Traffic Calming Plan on Humbercrest Boulevard

from Dundas Street West to St. John's Road

Ward 27, York Humber

The York Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (July 7, 1999) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 1:

Purpose:

To provide a traffic calming plan on Humbercrest Boulevard, between Dundas Street West and St. John's Road, for consideration as part of the planned pavement, sidewalk and curb reconstruction contract scheduled for 1999.

Funding Sources:

The Transportation Services Division 1999 Capital Programme includes the reconstruction of the pavement, sidewalks and curbs on Humbercrest Boulevard between Dundas Street West and St. John's Road. The incremental cost of incorporating traffic calming elements in the estimated amount of $125,000.00 can be accommodated in the 1999 Capital Programme account for Traffic Calming.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the City Solicitor be authorized to submit road alteration by-laws on Humbercrest Boulevard from Dundas Street West to St. John's Road for traffic calming purposes, described as follows:

"A total of three combination road narrowings and speed humps, on Humbercrest Boulevard from Dundas Street West to St. John's Road, and construction of a tabled intersection, with an all-way stop control at Humbercrest Boulevard and St. John's Road.";

(2)the City Clerk provide the necessary public notice to introduce the above-noted traffic calming measures;

(3)the Director of Transportation Services - District 1 report to York Community Council on any changes to traffic regulations and parking required as a result of the implementation of the Humbercrest Boulevard traffic calming plan; and

(4)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

In conjunction with an application to permit the re-development of the lands on the southwest corner of Humbercrest Boulevard and Dundas Street West for a Loblaws supermarket and concerns expressed by local residents in the area, Council authorized a neighbourhood traffic study to be undertaken. (Clause No. 145 of Report No. 18 of the Land Use Committee, approved as amended by York Council on October 2, 1996.)

The scope of the neighbourhood traffic study included the following:

(i)determine existing traffic volumes and speeds on local roads in the vicinity of the site;

(ii)determine the existing level of traffic infiltration;

(iii)identify traffic calming measures for the neighbourhood;

(iv)monitor traffic volumes, speeds and traffic infiltration on local roads, after store opening and recommend traffic control measures, if warranted; and

(v)implement approved traffic control measures within one year of the store opening.

A contribution of $30,000.00 was made by IPCF Properties Inc. towards the study.

Comments:

As a result of the foregoing Council directive a traffic committee comprising of area residents, representatives of the developer and City Transportation and Economic Services staff was formed. A comprehensive volume and speed study on all of the local streets, within the area bordered by Dundas Street West to the north, Baby Point Road to the south, Gooch Avenue to the west and Jane Street to the east was undertaken.

Upon completion of these studies, staff presented to the traffic committee the results, which concluded speeding was an issue on each of the local streets. Staff were directed to prepare a comprehensive traffic calming plan for the study area. This plan is still subject to further review by the traffic committee and public consultation.

During this process, a new sewer was constructed on Humbercrest Boulevard between Dundas Street West and St. John's Road in 1998, with planned pavement, sidewalk and curb reconstruction work scheduled for this year. This work provides an opportunity to include traffic calming on Humbercrest Boulevard between Dundas Street West and St. John's Road in a cost-effective manner.

To facilitate the introduction of traffic calming on that portion of Humbercrest Boulevard between Dundas Street West and St. John's Road, a fast-track approach to the development of that portion of the plan is necessary. However, as noted further in this report, through the public consultation process this portion of the traffic calming plan can be refined as necessary.

Existing Conditions:

Humbercrest Boulevard traverses in a north/south direction between Dundas Street West and Humberview Road, providing two-way vehicular flow. The street is classified as a collector roadway, with a pavement width of 8.5 metres and a legal speed limit of 40 km/h. Daily traffic volumes are 1,733 vehicles, within that particular portion of the street.

An analysis of the speed data taken over a seven-day period revealed an average speed of 41.7 km/h and an operating speed (the speed at which 85 percent of the motorists travelled at or below) of 49.5 km/h, with 6 percent of these vehicles exceeding 55 km/h.

On-street parking is legally permitted on the east side of the street exclusively. A daytime parking prohibition is in effect between Dundas Street West and the southerly property limits of St. James Catholic School, between the hours 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a three hour maximum duration for all other times.

Traffic Calming Opportunities:

The traffic calming proposal on Humbercrest Boulevard includes the following measures:

(a)three combination speed humps with road narrowings uniformly spaced between Dundas Street West and St. John's Road;

(b)an impressed pedestrian crossing area on Humbercrest Boulevard at the intersection of Dundas Street West; and

(c)construction of a "tabled" intersection (raised 100 mm in height with suitably graded ramps approaching and departing the intersection on all road-legs) at Humbercrest Boulevard and St. John's Road, including the introduction of an all-way stop control.

It should be noted that the proposed combination speed humps and road narrowings will result in a loss of on-street parking spaces. It will be necessary to prohibit parking on either side and through each of the locations where these traffic calming measures will be constructed, to accommodate two-way vehicular traffic flow on Humbercrest Boulevard. As well, speed hump installation may result in a slower response time for emergency vehicles.

Due to the need to co-ordinate the implementation of traffic calming measures on Humbercrest Boulevard from Dundas Street West and St. John's Road with the planned reconstruction this year, there is some urgency to initiate the approval process. (As Community Council knows, once this portion of the plan is approved by Council, a four week statutory advertising period must be completed, and deputation hearing held by Community Council before Council can enact the requisite by-laws to enable the roadway alterations). Ideally, a greater level of prior public scrutiny of the plan through the traffic committee and the Councillors would have been helpful. It is important to note, however, that although there have been preliminary discussions between members of the traffic committee and my staff, public consultation including public meetings can continue concurrently, and there are several opportunities through subsequent supplementary reports to York Community Council or Council for refinements to this portion of the plan, if necessary.

The introduction of these proposed traffic calming measures on Humbercrest Boulevard from Dundas Street West and St. John's Road constitute alterations to the public highway 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.

Conclusions:

The introduction of traffic calming on that portion of Humbercrest Boulevard between Dundas Street West and St. John's Road will reduce overall operating speeds and in turn improve overall public safety for both the students at St. James Catholic School, located at 230 Humbercrest Boulevard and the local residents along the street. The work can be implemented cost-effectively in conjunction with the planned reconstruction scheduled for this year.

Contact Person:

Jacqueline White

Manager, Traffic Operations, District 1

Tel: 397-5021Fax: 392-8504