this time.

Lindsey Avenue, between Dufferin Street and Havelock Street

Lindsey Avenue, between Dufferin Street and Havelock Street operates two-way eastbound/westbound on a pavement width of 7.3 metres with a speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour. Twenty-four hour speed and volume surveys conducted by Transportation Services' staff over a four day period indicated the subject section of Lindsey Avenue carries an average daily volume of approximately 600 vehicles. These volumes are significantly below the minimum requirement of 1,000 vehicles per day necessary for further consideration of the installation of speed humps.

In terms of vehicular speed, the above studies have revealed that the average daily speed on this section of Lindsey Avenue was 30 kilometres per hour for both directions. The average operating speed (the speed at which 85% of the traffic volume operates at or below) was 38 kilometres per hour for both directions. Incidents of excessive speeding (vehicles travelling in excess of 55 kilometres per hour) represented 1% of the average daily traffic volume.

A review of the Toronto Police Service's collision data records for Lindsey Avenue, between Dufferin Street and Havelock Street, for the three year period beginning January 1, 1996 and ending December 31, 1998, revealed there were two midblock collisions reported and speeding was not a factor in either situation.

Based upon the criteria set out in the policy established by the former City of Toronto Council in August, 1997, i.e., using a technical screening mechanism to evaluate the need for speed humps based on prevailing traffic conditions, vehicle speed percentages and pertinent collision data, the speed profile for Lindsey Avenue, between Dufferin Street and Havelock Street, is typical of many local/residential streets across the City and that the majority of motorists travel at safe operating speeds. Although the installation of speed humps would certainly eliminate any excessive speeding on these streets, the incidence of excessive speeding represents less than 1 percent of the daily traffic volume (6 vehicles) and is relatively minor when compared to a number of other locations where excessive speeding constitutes a much greater percentage of the total daily traffic volume. Accordingly, no further action is recommended on this section of Lindsey Avenue at this time.

Notwithstanding the above, the installation of speed humps on adjacent residential streets in the immediate vicinity (Havelock Street, between College Street and Bloor Street West, and Sylvan Street, between Havelock Street and Dufferin Street) have been supported by Toronto City Council and the affected residents, and the installation on same is currently underway.

Should Toronto Community Council wish to proceed with the installation of speed humps on the subject sections of Gladstone Avenue and Lindsey Avenue, the following recommendations should be adopted:

(1)That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Gladstone Avenue, from College Street to Sylvan Avenue, for traffic calming purposes as described below, with implementation subject to the favourable results of polling of the affected residents pursuant to the policy related to speed hump installation as adopted by the former City of Toronto Council:

"The construction of speed humps on GLADSTONE AVENUE, from College Street to Sylvan Avenue, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 42IF-5440, dated August 1999.";

(2)That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Lindsey Avenue, from Dufferin Street to Havelock Street, for traffic calming purposes as described below, with implementation subject to the favourable results of polling of the affected residents pursuant to the policy related to speed hump installation as adopted by the former City of Toronto Council:

"The construction of speed humps on LINDSEY AVENUE, from Dufferin Street to Havelock Street, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 42IF-5404, dated June 1999.";

(3)That a speed limit of thirty kilometres per hour be introduced on Gladstone Avenue, from College Street to Sylvan Avenue, coincident with the implementation of speed humps and as legislation permits; and

(4)That a speed limit of thirty kilometres per hour be introduced on Lindsey Avenue, from Dufferin Street to Havelock Street, coincident with the implementation of speed humps and as legislation permits;

(5)That the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take whatever action is necessary to implement the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that might be required.

The traffic calming proposals for the subject sections of Gladstone Avenue and Lindsey Avenue are illustrated on the attached prints of Drawing Nos. 42IF-5440 and 42IF-5404, respectively. A speed limit reduction to 30 kilometres per hour would be appropriate. No impacts on parking are anticipated, no changes to parking regulations are required, and the effects on snow removal, street cleaning and garbage collection should be minimal.

As stipulated in the Policy, once it has been determined that speed hump installation is technically warranted, a formal poll should be conducted of adults (18 years and older) of households directly abutting the affected sections of the streets, and also of households on side streets whose only access is from the street under consideration for speed hump installations. Under this policy, at least 60 percent of those responding should be in favour of the proposal to authorize implementation. Accordingly, subject to approval by your Council of the above recommendations, Transportation Services' staff will conduct a poll of residents and report on the results at the deputation meeting for the project.

The changes proposed to the sections of Gladstone Avenue and Lindsey Avenue, as described above, constitute alterations to a public highway pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act. The intent of Council to enact a by-law to authorize any physical changes resulting in the alteration of the pavement configuration must be advertised and subsequently be subject to a public hearing. Again, subject to your Council's approval of the above recommendations, consultations with the emergency services will be undertaken to ensure that the detailed design does not unduly hamper their respective operations. However, the introduction of speed humps would result in slower operating speeds for all vehicles, including emergency vehicles, resulting in increased response times.

These projects would be pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class Environmental Assessment for the Municipal Roads Project.

It is estimated that the cost to implement this proposal is $10,500.00, funds for which are available in the Transportation Services Division's 1999 Capitol Budget.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Bob Runnings, Traffic Investigator, 392-7771

Director.

RJR/br

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