Request for an All-Way Stop Control on

Nashdene Road and Dynamic Drive

Ward 18 - Scarborough Malvern

The Scarborough Community Council recommends:

(1)that the recommendation contained in the following report be struck out; and

(2)that an all-way stop control be installed on Nashdene Road and Dynamic Drive.

The Scarborough Community Council submits the following report (April 29, 1999) from the Director of Transportation Services, District 4:

Purpose:

To report on the results of studies conducted at the intersection of Nashdene Road and Dynamic Drive.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not Applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At the request of Councillor Balkissoon, Transportation Services is reporting the results of our investigations at the intersection of Nashdene Road and Dynamic Drive.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The intersection of Nashdene Road and Dynamic Drive is located in the industrial area north of Finch Avenue, west of Markham Road. Both of these roads are considered collector roads. Currently, stop signs exist on Dynamic Drive. A hidden intersection sign was recently installed eastbound on Nashdene Road in advance of this intersection. Because of the fall in the vertical curve on Nashdene Road, just west of this intersection, the sight lines are not as generous as at neighbouring intersections in this area. This sign advises eastbound motorists that caution on their part is also required in travelling through this area.

The justification for the installation of traffic control signals (TCS) and all-way stop controls (AWSC) is based on technical warrants established by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). The analysis of these warrants is based on data compiled from an 8-hour traffic study. Traffic studies were conducted on Thursday, February 18, 1999.

Traffic Control Signals:

Study hours used in the warrant calculations are 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To warrant the installation of traffic control signals, compliance levels of 100 percent are required in one of the above categories or 80 percent in both. In brief, these findings indicate that there is insufficient vehicular traffic entering the intersection on both the major and minor roads to satisfy the Traffic Control Signal Warrant at this time.

Collision History:

A review of the collision history for the latest period for which we have complete data, January 1, 1995 to May 31, 1998, reveals the following:

We are unable to review collisions after May 31, 1998 as the completed data is not yet available from the police.

All-Way Stop Control:

The justification for the installation of an all-way stop control is based on a technical warrant established by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), and adopted as the City Policy by the former Scarborough Council.

Traffic studies conducted on Thursday, February 18, 1999 produced the following results which illustrate that the Warrant's requirements for a collector road are not satisfied:

As illustrated in the above table, the minimum requirements are fulfilled in one hour (*) while the full warrant requires fulfillment of the minimum requirements in all eight hours.

In addition to the Warrant, the following outlines the main reasons why the installation of unwarranted all-way stop controls are not recommended:

(i)Most motorists are reasonable and prudent with no intention of maliciously violating traffic regulations. However, when an unreasonable restriction is imposed (such as an unwarranted all-way stop control) it can result in flagrant violations.

(ii)Unwarranted stop signs often result in an increase in speeds by motorists who try to make up lost time for what they perceive as unnecessary delays.

(iii)The City has an obligation to provide services in an environmentally conscious manner. The installation of unwarranted stop controls not only undermines the Warrant but contributes to unnecessary fuel consumption and higher levels of noise and air pollution. These pollutants most specifically impact those residents in the immediate vicinity of the intersection.

Conclusions:

In summary, our traffic studies reveal neither an all-way stop control nor traffic control signals are warranted at the intersection of Nashdene Road and Dynamic Drive. Based on the study results, this intersection is operating safely with the existing controls.

Contact Name:

Bruce Clayton

Supervisor, Traffic Engineering, Works and Emergency Services

Telephone: 396-7844

Fax: 396-5681

E-mail: clayton@city.scarborough.on.ca

Mr. David Moffat, Honeywell Limited, appeared before the Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter.