March 8, 1999
To:Urban Environment and Development Committee
From:General Manager, Transportation Services
Subject:Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals
Warden Avenue in Front of Centennial College and
Warden Avenue Junior Public School
Scarborough Bluffs: Councillors Gerry Altobello and Brian Ashton
Purpose:
To obtain approval for the installation of mid-block pedestrian traffic control signals in front
of Centennial College and Warden Avenue Junior Public School, coincident with the removal
of the existing pedestrian crossover (PXO).
Funding Sources:
The funds associated with new traffic signal installations are contained in the Transportation
Services Division's Capital Program under Project No. C-TR031. Total funding in this
program is $1.6 million for 1999. The estimated cost of installing mid-block pedestrian traffic
control signals on Warden Avenue in front of Centennial College and Warden Avenue Junior
Public School is $65,000.00 including the removal of the existing pedestrian crossover.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that;
(1)mid-block pedestrian traffic control signals be approved on Warden Avenue in front of
Centennial College and Warden Avenue Junior Public School;
(2)coincident with the traffic control signal installation, the existing pedestrian crossover be
removed; and
(3)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.
Background:
This location was investigated at the request of Councillors Brian Ashton and Gerry Altobello.
Both Councillors requested that staff review the feasibility of replacing the PXO on Warden
Avenue in front of Centennial College and Warden Avenue Junior Public School with
mid-block pedestrian traffic control signals.
Discussion:
Warden Avenue in front of Centennial College and Warden Avenue Junior Public School is a
four-lane arterial road with a two-way 24 hour traffic volume of 21,900 vehicles per day.
Adjacent traffic control signals are located 410 metres to the north at Firvalley Court and 353
metres to the south at Danforth Road. Burnhill Road/Mack Avenue is located approximately
55 metres south of the existing PXO.
An eight hour traffic control signal warrant study was conducted and revealed that mid-block
pedestrian traffic control signals are technically warranted. The results are listed below:
WarrantCompliance
(1)Minimum Vehicular Volume17 per cent
(2) Delay to Cross Traffic100 per cent
(3)Collision Hazard7 per cent
Either Warrant 1 or Warrant 2 should be 100 per cent satisfied or any two of the three
warrants should be 80 per cent satisfied to satisfy the minimum technical requirements for the
installation of traffic control signals. The "Collision Hazard" warrant is based on the number
of collisions that occurred at the intersection in a three-year period which were potentially
preventable by the installation of traffic control signals. Collision statistics provided by the
Toronto Police Service indicate one pedestrian collision over the three-year period from
January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1997 that was potentially preventable by the installation of
traffic control signals.
Based on the above information, the technical warrants for the installation of mid-block
pedestrian activated traffic control signals are met.
Most of the pedestrian crossing demand in this area is generated by the two Toronto Transit
Commission (T.T.C.) bus stops. The northbound bus stop is located on the east side of
Warden Avenue, immediately north of the existing PXO, and the southbound bus stop is
located on the west side of Warden Avenue near Burnhill Road/Mack Avenue. Most of the
pedestrians who board and alight at the southbound bus stop are destined to/from Centennial
College, and some cross Warden Avenue diagonally and do not utilize the adjacent PXO.
In view of this pedestrian crossing pattern, the T.T.C. will be relocating the existing
southbound bus stop to a point immediately north of the existing PXO/proposed mid-block
traffic control signals, across from the northbound bus stop. This will help to concentrate the
pedestrian crossing demand in this area and will encourage pedestrians to utilize the
pedestrian crossing device.
Warden Avenue is an arterial road, and the replacement of the existing PXO with mid-block
pedestrian traffic control signals will not have a significant impact on the effectiveness of this
arterial link within the network of arterial roads. Furthermore, the signals will enhance
pedestrian safety at this location.
Staff have contacted the ward Councillors and both Councillors Altobello and Ashton have
voiced support for the proposed installation of mid-block pedestrian traffic control signals at
this location.
Conclusions:
Mid-block pedestrian activated traffic control signals are technically warranted and are
recommended to replace the existing pedestrian crossover on Warden Avenue in front of
Centennial College and Warden Avenue Junior Public School. The installation of mid-block
pedestrian traffic control signals will enhance pedestrian safety in this area.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Peter K. Hillier, Manager
Traffic Operations, District 4
(416) 396-7148
David C. Kaufman
General Manager, Transportation Services
Barry H. Gutteridge
Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
ARF/wo
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