September 20, 1999

 To:Works Committee

From:Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

Subject:Advance Warning on W.R. Allen Road at Eglinton Avenue West

Ward 28: York-Eglinton

Ward 22: North Toronto

Purpose:

To respond to a request from the Urban Environment and Development Committee for a report on the feasibility of providing additional advance warning on W.R. Allen Road, prior to Eglinton Avenue West, to warn motorists of the ending of the expressway.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds for the installation of rumble strips on W.R. Allen Road, estimated at $12,000.00 are contained within the Transportation Services 1999 Capital Budget Account No. TR804.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

Background:

At its meeting on March 31, 1999 the Urban Environment and Development Committee considered a communication from Councillor Joe Mihevc which requested a report on signalization - such as flashing amber lights - that could be installed on the W. R. Allen Expressway prior to Eglinton Avenue West to warn motorists of the ending of the expressway. (Clause No. 21(l) of Report No. 5 of the Urban Environment and Development Committee)

Discussion:

Staff of the Transportation Division have reviewed the conditions at this location, with input from staff of Toronto Police Services 13 Division, and have assessed alternatives for improvements.

Southbound W.R. Allen Road, south of Lawrence Avenue West, is a two-lane major arterial road with a posted speed limit of 80 km/hr which is reduced to 60 km/hr at a point 600 metres north of Eglinton Avenue West. Southbound W.R. Allen Road ends at Eglinton Avenue West. At its terminus, motorists must turn left to proceed eastbound on Eglinton Avenue West or right to proceed westbound. Both southbound turning movements are controlled by traffic signals and are separated by a triangular island. An entrance to Toronto Police Services 13 Division, for police vehicles only, is located on the south side of Eglinton Avenue west, directly across from the southbound right-turn lane of W.R. Allen Road.

A review of the Toronto Police Service collision records for this location over the five-year period ending December 31, 1998, indicates that a total of 71 collisions have been reported. Of these, the majority were southbound rear-end type collisions; six involved southbound motorists striking the island separating the southbound movements and/or proceeding completely through the intersection and onto Police property; and two involved pedestrians. One of the incidents involving a southbound motorist striking the island and proceeding through the intersection, resulted in the fatality of a cyclist crossing the entrance to the police property.

Over the past five years, some improvements have been made at this intersection to address the concern that motorists are not recognizing that W.R. Allen Road ends at this location. Additional warning signs have been installed both in advance of the intersection and at the intersection itself. Also, crash barrels have been provided at the triangular island as a protective barrier to stop vehicles from proceeding across the island.

The existing signs and signal indications are sufficient to advise motorists that W.R. Allen Road ends at Eglinton Avenue West. The concern is with motorists that are, for whatever reason, distracted or inattentive, and additional measures are required to capture their attention and focus them on the roadway ahead. Two possible alternatives for achieving this are the addition of amber warning flashers at the "Allen Road Ends 500m" signs currently located on both sides of the W.R. Allen Road southbound lanes in advance of the intersection, and/or the installation of "rumble strips" in the pavement on W.R. Allen Road approaching the intersection.

Both of these alternatives would serve to capture the attention of the driver approaching the intersection. However, the flashers still depend on the driver focusing ahead and reading the signs. The "rumble strips", through the additional stimuli of noise and vibration, would be more effective in capturing the attention of the inattentive driver. The estimated costs for these alternatives are almost equivalent at $13,000.00 for amber flashers and $12,000.00 for "rumble strips".

Conclusions:

The addition of "rumble strips" on the southbound lanes of W.R. Allen Road, approaching Eglinton Avenue West, will be effective in capturing the attention of southbound motorists to alert them of the change in conditions and thus lead them to recognize that W.R. Allen Road ends at the intersection. The "rumble strips" should be installed as an alternative to the suggestion of installing amber warning flashers in advance of the intersection.

Contact Name:

Jacqueline White

Manager, Traffic Operations

District 1

Phone: 397-5021

Fax: 392-8504

David C. Kaufman

General Manager, Transportation Services

Barry H. Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services