Reduction of Speed Limit on Rogers Road

between (i) Oakwood Avenue and McRoberts Avenue; and

(ii) Silverthorn Avenue and Old Weston Road

Ward 27, York Humber and Ward 28, York Eglinton

The York Community Council recommends that:

(1)the York Uniform Traffic By-law No. 2985-94 be amended to reduce the speed limit to 40 km/h at the following locations on Rogers Road:

(a)between Oakwood Avenue and McRoberts Avenue; and

(b)between Silverthorn Avenue and Old Weston Road; and

(2)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

The York Community Council submits the following report (March 16, 1999) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 1:

Purpose:

Review and report on a request to consider reducing the speed limit on Rogers Road.

Recommendation:

That this report be received for information.

Background:

York Community Council, at its meeting on July 22, 1998, in considering a communication (March10, 1998) from Councillor Joe Mihevc requested staff to bring forward reports on the proposed reduction of speed on Rogers Road (Clause 23 (q) of Report 8).

Comments:

Rogers Road is a two lane local primary roadway extending from Oakwood Avenue to WestonRoad. This street traverses in an east/west direction and operates two-way.

The present legal speed limits on Rogers Road between Oakwood Avenue and Weston Road are as follows:

As Council is aware, it is current policy to prescribe a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h on streets which abut schools, parks and playgrounds or which are characterized by sharp curves or steep grades. In keeping with this policy the section of Rogers Road between McRoberts Avenue and Silverthorn Avenue is by-lawed and signed with a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h, to reinforce motorists' awareness and maximize safety for the children attending St. Nicholas of Bari School.

Experience has shown that the majority of motorists tend to travel at speeds dictated by the physical characteristics of a roadway and the surrounding environment, rather than by the legally prescribed speed limit. In this regard, we would anticipate that a lower legal speed limit would have litte impact on actual operating speeds unless vigorously enforced.

The results of the speed studies undertaken on Rogers Road between Northcliffe Boulevard and Lauder Avenue revealed that 85 percent of the vehicles were travelling at or below 53.9 km/h. Similarly, the speed studies undertaken on Rogers Road west of Harvie Avenue revealed 85 percent of the vehicles were travelling at or below 55.3 km/h. These results indicate the current legal speed limit of 50 km/h is appropriate. In fact only 4.5% of the 86,762 vehicles recorded during a seven day study were actually exceeding the speed limit by 10 km/h and greater.

Conclusions:

Rogers Road is a primary roadway, as such its purpose is to carry heavier vehicular volumes. The present speed limit of 50 km/h within those two sections of Rogers Road from Oakwood Avenue to McRoberts Avenue and from Silverthorn Avenue to Weston Road is appropriate and a reduction in speed limit to 40 km/h is not required.

Contact person:

Jacqueline White

Manager, Traffic Operations, District 1

Tel: 397-5021; Fax: 392-8504