STAFF REPORT
November 17, 1999
To: Toronto Community Council
From: Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services, District 1
Subject: Old Forest Hill Road, from Eglinton Avenue West to Hilltop Road - Installation of speed humps. (North Toronto)
Purpose:
To reduce the speed of motor vehicles on Old Forest Hill Road, between Eglinton Avenue West and Hilltop Road.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The estimated cost for this proposal is $9,000.00, funds for which are available in the Transportation Services 1999 Capital
Budget.
Recommendations:
(1) That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Old Forest Hill Road, from Eglinton Avenue West to Hilltop
Road, 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 OLD FOREST HILL ROAD, from Eglinton Avenue West to Hilltop Road, generally
as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5490, dated October 1999";
(2) That the speed limit be reduced from forty kilometres per hour to thirty kilometres per hour on Old Forest Hill Road,
from Eglinton Avenue West to Hilltop Road, coincident with the implementation of the traffic calming measures and as
legislation permits; and
(3) 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.
Comments:
At the request of North Toronto Ward Councillor Michael Walker and in consultation with Councillor Anne Johnston, on
behalf of area residents, Transportation Services' staff investigated the feasibility of installing speed humps on Old Forest
Hill Road, from Eglinton Avenue West to Hilltop Road.
The subject section of Old Forest Hill Road operates two-way on a pavement width of 8.5 metres and a maximum speed
limit of 40 kilometres per hour.
A 24-hour speed and volume survey was recently conducted on the subject section of Old Forest Hill Road over a five day
period. The results of the survey revealed a combined daily average of 3,743 vehicles in both directions during the
midweek period, of which 3,364 (90 percent) travelled at a rate of speed of 55 kilometres per hour or less and 379 (10
percent) travelled at a rate of speed in excessive 55 kilometres per hour. The combined average operating speed (the speed
travelled by up to 85 percent of all motorists) was 52 kilometres per hour. The average speed of all vehicles was 44
kilometres per hour.
During the weekend period, the subject section of Old Forest Hill Road carried an average daily volume of 2,548 vehicles,
of which 2,199 (86 percent) travelled at a rate of speed of 55 kilometres per hour or less and 349 (14 percent) travelled at a
rate of speed of 55 kilometres per hour or more. The average operating speed (85th percentile speed) was 55 kilometres per
hour. The average speed of all vehicles was 45 kilometres per hour.
The traffic calming proposal, as illustrated on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5490 dated October 1999, consists
of six speed humps. 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 section of the street, and
also households on sidestreets 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, staff will conduct a poll of residents and report on the results at the deputation meeting for the project.
The changes proposed to Old Forest Hill Road, as described 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. In the
interim, 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 lower 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 the Municipal
Roads Project.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Teresa Carmichael, Traffic Investigator,
Telephone: 392-7771
Fax No.: 392-0816
E-mail: tcarmich@toronto.ca
Director
TFC/tc
List of Attachments:
Speed hump proposal Drawing No. 421F-5490, dated October 1999
(p:\1999\ug\cws\ipt\to990295.ipt) - acb
