STAFF REPORT

January 26, 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 and Parking Concerns on Burrows Hall Boulevard at Burrows Hall Junior Public School

Scarborough Malvern

Purpose:

To report the results of parking and traffic studies on Burrows Hall Boulevard in the area of Burrows Hall Junior Public School.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The $800.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of parking regulation signs is available in the Transportation Services 2000 budget estimates, Cost Centre No. TP0226.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the parking/stopping regulations identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;

(2) the parking/stopping regulations identified in Appendix 2 of this report be adopted; and

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

Background:

Transportation Services investigated a number of different traffic and parking concerns on Burrows Hall Boulevard in the vicinity of Burrows Hall Junior Public School, as a result of a request from staff of the Toronto District School Board. Transportation Services also received a petition from the residents living immediately west of the school to prohibit parking between Dailing Gate and the west limit of the school property.

Comments:

Burrows Hall Junior Public School is located on the south side of Burrows Hall Boulevard, north of Milner Avenue and east of Progress Avenue. Appropriate School Area signs are posted in advance of the school and a Pedestrian Crossover is located on Burrows Hall Boulevard at Purvis Crescent (west intersection), with a School Crossing to the west of the school. An all-way stop control exists at the intersection of Burrows Hall Boulevard and Dailing Gate. The speed limit on Burrows Hall Boulevard is 40 kilometres per hour.

Stopping is currently prohibited along the frontage of the school between 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Stopping is prohibited at all times 9 metres either side of the Pedestrian Crossover and School Crossing. A School Bus Loading Zone exists along a portion of the school frontage.

Pedestrian Crossing Observations:

Transportation Services staff recorded the volume and location of pedestrian crossings on Burrows Hall Boulevard near Burrows Hall Junior P.S. These observations revealed a total of 282 pedestrians crossed Burrows Hall Boulevard either destined directly to or from Burrows Hall Junior Public School during the 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. study periods. Unfortunately, only 180 (64%) pedestrians crossed at the controlled/signed locations of the Pedestrian Crossover or the School Crossing, while the remainder crossed at random/mid-block locations. We would ideally like to see 100% of pedestrian crossings taking place at the controlled locations. Motorists are more likely to expect pedestrians at controlled locations and may proceed with greater care at these locations. Transportation Services staff have provided school personnel with information that will help to clarify the responsibilities of pedestrians and motorists alike and hopefully increase the usage of the existing pedestrian crossing devices.

Vehicle Observations:

Along with the pedestrian study, an evaluation of vehicular movements at this school was conducted. The vast majority of motorists generated by the school are using the school parking lot. By utilizing the lot, passengers attended to by private vehicles are removed from the activity of Burrows Hall Boulevard. Very few vehicles are currently receiving and discharging passengers on the road. During our study, 3 motorists stopped illegally along the school side of the street with 11 on the opposite side of the road.

Collision History:

In addition to the studies outlined above, we conducted a three-year collision review for the years in which we have the most current data (from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1998). One collision has been reported during this time period in the school area. This single motor vehicle collision occurred during the late evening hours on a Saturday in December 1997. This collision took place during inclement weather near the intersection of Burrows Hall Boulevard and Purvis Crescent. The motorist lost control of his vehicle on icy roads and struck a curb. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this collision.

Modifications to Parking Regulations:

Based on the results of our investigations, we are recommending changes at Burrows Hall Junior Public School to accommodate "school side parking/opposite side no stopping." The specifics are as follows:

(1) Installing "30 Minute Parking, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" signs along the school/south side of Burrows Hall Boulevard. This parking ristriction would allow children direct access to the school grounds from waiting vehicles. With vehicles permitted to temporarily park next to the school, passengers could avoid passing in front of through traffic. This permissive parking regulation would replace the existing "No Stopping, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" regulation posted along the front of the school property. If this change is approved, there will be sufficient space along the school curb for approximately nine (9) private vehicles to park temporarily.

(2) Reducing the current dimensions of the school bus loading zone from 53 metres to 13 metres. This reduction in the school bus loading zone is intended to maximize the amount of school side parking while still retaining a portion of this curb for special bus service. Our studies have revealed that only one bus uses this zone at a time. Thirteen metres is adequate to service this vehicle.

(3) Installing "No Stopping, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" signs along the north/opposite side of Burrows Hall Boulevard. This prohibition is intended to accommodate two-way traffic flow while discouraging vehicle passengers from being dropped-off/picked-up on the opposite side and consequently crossings in front of through traffic at random mid-block points. The existing stopping prohibitions posted on either side of the school crossing and pedestrian crossover will remain.

(4) Installing a "No Parking Anytime" prohibition along the south side of Burrows Hall Boulevard between numbers 129 and 137. Currently, there are only corner parking prohibitions by the intersection of Burrows Hall Boulevard and Dailing Gate. The residents' petition revealed 100% support for a parking prohibition in this area. By installing these "No Parking Anytime" signs within this area, these residents should be provided with improved access to their homes.

Conclusions:

The modifications to the parking/stopping regulations on Burrows Hall Boulevard, as recommended within this report, will improve the safety of pedestrians and the management of traffic in front of Burrows Hall Junior Public School. The principal of Burrows Hall Junior Public School has been advised of our report and concurs with the recommendations.

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

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List of Attachments:

1. Appendix 1, 2

2. Plan (Burrows Hall Boulevard - Existing/Proposed Conditions)

Appendix 1

ANo Stopping@

Prohibition to be Rescinded

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4

Highway Side From To Times or Days

Burrows Hall South Purvis Crescent 156 metres west of 7:00 a.m. to

Boulevard (West Intersection) Purvis Crescent 6:00 p.m.

(West Intersection) Monday to

Friday

Appendix 2

"No Parking"

Prohibition to be Enacted

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4

Highway Side From To Times or Days

Burrows Hall South Dailing 67 metres east of Anytime

Boulevard Gate Dailing Gate

"No Stopping"

Prohibition to be Enacted

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4

Highway Side From To Times or Days

Burrows Hall North Dailing Purvis Crescent 8:00 a.m. to

Boulevard Gate (West Intersection) 4:00 p.m.

Monday to

Friday

AParking for Restricted Periods@

Restriction to be Enacted

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5

Maximum

Period

Highway Side From To Times or Days Permitted

Burrows Hall South 90 metres east Purvis 8:00 a.m. to 30 minutes

Boulevard of Dailing Crescent 4:00 p.m.

Gate (West Monday to

Intersection) Friday