April 13, 1999

To:The Urban Environment and Development Committee

From:Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

Subject:Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals on Front Street East at George Street

Downtown:Councillors Olivia Chow and Kyle Rae

Purpose:

To install traffic control signals and remove the existing pedestrian crossover at the intersection of Front Street East and George Street.

Funding Sources:

The funds associated with the new traffic signal installations are contained in the Works and Emergency Services Capital program under Project No. C-TR031. In 1999, $1.6 million has been allocated for new traffic control signal installations. The estimated cost of the installation of traffic control signals on Front Street East at George Street is $74,000.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)traffic control signals be installed on Front Street East at George Street, coincident with the removal of the existing pedestrian crossover; and

(2)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.

Discussion:

Our Department reviewed the pedestrian and vehicle traffic operations at this intersection, and specifically evaluated the feasibility of replacing the existing pedestrian crossover with traffic control signals.

Front Street East in the vicinity of George Street is a four-lane arterial roadway. George Street is a two-lane local roadway, which is controlled with "Stop" signs at Front Street East. A pedestrian crossover is located on the east leg of this intersection. Based on pedestrian and vehicle traffic volumes at this intersection, the warrants for the installation of traffic control signals are satisfied to the following extent:

Warrant 1:Minimum Vehicular Volume68 percent;

Warrant 2:Delay to Cross Traffic 100 percent; and

Warrant 3:Collision Hazard40 percent.

Either Warrant 1 or Warrant 2 must be satisfied to 100 percent, or any two of the three warrants must be satisfied to 80 percent for traffic control signals to be technically warranted. Based on the above results, the technical warrants for the installation of traffic control signals are satisfied at this intersection. Therefore, traffic control signals should be installed at this intersection.

We have consulted with Councillors Olivia Chow and Kyle Rae and they support this proposal.

Conclusion:

Traffic control signals should be installed, coincident with the removal of the existing pedestrian crossover, at the intersection of Front Street East and George Street to improve the operational safety for pedestrians and motorists.

Contact Name:

Danny Budimirovic, P.Eng.

Traffic Engineer, District 1 - Central Area

416-392-5209

David C. Kaufman

General Manager, Transportation Services

Barry H. Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

DB/cg