REQUEST FOR ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL AT WILLARD AVENUE AND HANLEY STREET

Ward 27, York-Humber

Director of Transportation Services, District 1

(March 15, 1999)

Purpose:

To respond to a request from York Community Council to evaluate the need for an all-way stop control at the intersection of Willard Avenue and Hanley Street.

Funding Sources:

None required.

Recommendation:

That this report be received for information

Background:

York Community Council, at its meeting of December 9, 1998 in considering a communication (December 1, 1998) from Councillor Bill Saundercook requested a report on the feasibility of installing an all-way stop control at the intersection of Willard Avenue and Hanley Street (ClauseNo.7(y) of Report No. 15).

Comments:

Willard Avenue is classified as a local roadway, operating two-way in a north/south direction between Dundas Street West and Bloor Street West. Hanley Street is classified as a local roadway between Willard Avenue and Jane Street, operating one-way in a westbound direction. These streets form a "T" intersection with no control.

In order for all-way stop control to be justified at an intersection, established warrant criteria must be fulfilled. The criteria include such factors as right-of-way conflicts, vehicular and pedestrian usage of the intersection, physical and geometric configuration, and surrounding area traffic control. This intersection does not satisfy the operational elements for the installation of an all-way stop sign control.

Specifically, the highest recorded vehicular volume in a one hour period, from all approaches, throughout a day was only 96 vehicles during the afternoon peak hour. These are very low peak period volumes at an intersection where all-way stop control is being considered. Also, Toronto Police Service collision records for this intersection for the three year period from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1997 revealed that there were no reported collisions at this intersection.

It should also be noted that Hanley Street is designated as a one-way street in a westbound direction, away from the intersection. Therefore, no conflicting vehicular volumes enter this intersection.

Conclusions:

Due to very low traffic volumes, no reported collision experience, and no unusual physical characteristics, an all-way stop control is not warranted at the intersection of Willard Avenue and Hanley Street. It should also be mentioned that the installation of a particular control in a situation where it is not warranted will not necessarily guarantee safer conditions. Such measures tend to erode driver respect and obedience of these controls, leading to a degree of non-compliance.