September 1, 1999
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services, District 1
Subject:Highfield Road between Dundas Street East and Gerrard Street East - Traffic calming measures (East Toronto)
Purpose:
To reduce the operating speed of motorists travelling on this section of Highfield Road.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Funds to cover the cost of this work in the estimated amount of $15,000.00 are available under Capital Fund Code No.
296702.
Recommendations:
(1) That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Highfield Road, from Dundas Street East to Gerrard Street
East 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 HIGHFIELD ROAD from Dundas Street East to Gerrard Street East, generally as
shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5350 dated March 1999.";
(2) That a speed limit of thirty kilometres per hour be introduced on Highfield Road from Dundas Street East to Gerrard
Street East, coincident with the implementation of speed humps and as legislation permits; and
(3) That the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to implement the foregoing,
including the introduction in Council of any Bills that might be required.
Comments:
In consultation with Councillors Sandra Bussin and Tom Jakobek, staff have investigated the feasibility of implementing
speed humps on Highfield Road from Dundas Street East to Gerrard Street East to reduce the number of speeding
motorists on this street.
Highfield Road between Dundas Street East and Gerrard Street East is a residential street operating one-way northbound
on a pavement width of 8.5 metres with a maximum speed limit of 40 km/h. Parking is prohibited at anytime on the west
side of the street from Gerrard Street East to Richard Avenue. Parking is allowed for a maximum period of one hour at
anytime on the west side from Richard Avenue to Dundas Street East and on the east side from Gerrard Street East to
Dundas Street East. Permit parking is in effect overnight on this section of Highfield Road.
Speed/volume surveys were conducted on October 21 and 22, 1998 on this section of Highfield Road. An average of 611
vehicles daily were recorded of which about 72 percent traveled in excess of the speed limit, including about 39.4 percent
which traveled at a rate of speed in excess of 50 km/h. The 85th percentile speed on this street was about 58 km/h.
Under the current Speed Hump Policy adopted by the previous City of Toronto Council on August 21, 1997, there are five
primary criteria that must be met before the installation of speed humps on a street should be considered. These criteria
were developed following analysis of speed hump policies in other parts of Canada and internationally and were deemed to
be the minimum standard required for speed humps to be an effective traffic calming measure.
The 85th percentile speed on Highfield Road between Dundas Street East and Gerrard Street East is unusually high for a
local street. Although the volume of traffic is less than required under the speed hump policy guidelines, given the
incidence of speeding the installation of speed humps on this street would reduce excessive speeding and enhance
operational safety. Staff have designed a speed hump plan (illustrated on drawing No. 421F-5350, attached) suggesting the
installation of 6 speed humps located at regular intervals along the street. We note that when designing a speed hump plan
staff try to locate speed humps away from curb cuts whenever possible. However, in this instance our options are severely
limited as over 50 curb cuts are located along Highfield Road. It is possible that some of the speed hump locations might
be a concern to some residents but we note that the illustrated plan can not be modified significantly if the integrity of the
plan is to be maintained.
As stipulated in the Policy, once it has been determined that speed hump installation is justified, a formal poll is conducted
of adults (18 years and older) of households directly abutting the affected section of the street, and also households on side
streets whose only access is from the street under consideration for speed hump installations. At least 60 percent of those
responding should be in favour of the proposal to authorize implementation. Accordingly, subject to approval by council
staff will conduct a poll of residents and report on the results at the deputation meeting for the project.
The changes proposed to the Highfield Road roadway as set out above constitute an alteration 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. Should
Council approve the above speed hump plan, consultations with the emergency services will be undertaken to ensure that
the detailed design does not unduly hamper their respective operations. However, speed humps would result in slower
operating speeds for all vehicles, including emergency vehicles resulting in increased response times.
This project is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Roads
Projects.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
David G. Dignard, Traffic Investigator, 392-7771
Director
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