September 13, 1999

To:Works Committee

From:Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

Subject:Removal of Right-Turn Restriction - Victoria Park Avenue and Farmcrest Drive

Ward No. 14, Scarborough Wexford: Councillors Norm Kelly and Mike Tzekas

 Purpose:

To report on the results of an investigation of the need to remove the northbound right-turn restriction on Victoria Park Avenue at Farmcrest Drive.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the northbound right-turn restriction on Victoria Park Avenue at Farmcrest Drive, in effect from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, be rescinded; and

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

Council Reference/Background/History:

As a result of a request from the Toronto Police Service, Transportation Services staff investigated the need for the northbound right-turn restriction that is in effect at the intersection of Victoria Park Avenue and Farmcrest Drive. This restriction applies between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. We were requested to examine this restriction to determine if it is redundant considering there is a full-time compulsory left-turn movement eastbound on Farmcrest Drive at Meadowacres Drive, and the area has been re-developed since this restriction was installed. The Toronto Police Service is receiving complaints from motorists who are ticketed for making the illegal right turn from Victoria Park Avenue.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Staff conducted a study at this location on Wednesday, July 7, 1999, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., to determine the number of right turns from northbound on Victoria Park Avenue onto Farmcrest Drive and northbound from Victoria Park Avenue into the plaza via a driveway immediately north of Farmcrest Drive.

Staff observed 71 motorists disobeying the right-turn restriction in the two-hour study. This is a relatively large number of violations of the right-turn restriction considering this location does experience a fairly high degree of enforcement. Staff also noted that, of the 176 motorists who turned into the afore-mentioned plaza driveway from Victoria Park Avenue, 67 proceeded to immediately exit to Meadowacres Drive. This movement was to circumvent the right-turn restriction on Victoria Park Avenue at Farmcrest Drive.

The history of these turn restrictions originates in the mid-seventies when residents were complaining about traffic infiltration in the community east of Farmcrest Drive and Meadowacres Drive. Based on previous reports to Scarborough Council, it appears that the right-turn restriction from Victoria Park Avenue was installed prior to the full-time compulsory turn at Meadowacres Drive.

Staff also examined turning movements at the intersection of Farmcrest Drive and Meadowacres Drive on Tuesday, August 10, 1999. The study was conducted over three hours, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 85 vehicles were recorded disobeying the compulsory left-turn sign and turning right or proceeding straight through from Farmcrest Drive (7 right, 78 straight through). Staff did not observe a decrease in the number of motorists disobeying this particular sign during the 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. time period when the right-turn restriction at Victoria Park Avenue is in effect.

Conclusions:

Because the compulsory left-turn regulation prevents access into the residential area from Farmcrest Drive at Meadowacres Drive at all times, the northbound right-turn restriction from Victoria Park Avenue to Farmcrest Drive, between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, does seem redundant. Therefore, staff is recommending that this restriction be removed.

Both Councillor Kelly and Councillor Tzekas have been advised of this staff recommendation and have not yet expressed an opinion on the matter.

Contact Name:

Peter K. Hillier

Manager, Traffic Operations, District 4

Tel: (416) 396-7148

Fax: (416) 396-5681

  David C. Kaufman

General Manager, Transportation Services

   Barry H. Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

PKH:ca/wo

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