Flashing Control Beacon at
King Street and George Street
Ward 27, York-Humber
Director of Transportation Services, District 1
(November 16, 1999)
Purpose:
To advise of the impacts of installing a flashing control beacon at the intersection of
King Street and George Street as recommended previously by York Community
Council.
Financial Implications:
The necessary funds for the installation of a flashing control beacon at this intersection,
estimated at $5,000.00, are not available within the Transportation Services 1999 Current
Budget. The cost of this work could be provided for in the Transportation Services Current
Estimates for installation in 2000.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that a flashing control beacon not be installed at the intersection of
King Street and George Street.
Background:
York Community Council, at its meeting of June 22, 1999, approved a motion to install
a flashing control beacon at the intersection of King Street and George Street, as a
cautionary measure to enhance the visibility of the stop controls (Clause No. 15(h) of
Report No. 7).
Comments:
Prior to the decision related to the installation of a flashing beacon, staff were
requested to review the feasibility of installing a raised pedestrian crossing at the
intersection of King Street and George Street to improve pedestrian safety. This report
reviews the relative merits and impacts of these traffic control measures for improving
safety within the intersection.
Both King and George Streets are classified as local roadways, providing two-way
vehicular movements. These streets form a "T" intersection under all-way stop
control. The legal speed limit on each street is 40 km/h.
Intersection flashing control beacons are intended for use where traffic or physical
conditions do not warrant full traffic control signals but where high accident rates
indicate a special condition. The introduction of an all-way stop control at this location
was the result of established warrant criteria being fulfilled, more specifically
vehicular and pedestrian usage.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the all-way stop control, a compliance observation
study was undertaken at this intersection over an eight hour daytime period. The
results of this study revealed the following:
(a) Total number of vehicles coming to a complete stop - 1,999;
(b) Total number of vehicles making an illegal rolling stop - 42; and
(c) Total number of vehicles ignoring the stops - zero.
As the study results reveal currently 98 percent of the motor vehicles entering the
intersection of King Street and George Street are obeying the stop sign controls.
Reviewing the collision history over the past five years reveals no reported collisions
having occurred. These combination of factors do not support consideration of
introducing further traffic control measures to safely regulate right-of-way. We are
also concerned that such an installation at this location, which is a relatively typical
local intersection, could lead to other such requests.
Conclusions:
Based on these study findings the existing all-way stop control is serving the safety
needs of all users. The introduction of further traffic control measures, such as
flashing hazard identification beacons or traffic calming (i.e. a tabled intersection)
would provide no safety enhancement to support the existing all-way stop control
and, therefore, cannot be justified.
Contact:
Jacqueline White
Manager, Traffic Operations, District 1
Phone: 397-5021
Fax: 392-8504
Jacqueline_white@toronto.ca
