Traffic Concerns at Morrish Public School
on Canmore Boulevard
Ward 16 - Scarborough Highland Creek
The Scarborough Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report
(March 11, 1999) from the Director of Transportation Services, District 4:
Purpose:
To address the need to install stopping regulations on Canmore Boulevard at Morrish Public
School.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The $1,000.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of the stopping prohibition
signs is available in the Transportation Services 1999 budget estimates, Account No.
100-TP10226.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the stopping regulations identified in Appendix 1 of this report be adopted; and
(2)the appropriate by-law be amended accordingly.
Council Reference/Background/History:
At the request of the vice-principal of Morrish Public School, Transportation Services staff
investigated school related traffic/parking conditions.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
Currently on Canmore Boulevard, in front of the school, neither parking nor stopping
regulations are posted with the exception of a nine metre "No Stopping Anytime" prohibition
on either side of the pedestrian crossover at Halfmoon Square. Canmore Boulevard has a
posted 40 kilometre per hour speed limit and appropriate School Area signs. A Toronto
Transit Commission (TTC) bus stop is located on the south side of the street, immediately
west of the school turning loop.
Pedestrian Crossing Observations:
Transportation Services staff recorded the volume and location of pedestrians crossing
CanmoreBoulevard in the vicinity of the school, on Monday, May 11, 1998. These
observations revealed a total of 220 pedestrians crossed Canmore Boulevard during the 8:00
a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. study periods. Most of the pedestrians did not
cross within the pedestrian crossover and no conflicts were observed between pedestrians and
motorists.
Vehicle Observations:
At the same time as the pedestrian study, vehicular traffic observations were undertaken. A
total of 63 vehicles (38 in the morning, 25 in the afternoon) parked in the vicinity of the
school during the study. Most of these parked along the south/school side of Canmore
Boulevard to the west of the TTC bus stop. Furthermore, TTC buses do not service Canmore
Boulevard during the peak school admission/dismissal periods. As a result, there was no
conflict between the parents picking-up and dropping-off their children and TTC buses.
Collision History:
In addition to the studies outlined above, we conducted a three year, five month collision
review for the years in which we have the most current data (from January 1, 1995 to May 31,
1998.) Five collisions have been reported during this time period on Canmore Boulevard in
the area of MorrishPublic School.
Four of these collisions involved only minor property damage. The other collision occurred on
a Saturday in 1997 when a six year old child ran from behind a parked car and was struck by a
moving vehicle. This collision was at the intersection of Canmore Boulevard at Calverly Trail
(west intersection.) Although any collision is regrettable, based upon the frequency and the
nature of these collisions, they are not indicative of a safety problem.
Based on the results of our investigations, we are recommending the standard "school side
parking/opposite side no stopping" regulations be installed on Canmore Boulevard at Morrish
Public School. The specifics are as follows:
(1) Installing "No Stopping, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday" signs along the
north/opposite the school side of Canmore Boulevard. These restrictions are recommended
because they do not allow even temporary parking. The intention of these signs will be to
prevent passengers from boarding or alighting on the opposite side of the road and crossing in
front of through traffic. This prohibition will also help to keep the private driveways opposite
the school, between No. 56 - No. 74 Canmore Boulevard, unobstructed by school generated
traffic.
(2) Leaving the school/south side of Canmore Boulevard as it exists currently - unsigned. By
not installing more parking restrictions along this side of the road, private vehicle passengers
will continue to be allowed direct access to the school grounds from vehicles parking or
standing on a short term basis. With vehicles permitted to park next to the school, passengers
could avoid walking in front of through traffic. It should be noted that all unsigned roads in
Toronto are controlled by a default parking regulation of a three hour limit. This differs
slightly from our typical recommendation of a 30 minute time period, however, at this
location, long duration parking during the day is not a concern. Currently, there is sufficient
space along the school curb for approximately 11 private vehicles to park temporarily.
Conclusion:
In order to encourage all school-related parking and drop-off and pick-up on the school side of
Canmore Boulevard, staff recommend that the standard "school side parking/opposite side no
stopping" treatment be introduced in the vicinity of Morrish Public School.
Contact Name:
Bruce Clayton
Supervisor, Traffic Engineering, Works and Emergency Services
Telephone: 396-7844
Fax: 396-5681
E-mail: clayton@city.scarborough.on.ca
Appendix 1
"No Stopping"
Prohibition to be Enacted
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
HighwaySideFromToTimes or Days
CanmoreNorthCalverly Trail75 metres west of8:00 a.m. to
Road(East Intersection)Halfmoon Square4:00 p.m.
Monday to
Friday