Proposed Installation of Speed Humps -

Briar Hill Avenue between Avenue Road

and Yonge Street (North Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (June 25, 1999) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 1:

Purpose:

To reduce the speed of traffic on Briar Hill Avenue between Avenue Road and Yonge Street by the introduction of speed humps.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds to cover the cost of the installation of the speed humps on Briar Hill Avenue in the estimated amount of $18,000.00 are available under the Transportation Services Division 1999 Capital Budget.

Recommendations:

(1)That approval be given to alter sections of the roadway on Briar Hill Avenue between Avenue Road and Yonge Street for traffic calming purposes as described below, with implementation subject to favourable results of the polling of affected residents pursuant to the policy related to speed humps as adopted by the former City of Toronto Council:

"The construction of speed humps on BRIAR HILL AVENUE between Avenue Road and Yonge Street, generally as shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5309, dated May 1999";

(2)That a speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour be introduced on Briar Hill Avenue between Avenue Road and Yonge Street coinciding with the implementation of speed humps and as legislation permits; and

(3)That the appropriate City Officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to give effect thereto including the introduction in Council of any Bills that are required.

Comments:

At the request of the Briar Hill Traffic Committee and in consultation with Ward 22 Councillors Anne Johnston and Michael Walker, Transportation Services' staff have investigated the feasibility of installing speed humps on Briar Hill Avenue to reduce speed of motor vehicles.

Briar Hill Avenue is a local residential street with a two-way operation and a daily weekday traffic flow of about 1,500 vehicles towards the Avenue Road end and about 2,000 vehicles toward the Duplex Avenue end. The speed limit is 40 km/h between Duplex Avenue and Avenue Road and 50 km/h between Yonge Street and Duplex Avenue. The pavement width is uniform at 8.5 m and the following parking regulations are in effect:

North side

(i)Parking is prohibited at anytime between Yonge Street and Rosewell Avenue;

(ii)Permit Parking is in effect from 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily between Avenue Road and Rosewell Avenue; and

(iii)Parking is otherwise permitted to a maximum of 3 hours.

South side

(iv)Parking is prohibited from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Monday to Friday between Duplex Avenue and Rosewell Avenue;

(vi)Parking is permitted for a maximum period of 60 minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily between Yonge Street and Duplex Avenue;

(vi)Permit Parking is in effect from 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily between Avenue Road and Rosewell Avenue; and

(vii) Parking is otherwise permitted to a maximum of 3 hours.

Speed studies conducted on Briar Hill Avenue between Avenue Road and Birdsall Avenue over a three day period in November 1998 revealed a weekday average speed of 46 km/h, an operating speed (speed at which 85 percent of the daily traffic travels at or under) of 58 km/h and that 22 percent of the vehicles travelled in excess of 55 km/h. Between Duplex Avenue and Rosewell Avenue, the average speed was 44 km/h, the operating speed was 54 km/h and 13 percent of the vehicles travelled in excess of 55 km/h.

To be consistent with the former City of Toronto's Speed Hump Policy, two speed humps per block could be installed on each of the short blocks and four speed humps per block on the longer blocks. The proposed locations for the 12 speed humps are generally shown on the attached print of Drawing No. 421F-5309, dated May 1999.

In light of the above and apparent support evident at the public meeting convened by the Ward Councillors and attended by Transportation staff, on May 5, 1999, it is recommended that the residents be polled to determine the level of community support for the speed hump proposal as outlined above.

The installation of speed humps on Briar Hill Avenue constitute an alteration to public highways pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act. This project is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule A of the Class Environmental Assessment for Municipal Road Projects.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Michael J. Harris, Supervisor Traffic Engineering, 392-7711