Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals -
Brentcliffe Road and Vanderhoof Avenue;
Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue; and
Danforth Avenue and Thyra Avenue
(Ward 1, East York)
The Works Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (August 13, 1999) from the Commissioner
of Works and Emergency Services:
Purpose:
To obtain approval for the installation of traffic control signals at the intersections of Brentcliffe Road and Vanderhoof
Avenue, Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue, and Danforth Avenue and Thyra Avenue.
Funding Sources:
In 1999, $1.6 million has been allocated in the Works and Emergency Services Capital Program for new 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, new 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
installing traffic control signals at the intersections of Brentcliffe Road and Vanderhoof Avenue, Laird Drive and
Vanderhoof Avenue, and Danforth Avenue and Thyra Avenue is $225,000.00.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)traffic control signals be approved for future installation at the intersections of Brentcliffe Road and Vanderhoof
Avenue, Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue, and Danforth Avenue and Thyra Avenue;
(2)coincident with the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Brentcliffe Road and Vanderhoof
Avenue, the existing pedestrian crossover be removed and the appropriate by-law be amended accordingly; and
(3)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 local residents and businesses, to address pedestrian and vehicular safety concerns, Transportation
Services staff reviewed the traffic operations at the intersections of Brentcliffe Road and Vanderhoof Avenue, Laird Drive
and Vanderhoof Avenue, and Danforth Avenue and Thyra Avenue. The results of the investigations revealed that traffic
control signals were warranted at these locations.
The primary function of traffic control signals is to mitigate operational problems associated with vehicular right-of-way
concerns and also to improve the safety environment for pedestrians. Transportation Services staff have completed traffic
signal warrant studies at the three intersections noted. The results are summarized in the following table.
| |
Brentcliffe Road
and
Vanderhoof
Avenue |
Laird Drive and
Vanderhoof
Avenue |
Danforth Avenue
and Thyra Avenue |
| Warrant 1-
"Minimum
Vehicular Volume" |
80 percent |
89 percent |
81 percent |
| Warrant 2 - "Delay
to Cross Traffic" |
88 percent |
100 percent |
90 percent |
| Warrant 3 -
"Collision Hazard" |
33 percent |
27 percent |
27 percent |
| Warrants Satisfied? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Either Warrant 1 or Warrant 2 must be satisfied to 100 percent or any two of Warrants 1, 2 and 3 must be satisfied to 80
percent for traffic control signals to be technically warranted.
Additional information is provided in the following discussion, by intersection.
Brentcliffe Road and Vanderhoof Avenue:
Brentcliffe Road and Vanderhoof Avenue are each two-lane roadways and a "Stop" sign controls Vanderhoof traffic. A
pedestrian crossover (PXO) exists on the north leg of Brentcliffe Road. This intersection is approximately 240 metres south
of the traffic control signals on Eglinton Avenue and Brentcliffe Road. The land use is predominantly mixed
industrial/commercial and is undergoing redevelopment.
A review of the Toronto Police Service collision records for the three-year period ending December 31, 1998, revealed a
total of 11 collisions occurred at the intersection of Brentcliffe Road and Vanderhoof Avenue. Of these, five were of the
type considered potentially "preventable" by traffic control signals. None involved a pedestrian.
Based on this review, the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Brentcliffe Road and Vanderhoof
Avenue is technically warranted and traffic control signals should be installed to replace the existing PXO. The estimated
costs to install traffic control signals and remove the existing PXO are $80,000.00.
Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue:
Laird Drive at its intersection with Vanderhoof Avenue is a four-lane roadway. Vanderhoof Avenue is a two-way, two-lane
residential roadway and is "Stop" controlled at Laird Drive. The spacing between this intersection and the traffic control
signals on Laird Drive at Eglinton Avenue East and at McCrae Drive/Wicksteed Avenue is approximately 205 metres to
the north and 175 metres to the south, respectively.
A review of the Toronto Police Service collision records for the three-year period ending December 31, 1998, revealed a
total of 12 collisions occurred at the intersection of Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue. Of these, four were of the type
considered potentially "preventable" by traffic control signals. None involved a pedestrian.
Based on this review, the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue is
justified. The estimated cost for the installation of traffic control signals is $65,000.00.
Danforth Avenue and Thyra Avenue:
Thyra Avenue is located 165 metres west of Victoria Park Avenue and forms a "T"-type intersection at Danforth Avenue.
Thyra Avenue operates one-way southbound. The east vehicular entrance of Shopper's World Plaza is located opposite
Thyra Avenue on the south side of Danforth Avenue. A pedestrian refuge island exists on Danforth Avenue, approximately
30 metres west of Thyra Avenue to assist pedestrians across Danforth Avenue. Approximately 1,250 pedestrians cross
Danforth Avenue using this pedestrian refuge island during the peak eight hours of a typical weekday. A review of the
Toronto Police Service collision records for the three-year period ending December 31, 1998, revealed a total of 12
collisions occurred at the intersection of Danforth Avenue and Thyra Avenue. Of these, four were of the type considered
potentially "preventable" by traffic control signals. None involved a pedestrian.
Despite the good safety records, the high volume of pedestrian crossings in this vicinity increases the potential for
pedestrian and vehicular conflicts. The installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Danforth Avenue and
Thyra Avenue to replace the existing pedestrian refuge island will reduce these conflicts. The estimated costs to install
traffic control signals at this intersection are $80,000.00.
Contact Name:
Vince Suppa, Coordinator
District 1 - East Area
416-397-5436
Insert Map: Location Plan
Brentcliffe Road and Vanderhoof Avenue
Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signal
Insert Map: Location Plan
Laird Drive and Vanderhoof Avenue
Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signal
Insert Map: Location Plan
Danforth Avenue and Thyra Avenue
Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signal
