|
September 15, 1999
To:Works Committee
From:Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services
Subject:Reduction of Speed Limit from 60 km/h to 50 km/h
Islington Avenue between Dundas Street West and The Queensway
Kingsway-Humber; Councillors Mario Giansante, Gloria Lindsay Luby
Lakeshore-Queensway; Councillors Irene Jones, Blake Kinahan
Purpose:
To obtain approval to reduce the posted speed limit on Islington Avenue between Dundas Street West and The Queensway
from 60 km/h to 50 km/h.
Funding Sources:
The funds associated with the introduction of the appropriate regulatory and information signage are allocated within the
Transportation Services Division's Operating Budget.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the speed limit on Islington Avenue between Dundas Street West and The Queensway be reduced from 60 km/h to 50
km/h;
(2)the appropriate by-laws be amended accordingly; and
(3)the Toronto Police Service be requested to enforce the new 50 km/h speed limit on Islington Avenue.
Background:
The residents living on and in the vicinity of the section of Islington Avenue between The Queensway and Bloor Street
West have requested that the speed limit be lowered from 60 km/h to 50 km/h. In October 1997, the former Municipality of
Metropolitan Toronto lowered the speed limit on the section of Islington Avenue between Dundas Street West and
Prince George Drive/Ridge Valley Crescent, from 60 km/h to 50 km/h.
Discussion:
Islington Avenue between Bloor Street West and The Queensway is a four-lane north-south arterial roadway with exclusive
left-turn lanes provided at most signalized intersections. The adjacent land uses consist of a mix of residential and
commercial frontage with closely spaced driveways. Left turns into the driveways must be made from the median/center
lane.
Holy Angels Catholic School is located on the southwest quadrant of Islington Avenue and Jutland Road.
In view of residents concerns regarding vehicle speeds on Islington Avenue, Transportation Services Division staff
conducted speed studies on Islington Avenue, south of Dundas Street, during a typical weekday on Monday, June 7, 1999.
The speed study results are outlined in the following table:
Islington Avenue Speed Study
85th Percentile Speeds
| |
Northbound |
Southbound |
| Between Edgecroft Road and
Yorkview Road |
64 km/h |
65 km/h |
| Near Six Point Road
|
64 km/h |
68 km/h |
| Average |
64 km/h |
67 km/h |
The above-noted speed study results indicate that the majority of motorists were travelling over the posted 60 km/h speed
limit.
There are a number of roadway characteristics which support the introduction of a 50 km/h on the subject section of
Islington Avenue. Specifically, the road is four lanes wide without exclusive/centre left-turn lanes (except at signalized
intersections), and includes a mix of residential and commercial frontage with relatively close spaced driveways.
In view of these features, and the existing school zone, it would be appropriate to reduce the speed limit on the subject
section of Islington Avenue to 50 km/h. The resultant speed limit reduction would be consistent with other 50 km/h
sections of Islington Avenue, including the section north of Dundas Street West to Prince George Drive/Ridge Valley
Crescent.
It should be noted that the subject request did not include the relatively short section (approximately 700 metres) of
Islington Avenue between Bloor Street West and Dundas Street West. Accordingly, in order to provide a consistent speed
limit, it is recommended that the speed limit also be reduced to 50 km/h on this portion of Islington Avenue.
Our experience has shown that the most effective measure to increase speed limit compliance is consistent and sustained
police enforcement.
Speed studies previously undertaken on Islington Avenue north of Dundas Street West after the speed limit reduction, and
immediately after a period of sustained police enforcement, revealed that the 85th percentile speeds decreased by
approximately 5 km/h (7 percent) over those recorded immediately after the speed limit reduction without police
enforcement. In view of this, we will inform the Toronto Police Service, of our study recommendations, so that they may
initiate an appropriate enforcement program for this section of Islington Avenue. The resultant enforcement program may
be consolidated with the ongoing enforcement efforts on Islington Avenue north of Dundas Street West.
Further to the above, we recommend that 50 km/h speed limit signs be installed within the subject section of
Islington Avenue. Typically, all roadways within the City of Toronto have a statutory (unsigned) speed limit of 50 km/h,
unless otherwise signed. However, recognizing that motorists travelling on Islington Avenue have become accustomed to
the existing 60 km/h posted speed limit, it is felt advisable to install 50 km/h speed signs at least for an introductory period.
The estimated cost to install the speed limit reduction signs is approximately $1,500.00. These funds can be accommodated
within the 1999 Operating Budget.
Conclusions:
It is recommended that the speed limit on Islington Avenue between Dundas Street West and The Queensway be reduced
from 60 km/h to 50 km/h. This speed limit reduction will provide a speed limit, which is consistent with other sections of
Islington Avenue where there are comparable roadway characteristics. Coincident with the approval of the 50 km/h speed
limit and corresponding by-law(s), we will install 50 km/h speed limit signs as soon as budget and scheduling permit.
Contact Name:
Dominic Gulli, Manager
Traffic Operations, District 2
Phone: (416) 394-8409 Fax: (416) 394-8942
David C. Kaufman
General Manager, Transportation Services
Barry H. Gutteridge
Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
|
