March 23, 2000
To: Etobicoke Community Council
From: John W. Thomas, P. Eng., MBA
Director, Transportation Services-District 2
Works and Emergency Services
Subject: Traffic Concerns - Lanor Avenue and Beta Street
Lakeshore-Queensway
Purpose:
To propose the installation of all-way stop controls at the intersection of Lanor Avenue and Beta Street.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The funds associated with the introduction of the appropriate regulatory signage are contained in the Transportation
Services Division Operating Budget.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) all-way stop controls be erected at the intersection of Lanor Avenue and Beta Street;
(2) the Toronto Police Service be requested to enforce the 40 km/h speed limit on Lanor Avenue in the area of Beta Street;
and
(3) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background:
The District Transportation Services Division received e-mail (Attachment No. 1) from Councillor Blake Kinahan's office
requesting a traffic investigation of the intersection of Lanor Avenue and Beta Street. This request was made as a result of
an area resident's (Mr. Tony Patasius) inquiry to have all-way stop controls erected at this intersection. A map of the area is
Attachment No. 2.
Comments:
To assess traffic conditions on Lanor Avenue, the following information was obtained:
(1) manual approach counts conducted at the intersection of Lanor Avenue and Beta Street;
(2) radar speed studies conducted on Lanor Avenue, west of Beta Street;
(3) a review of the three year collision history at the intersection of Lanor Avenue and Beta Street; and
(4) an intersection description.
The following warrants need to be met in order to justify the installation of all-way stop controls on roads and streets
considered to be local or secondary collector streets:
a) total vehicle volume on all intersection approaches must exceed 350 for the highest hour recorded; and
b) a volume split should not exceed 65/35 for a four-way control.
(1) Manual Approach Counts:
The results of the manual approach counts conducted at the intersection of Lanor Avenue and Beta Street on Thursday,
September 23, 1999 are summarized in the following table.
| TIME |
E/B |
W/B |
S/B |
N/B |
E/B+ W/B
TOTAL |
TOTAL
ENTERING
INTERSECTION |
BALANCEOF FLOW
E-W/N-S |
| 7-8 AM |
41 |
18 |
39 |
52 |
59 |
150 |
39/61 |
| 8-9 AM |
45 |
59 |
52 |
58 |
104 |
214 |
49/51 |
| 3-4 PM |
44 |
26 |
52 |
27 |
70 |
149 |
47/53 |
| 4-5 PM |
23 |
29 |
91 |
46 |
52 |
189 |
28/72 |
| OVERALL |
153 |
132 |
234 |
183 |
285 |
702 |
41/59 |
| VEH/H |
38 |
33 |
59 |
46 |
71 |
176 |
N/A |
Additional Observations: An average of 13 (thirteen) pedestrians per hour crossed the through street (Lanor Avenue), an average of 43 (forty-three)
pedestrians per hour crossed the stop street (Beta Street).
Based on the all-way stop warrant criteria currently used by District 2, the peak hour (8:00 a.m. - 9 a.m.) volume of 214
vehicles does not meet the required 350 vehicles.
In reviewing the traffic volumes and observing the operation of the intersection, the following was noted:
a) During the peak periods, the vehicular volumes on Beta Avenue (the stop street) were higher than on Lanor Avenue.
b) During non-peak period times, the vehicular volumes were relatively balanced on both streets with Beta Avenue having
the slightly higher volume.
c) Due to the presence of two schools, there were a number of pedestrians crossing at the intersection. An average of 43
pedestrians per hour crossed the stop street (Beta Avenue) and an average of thirteen per hour crossed the through street
(Lanor Avenue).
During the peak periods, the vehicular volumes on Beta Avenue (the stop street) were higher that on Lanor Avenue.
(2) Radar Speed Studies:
Radar speed studies conducted on Lanor Avenue, west of Beta Street, coincident with the all-way stop study revealed an
85th percentile speed of 50.2 km/h. Given the legal speed limit on Lanor Avenue is 40 km/h, and that there are two schools
in close proximity, the Toronto Police Service should be requested to conduct periodic enforcement of the 40 km/h speed
limit.
(3) Collision History:
A review of the collision history for the period January 1, 1997 - December 31, 1999 reveals that three collisions have
occurred at the intersection of Lanor Avenue and Beta Street. Two of the collisions were angle type and both involved a
northbound vehicle failing to either stop or yield the right of way.
(4) Intersection Description:
Parking Restrictions: Three Hours Maximum
Lane Configuration: One lane in each direction
Sidewalks: Both sides of Lanor Avenue and Beta Street
Land Use: R3 Residential (Third Density)
Schools in the Immediate Area: Lanor Junior - Middle School, 450 Lanor Avenue
Father John Redmond Secondary School, 300 Valermo Dr.
Based on the vehicular volume, the stop signs should be reversed to make Lanor Avenue the stop street and Beta Avenue
the through street. However, this is not being recommended because of the significant number of pedestrians travelling
east-west on Lanor Avenue.
The current warrants used in District 2 (former City of Etobicoke warrants) are based strictly on vehicular volumes. Based
on the vehicular volumes, the installation of an all-way stop at this intersection would not be warranted.
However, staff have critically reviewed the data and have made detailed observations at the intersection and surrounding
area. Based on all of the foregoing and using sound traffic management experience, staff are recommending the installation
of an all-way stop at this intersection. Briefly, the vehicular volumes, considered alone, would warrant the reversal of the
stop signs, however, considering that the main pedestrian movement is east-west with a lesser number crossing
north-south, it is felt that reversing the stop signs is not recommended. In fact, taking pedestrican movement combined
with the vehicular movement, it is felt that the appropriate form of control at this intersection is an all-way stop.
The collisions experienced over the last three years reveals that the most notable problem was northbound vehicles failing
to stop. Even though the number of collisions does not warrant an all-way stop, it is our opinion that an all-way stop would
improve the collision experience at this intersection.
Conclusions:
The traffic at the intersection of Lanor Avenue and Beta Street is currently managed by a stop control on Beta Street.
Analysis of the data has revealed that the traffic volumes at the intersection do not meet the minimum vehicular volume
warrant. However, based on a detailed review of vehicular and pedstrian volumes at the intersection and surrounding area,
and the application of sound traffic engineering judgement it is recommended, that an all-way stop is the appropriate form
of control a this intersection. All-way stop controls would improve the safe management of traffic and pedestrians at the
intersection.
The results of the radar speed studies indicate that vehicular speeds on Lanor Avenue are in excess of the 40 km/h speed
limit. On the basis of this finding Toronto Police Service will be requested to periodically enforce the 40 km/h speed limit.
Contact:
Mark Hargot, Supervisor, Traffic Engineering - District 2
(416) 394-8453; Fax 394-8942
e-mail: mahargot@toronto.ca
John W. Thomas, P. Eng., MBA
Director, Transportation Services-District 2
MH/c
G:\WebPublish\2000\AGENDAS\COMMITTE\ET\et000323\it008.doc
List of Attachments:
Attachment Nos. 1, 2.
