STAFF REPORT

January 28, 2000

To: Chairman and Members of the Scarborough Community Council

From: Gary H. Welsh, Director, Transportation Services, Works and Emergency

Services, District 4

Subject: Traffic Studies in the Community South of St. Clair Avenue and East of Pharmacy Avenue

Scarborough Bluffs

Purpose:

To report the results of speed studies conducted on Nancy Avenue, Presley Avenue and Vernadale Crescent and to comment on the need for turn restrictions on streets entering Herron Avenue.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The $1,000.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of speed limit signs is available in the Transportation Services 2000 budget estimates, Cost Centre No. TP0226.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the 40 kilometre per hour speed limit identified in Appendix 1 of this report be adopted;

(2) the turn prohibitions identified in Appendix 2 of this report be rescinded: and

(3) the appropriate by-laws be amended accordingly.

Background:

As a result of a request from Councillor Altobello, on behalf of a resident of Vernadale Crescent, Transportation Services investigated speeding on Vernadale Crescent. This study was also expanded to include the adjacent streets, Nancy Avenue and Presley Avenue. Transportation Services staff also examined traffic volumes on Herron Avenue to determine if the new residential development on the southeast corner of St. Clair Avenue and Herron Avenue has increased traffic volumes in the community and whether the previously approved turn prohibitions are necessary for traffic entering Herron Avenue from this community.

Left-turn prohibitions were installed on Georgina Gate, Lioba Drive, Moreau Trail and Vianney Avenue entering Herron Avenue. These turns were prohibitied between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. The signs were installed for four days, October 28, 1999 to November 1, 1999, but were subsequently removed to first determine the impact of this new development on traffic in the community.

Comments:

Nancy Avenue, Presley Avenue and Vernadale Crescent and Herron Avenue are local roads located in the community east of Pharmacy Avenue, south of St. Clair Avenue. The speed limit is currently 50 kilometres per hour on these four roads. Regent Heights Public School abuts Nancy Avenue, Presley Avenue and Vernadale Crescent.

Speed Studies:

Twenty-four hour speed studies were conducted on Tuesday, November 16, 1999 on Nancy Avenue, Presley Avenue and Vernadale Crescent. Study results are as follows:

Our speed study results reveal that all three streets are characteristic of many other local roads, where a few motorists travel at excessive speeds. Although incidents of excessive speeding are occurring on this road, the majority of motorists are travelling below the 50 kilometre per hour speed limit.

Application of these study results to our 40 Kilometre Per Hour Speed Limit Warrant also revealed that a reduced speed limit is not technically warranted on these streets. This is primarily due to the low volume of traffic. The warrant requires that the 24-hour vehicle volume exceed 1,000.

Despite the warrants not being fully achieved, we do feel it is important to remind motorists to reduce their speed in the vicinity of Regent Heights Public School. Because the intention is to provide the 40 kilometre per hour speed limit on streets in proximity to the school property, we are not recommending that the speed limit reduction apply to all of Presley Avenue, only north of Florens Avenue.

Traffic Volumes on Herron Avenue:

The results of our studies on Herron Avenue reveal a decrease in traffic volumes since the new residential development has been constructed, from 727 vehicles recorded in October 1996 to 655 vehicles recorded in November 1999. It is possible that the new development has not only had the positive impact on motorists' speeds in this community, which have decreased significantly since the new residential development has been constructed, but may have also deterred some of the motorists who would short-cut through this community. The traffic volumes on Herron Avenue are well within the guidelines for a local road of less than 2500 vehicles per day.

These results reveal that the concerns of residents of an increase in traffic volumes through the community, with the completion of the new residential development, have not materialized.

Collision History:

A review of the collision history for the period from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1998 reveals no collisions reported on Nancy Avenue, Presley Avenue or Vernadale Crescent over this time period. On Herron Avenue one collision was reported in this time period involving a motorist striking a parked vehicle.

Conclusions:

In summary, although the 40 kilometre per hour speed limit criteria reveals that a reduced speed limit is not warranted on Nancy Avenue, Presley Avenue or Vernadale Crescent, to remind motorists to reduce their speeds in the vicinity of the public school, it is appropriate to reduce the speed limit in this immediate area on sections of these three streets.

We are also recommending that the by-law prohibiting left turns from Georgina Gate, Lioba Drive, Vianney Avenue and Moreau Trail be rescinded as traffic volumes have not increased on Herron Avenue as a result of the construction of new homes in the community. We will continue to monitor this area in the future.

Contact:

Bruce D. Clayton

Supervisor, Traffic Engineering, Works and Emergency Services

Tel: 396-7844

Fax: 396-5681

E-Mail: clayton@city.scarborough.on.ca

Gary H. Welsh

Director

Transportation Services

Works and Emergency Services

District 4

BDC:ca/ef

c:\work\reports\scc\st.clair pharmacy.doc

D99-254

List of Attachments:

1. Appendix 1, 2

2. Plan (Traffic Concerns South of St.Clair Avenue and East of Pharmacy Avenue)

Appendix 1

"40 Kilometre Per Hour Speed Limit"

Regulation to be Enacted

Column 1 Column 2

Highway From To

Nancy Pharmacy Herron

Avenue Avenue Avenue

Presley St. Clair Florens

Avenue Avenue Avenue

Vernadale St. Clair Presley

Crescent Avenue Avenue

Appendix 2

"Prohibited Turns"

Prohibition to be Rescinded

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4

Intersection or Turns Times

Portion of Highway Direction Prohibited or Days

Georgina Gate Westbound Left 7:00 a.m. to

at Herron Avenue 9:00 a.m.

Monday to

Friday

Lioba Drive Westbound Left 7:00 a.m. to

at Herron Avenue 9:00 a.m.

Monday to

Friday

Moreau Trail Westbound Left 7:00 a.m. to

at Herron Avenue 9:00 a.m.

Monday to

Friday

Vianney Avenue Westbound Left 7:00 a.m. to

at Herron Avenue 9:00 a.m.

Monday to

Friday