Installation of Road Narrowing at
Pedestrian Crossover - Merton Street in
the vicinity of Premises No. 71 (North Toronto)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (June9,1999) from the Director,
Transportation Services District 1, Works and Emergency Services:
Purpose:
To channelize through traffic movements and provide a measure of protection for elderly pedestrians crossing at the
pedestrian crossover opposite Premises No. 71 Merton Street.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The estimated cost of this work is in the order of $6,000.00, which can be accommodated in the Transportation Services
Division 1999 Budget.
Recommendations:
(1)That approval be given to narrow the pavement width on Merton Street, from approximately 140 m east of Yonge
Street to a point 20 m further east thereof, in the vicinity of Premises No. 71 Merton Street on either side of the existing
pedestrian crossover, for the purpose of channelizing through traffic movements and providing a measure of pedestrian
protection, described as follows:
"The narrowing of the pavement from a width of 11.3 metres to a width varying from 9.5 metres to 11.3 metres on both
sides of the pedestrian crossover in the vicinity of Premises No. 71 MERTON STREET, from a point approximately 140 m
east of Yonge Street to a point 20 m further east thereof, as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5375 dated
May 1999, Revised June 1999";
(2)That parking be prohibited at anytime on the north side of Merton Street from a point 160 metres east of Yonge Street
to a point 40 metres further east and that the three parking meter spaces within this area be removed; and
(3)That the appropriate City Officials be authorized to take whatever action is necessary to implement the foregoing,
including the introduction in Council of any Bills required.
Comments:
At the request of Councillor Michael Walker, Transportation Services' staff investigated the feasibility of narrowing the
pavement in front of Premises No. 71 Merton Street (the Janet Magee Manor senior citizens' facility) at the existing
pedestrian crossover in order to enhance pedestrian safety, especially for seniors residing at this address. Following a
public meeting held on Friday, May 28, 1999, at Premises No. 71 Merton Street, the residents in attendance indicated their
support with the proposed roadway narrowing.
Merton Street is a collector/residential roadway with two-way traffic operation, a pavement width of 11.3 metres and a
maximum speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour. Metered parking is available on the north side of the street for a maximum
period of one hour from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday and parking is otherwise permitted for a maximum
period of three hours. Parking on the south side of the street is prohibited at anytime.
A review of available speed and volume data has revealed that the average daily speed on the section of Merton Street
between Mount Pleasant Road and Yonge Street was approximately 43 kilometres per hour and the operating speed or 85th
percentile speed (the speed at which 85 percent of the traffic volume operates at or below) was 52 kilometres per hour.
Incidents of excessive speeding (vehicles traveling in excess of 55 kilometres per hour) represented roughly 11 percent of
the combined average daily traffic volume (6,388 vehicles).
A check of Departmental collision data from January 1996 to December 1998, revealed that there were 2 collisions in the
vicinity of the pedestrian crossover (PXO) near Premises No. 71 Merton Street. Both collisions were rear-end collisions
involving vehicles that were stopped or in the process of stopping at the crossover. Neither of these collisions involved
pedestrians.
A site inspection recently conducted by Transportation Services staff confirmed that the overhead illuminated sign is
clearly visible by motorists approaching the crosswalk from either Yonge Street or Mt. Pleasant Road. If motorists do not
stop, it is not due to lack of visibility, but because they choose not to stop, or alternatively, the pedestrians may not have
actuated the overhead flashing beacon. It was also noted that the pavement markings at the crosswalk are visible, however,
they are somewhat faded. Staff will arrange to have these pavement markings repainted as soon as practicable. Also, to
further enhance the visibility of the PXO, staff will consider installing an additional overhead electrical fixture to augment
the existing fixture currently in place. This will result in increased lighting levels at the PXO and increased visibility of the
PXO to approaching motorists.
Prior to assessing the feasibility of narrowing the pavement at the subject PXO on Merton Street, Transportation Services
staff observed the operating conditions at the PXO on Davisville Avenue between Yonge Street and Mt. Pleasant Road,
where the pavement was narrowed by the placement of precast concrete islands in 1997. During the course of this
assessment, it was noted that a number of motorists failed to stop for pedestrians waiting to cross the street, however, with
less distance to cross the roadway, pedestrians, and in particular seniors, are exposed to traffic for a shorter period of time.
While narrowing the roadway at the subject PXO on Merton Street is technically feasible, it would require the removal of
three parking meter stalls to accommodate the requisite pavement marking taper on the north side of Merton Street,
immediately east of the crossover. The proximity of the crossover to existing driveway ramps precludes the possibility of
narrowing the roadway at the west side of the crossover on the north side of Merton Street and at the east side of the
crossover on the south side of Merton Street.
The narrowing of Merton Street as described above would constitute an alteration to the public highway pursuant to the
provisions of the Municipal Act. Accordingly, the alteration of the pavement configuration must be advertised in a local
newspaper and subsequently be subject to a public hearing. The project would be pre-approved in accordance with
Schedule "A" of the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Roads Projects.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Teresa Carmichael
Senior Traffic Investigator
392-7771
Insert Table/Map No. 1
Merton Street
