Installation of Speed Humps - Castlefield Avenue

from Chaplin Crescent to Caldow Road

(North Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (May6,1999) from the Director of Transportation Services, District 1, Works and Emergency Services:

Purpose:

To reduce the incidences of speeding vehicles on Castlefield Avenue between Chaplin Crescent and Caldow Road.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The estimated cost for this proposal is $6,600.00, funds for which are available in the Transportation Services Division's 1999 Budget request.

Recommendations:

(1)That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Castlefield Avenue, from Chaplin Crescent to Caldow Road for traffic calming purposes as described below, with implementation subject to the favourable results of polling of the affected residents pursuant to the policy related to speed hump installation as adopted by the former City of Toronto Council:

"The construction of speed humps on Castlefield Avenue from Chaplin Crescent to Caldow Road, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5368, April 1999,"

(2)That the speed limit be reduced from forty kilometres per hour to thirty kilometres per hour on Castlefield Avenue from Chaplin Crescent to Caldow Road, coincident with the implementation of the traffic calming measures; and

(3)That the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take whatever action is necessary to implement the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that might be required.

Comments:

At the request of North Toronto Ward Councillors Anne Johnston and Michael Walker on behalf of area residents, Transportation Services staff investigated concerns regarding excessive speeding and the feasibility of installing speed humps on Castlefield Avenue from Chaplin Crescent to Caldow Road.

The subject section of Castlefield Avenue operates two-way on a pavement width of 8.5 metres with a maximum speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour. Parking is prohibited at anytime on the south side of the street. Parking on the north side is permitted for a maximum period of three hours.

Transportation Services staff recently conducted a 24 hour speed and volume survey on the subject section of Castlefield Avenue which showed a daily traffic volume as high as 1,000 vehicles. A high average operating speed of 61 kilometres per hour was recorded, with about 30 percent exceeding 55 kilometres per hour, which is greater than experienced on most residential streets in the Toronto community.

In this regard, the traffic calming proposal, as illustrated on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5368, dated April 1999, consists of three speed humps. A speed limit reduction to 30 kilometres per hour as permitted by the City of Toronto Act, 1996, would be appropriate. No impacts on parking are anticipated, no changes to parking regulations are required, and the effects on snow removal, street cleaning and garbage collection should be minimal.

As stipulated in the Policy, once it has been determined that speed hump installation is technically warranted, a formal poll should be conducted of adults (18 years and older) of households directly abutting the affected section of street, and also households on side streets whose only access is from the street under consideration for speed hump installations. Under this policy, at least 60 percent of those responding should be in favour of the proposal to authorize implementation. Accordingly, staff will conduct a poll of residents and report on the results at the deputation meeting for the project.

The changes proposed to Castlefield Avenue, as described above, constitute an alteration to a public highway pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act. The intent of Council to enact a by-law to authorize any physical changes resulting in the alteration of the pavement configuration must be advertised and subsequently be subject to a public hearing. In the interim, consultations with the emergency services will be undertaken to ensure that the detailed design does not unduly hamper their respective operations.

This project is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class Environmental Assessment for the Municipal Roads Project.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Teresa Carmichael, Traffic Investigator, 392-7771

The Toronto Community Council also submits the following communication (May 10, 1999) from Councillor Johnston:

Recommendation:

That the appropriate City staff review the feasibility of installing speed humps on Castlefield Avenue, Caldow Road to Castlewood Road, and report back to the Toronto Community Council.

Background:

Request from Castlefield Avenue resident.

The Toronto Community Council also submits the following communication (April 23, 1999) from Councillor Walker:

I refer to a March 31, 1999, letter from Mr. Andrew Koropeski regarding the above.

I would appreciate if you could prepare a sketch and report directly to Toronto Community Council for authority to undertake a poll to determine support of area residents with respect to the installation of speed humps.

I appreciate your assistance in this matter.

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(Communication dated March 31, 1999, addressed to Councillor Walker

from the Director of Transportation Services, District 1,

Works and Emergency Services)

I refer to your letter of December 10, 1998, acknowledging my letter of October 26, 1998, regarding the above.

Castlefield Avenue from Caldow Road to Chaplin Crescent exhibits a high operating speed profile (61 kilometres per hour average) which is greater than experienced on most residential streets in the Toronto community. Given the evident speeding and that daily traffic volumes are 1,000 vehicles have been recorded, it would not be unreasonable to continue to process for considering speed humps on this section of Castlefield Avenue.

In this regard, upon your concurrence or that of Councillor Anne Johnston, we will be pleased to prepare a sketch and report to the Toronto Community Council requesting authority to undertake a poll to determine the consensus of the area residents with respect to the installation of speed humps.

As you are aware, this formal poll would include all adults (18 years and older) of households directly abutting the affected section of street, and also those households on side streets whose only access is from the street under consideration for speed hump installation. A favourable poll of 60 percent of all responses is required before speed hum installation can proceed.

If the results of the poll are negative, another poll cannot be conducted for a two year period. At the same time that authorization to conduct the poll is requested, consultations with the emergency services agencies are undertaken to ensure that the detailed design does not unduly hamper their respective operations.

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(Communication dated December 10, 1998, addressed to the

Director of Transportation Services, District 1, Works and Emergency Services,

from Councillor Walker)

I I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 26, 1998, regarding the traffic study carried out on Castlefield Avenue between Caldow Road and Chaplin Crescent.

According to your study an average 966 cars were reported using this section of Castlefield Avenue each day. While I appreciate that the one of the primary criteria for a street to qualify for the installation of speed humps is a 24 hour volume of over 1000 cars, a volume of 966 cars is right on the cusp of meeting that criterion.

In addition, given the fact that over 75 percent of all traffic recorded in the study was travelling above the posted speed limit, I believe this case deserves special consideration. While I appreciate your request of Toronto Police Services to consider enhanced enforcement on this section of Castlefield Avenue, a more permanent solution is needed. Speed humps will force drivers to slow down.

Under the circumstances, I would like to vary the suggested guidelines and move forward towards a process of public consultation and polling despite being 34 cars shy of the 1000 car prerequisite.

I would appreciate your feedback on this matter.