Proposed Relocation of Traffic Control Signals -
The Queensway at Glendale Avenue (High Park)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (July 8, 1999) from the
Director, Transportation Services, District 1:
Purpose:
To relocate the existing mid-block pedestrian traffic control signals, streetcar stops and platforms on The Queensway
(presently located in front of St. Joseph's Health Centre) approximately 50 metres to the west, to the intersection of The
Queensway and Glendale Avenue.
Funding Sources:
The funds associated with traffic signals installations are contained in the Works and Emergency Services Capital
Programme under Project No. C-TR031. In 1999, $1.6 million has been allocated for traffic control signal installations.
These funds have been fully committed already through the approvals of 21 new signal installations. Therefore, unless
additional funding is identified in 1999, signal approvals for the balance of 1999 will be placed on a priority list for 2000
and await approval of the appropriate budget item in the 2000 Capital Budget. The estimated cost of the relocation of the
existing traffic control signals and civil elements (relocation of streetcar stops, platforms, and median island) on The
Queensway to Glendale Avenue is $150,000. This installation is subject to competing priorities.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)subject to the availability of funding, the existing mid-block pedestrian traffic control signals, streetcar stops and
platforms be installed on The Queensway at Glendale Avenue;
(2)The City Solicitor be authorized to submit a road alteration by-law for the intersection of The Queensway at Glendale
Avenue for alteration of the curb radii on the north side, installation of a median on the west leg, and relocation of both
streetcar platforms to the east side of Glendale Avenue, generally as shown in the attached plan SK-2229 dated July 1999;
(3)concurrent with this traffic control signal relocation, north-south pedestrian crossings be prohibited between Glendale
Avenue and a point 30.5 metres west thereof; and
(4)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.
Discussion:
At the present time, traffic control signals are provided across only the westbound lanes of The Queensway for pedestrians
to travel between the streetcar platforms and the entrance to St. Joseph's Health Centre.
The intersection of The Queensway and Glendale Avenue is located approximately 50 metres to the west of the existing
pedestrian signals, at the westerly end of St. Joseph's Health Centre. Glendale Avenue, a two-way residential roadway,
forms the north leg of a "T"-intersection with The Queensway.
Our observations at this intersection indicate that southbound motorists on Glendale Avenue experience delays waiting to
turn onto The Queensway. These delays are primarily attributed to insufficient gaps in the east-west traffic flow, the
horizontal curvature and vertical grade of The Queensway, in the vicinity of Glendale Avenue, which results in reduced
sightlines. Collision statistics provided by Toronto Police Services over a five-year period revealed that there were six
collisions of a type considered potentially preventable by the installation of traffic signals. Each of these six collisions
involved a southbound motorist turning onto The Queensway from Glendale Avenue and a westbound motorist on The
Queensway. During the same time period, there was one collision involving a pedestrian at the existing mid-block
pedestrian traffic signals on The Queensway, in front of St. Joseph's Health Centre. This particular collision occurred
while the patron was crossing The Queensway after alighting a streetcar.
Based on pedestrian and vehicle traffic volumes, the warrants for the installation of traffic control signals are satisfied at
the intersection of The Queensway and Glendale Avenue to the following extent:
Warrant 1:Minimum Vehicular Volume35 percent;
Warrant 2:Delay to Cross Traffic 100 percent; and
Warrant 3:Collision Hazard33 percent.
Either Warrant 1 or Warrant 2 must be satisfied to 100 percent, or any two of the three warrants must be satisfied to 80
percent for traffic control signals to be technically satisfied at this location.
The relocation of the existing mid-block pedestrian traffic signals to the intersection of The Queensway and Glendale
Avenue would necessitate the relocation of the existing streetcar stops and platforms. In order to ensure that an equitable
level of service to transit patrons is provided, the westbound streetcar stop will be placed near-side of Glendale Avenue and
the eastbound stop will be placed far-side of Glendale Avenue. Also, the traffic signal operation will require modifications
to the geometry to the north side of the intersection and installation of a small median island on the west leg. Further
consultation will be done with the Toronto Transit Commission, St. Joseph's Health Centre and the Ward Councillors to
finalize this intersection design. However, preliminary estimates indicate that the civil work would cost approximately
$50,000.00.
We have advised the Toronto Transit Commission of our proposal and they are not opposed to our recommendations. Also,
we have consulted with Councillors Chris Korwin-Kuczynski and David Miller and they support this proposal.
Conclusions:
Traffic control signals should be installed, coincident with the removal of the existing mid-block pedestrian control signals
and relocating the existing streetcar stops and platforms, at the intersection of The Queensway and Glendale Avenue to
improve the operational safety for pedestrians and motorists.
Contact Name:
J. White, Manager, Traffic Operations
3927-5021
