Traffic Concerns at Timberbank Junior Public School
on Timberbank Boulevard
Ward 14 - Scarborough Wexford
The Scarborough Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (June7, 1999) of the
Director of Transportation Services, District 4:
Purpose:
To address the need to amend the parking/stopping regulations on Timberbank Boulevard at Timberbank Junior Public
School.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The $1000.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of the parking/stopping regulation signs is available in
the Transportation Services 1999 budget, Account No. 100-TP0226.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the stopping regulations identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;
(2)the parking/stopping regulations identified in Appendix 2 of this report be adopted; and
(3)the appropriate by-law be amended accordingly.
Council Reference/Background/History:
At the request of Councillor Kelly and the principal of Timberbank Junior Public School, Transportation Services staff
investigated school related traffic/parking conditions. The study results have also been discussed at a public meeting on
May 13, 1999 in the community.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
Currently on Timberbank Boulevard, in front of the school, stopping is restricted between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from
Monday to Friday. This same restriction is posted on the south side of the road east of the pedestrian crossover at Fluellen
Drive. A school bus loading zone is also posted in front of the school. Appropriate school warning signs are posted in
advance of the school and a 40 km/h speed limit is posted on Timberbank Boulevard.
Pedestrian Crossing Observations:
Transportation Services staff recorded the volume and location of pedestrian crossings on Timberbank Boulevard, on
Tuesday, October 26, 1998. These observations revealed a total of 271 pedestrians crossed Timberbank Boulevard during
the 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00p.m. study periods. Unfortunately, most of the pedestrians (169, or 62
percent) did not utilize the crossing assistance provided by the pedestrian crossover. While no conflicts between
pedestrians and motorists were noted during our study, we have requested that the school consider coordinating with the
Toronto Police Service, Community Policing Support Unit, the establishment of a school safety patrol program at the
school. This program would encourage greater use of the pedestrian crossover, and should result in safer crossing
protection for the children.
Vehicle Observations:
Along with the pedestrian study, vehicular traffic observations were taken simultaneously. A total of 153 vehicles (82 in
the morning, 71 in the afternoon) parked along the front of the school during the study. Most of these parked along the
north/school side of Timberbank Boulevard. Unfortunately, 141 of these vehicles disobeyed the existing No Stopping
regulations or school bus loading zone.
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). Seven collisions have been reported during this time
period on Timberbank Boulevard in the area of Timberbank Junior Public School.
No pedestrians were involved in any of these collisions, and no personal injuries were reported. Based upon the frequency
and the nature of these collisions, they are not indicative of a safety problem.
Modifications to Parking Regulations:
Based on the results of our investigations, we are recommending changes at Timberbank Junior Public School to
accommodate "school side parking/opposite side no stopping." The specifics are as follows:
(1)Installing "30 Minute Parking, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" signs along the school/north side of
Timberbank Boulevard. These permissive parking restrictions would allow children direct access to the school grounds
from waiting vehicles. With vehicles permitted to temporarily park next to the school, passengers could avoid passing in
front of through traffic. This permissive parking restriction would replace the existing "No Stopping, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.,
Monday - Friday" prohibition posted along the school frontage. If the "permitted parking" change is approved, there will be
sufficient space along the school frontage for approximately 19 private vehicles to park temporarily.
(2) Enhancing the existing "No Stopping Anytime" signage to further delineate nine metres on either side of the
pedestrian crossover (PXO) on the north side of Timberbank Boulevard. The south/opposite side of the PXO is already
clearly marked.
(3) Reducing the current dimensions of the school bus loading zone from 68 metres to 14 metres and moving it to the
east side of the pedestrian crossover. This reduction in the school bus loading zone is intended to maximize the amount of
school side parking while still retaining a portion of this curb for special bus services (e.g., special school trips).
(4) Installing "No Stopping, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" signs along the south/opposite school side of
Timberbank Boulevard. The installation of these signs would require the alteration of the existing "No Stopping, 7:00 a.m.
- 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" prohibitions that extend from No. 143 Timberbank Boulevard to Fluellen Drive. Although
the dimensions of the stopping prohibitions will remain the same, the new hours are recommended so they are consistent
with standardized school area restrictions throughout the Scarborough District of Toronto.
The "No Stopping, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" signs would also continue along the south/opposite side of
Timberbank Boulevard which is presently unsigned between Fluellen Drive and Temple Bar Crescent (south intersection).
These altered and new prohibitions are recommended because they do not allow even temporary stopping during weekdays
and they maintain the effective road width for two-way traffic movement. The recommended "No Stopping, 8:00 a.m. -
4:00 p.m, Monday - Friday" signs should prevent the school-generated traffic from obstructing private driveways opposite
the school between No. 167 and No. 173 Timberbank Boulevard.
Public Consultation:
The recommended modifications described in this report were presented to the public on May 13, 1999, at a public meeting
at Timberbank Junior Public School. Those in attendance heard the school principal endorse these recommendations as a
major step to improving safety and traffic operations in front of his school. The recommendations were supported
unanimously.
Conclusion:
The modifications to the parking regulations on Timberbank Boulevard, as recommended within this report, will improve
the safety of pedestrians and the management of traffic in front of Timberbank Junior 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 Rescinded
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
HighwaySideFromToTimes or Days
TimberbankNorth61 Metres East of189.1 Metres further7:00 a.m. to
BoulevardCarondale CrescentEast6:00 p.m.
(East Intersection)Monday to Friday
TimberbankSouth15 Metres West of60 Metres further7:00 a.m. to
BoulevardFluellen DriveWest6:00 p.m.
Monday to Friday
Appendix 2
"No Stopping"
Prohibition to be Enacted
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4
HighwaySideFromToTimes or Days
TimberbankSouth61 metres East ofTemple Bar Crescent8:00 a.m. to
BoulevardCarondale Crescent(South Intersection)4:00 p.m.
(East Intersection)Monday to Friday
"Parking for Restricted Periods"
Restriction to be Enacted
Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5
Maximum
Period
HighwaySideFromToTimes or DaysPermitted
TimberbankNorth 61 metres East 189 metres8:00 a.m. to30 minutes
Boulevardof Carondalefurther East4:00 p.m.
Crescent (EastMonday to
Intersection)Friday