STAFF REPORT
February 9, 2000
To: Works Committee
From: Barry H. Gutteridge, Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
Subject: Proposed Pedestrian Refuge Island on Morningside Avenue between Lawrence Avenue East and Kingston Road.
Scarborough Highland Creek
Purpose: To construct a pedestrian refuge island on Morningside Avenue midway between Lawrence Avenue East and
Kingston Road.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The funds associated with the installation of pedestrian refuge islands are contained in the Works and Emergency Services
Department's 2000 Capital Program. The estimated cost to install this pedestrian refuge island is $15,000.00.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)construction of a pedestrian refuge island on Morningside Avenue approximately 85 metres south of Kingston Road
proceed in the year 2000; and
(2)authority be granted to commence advertising for the highway alteration, and that deputations with respect thereto be
made to the Scarborough Community Council.
Background:
In response to a public request, staff investigated the feasibility of installing a pedestrian crossing device on Morningside
Avenue between Lawrence Avenue East and Kingston Road. There is a crossing demand in this mid-block location
between the Morningside Mall on the east and commercial establishments on the west including a "No Frills" store. Also a
TTC bus stop is located in this mid-block area on the east side of Morningside Avenue. The distance between the traffic
control signals at Kingston Road and at Lawrence Avenue East is approximately 260 metres.
Morningside Avenue in this area is four lanes wide with additional left-turn lanes to service commercial driveways on both
sides of the road. The speed limit on this minor arterial road is 60 Km/h.
Pedestrian crossing studies were conducted and, in an eight-hour period on a normal weekday, 801 pedestrians crossed
Morningside Avenue in this mid-block location. The types of pedestrians are listed below:
Pedestrians crossing Morningside Avenue, between Lawrence Avenue East and Kingston Road, in an eight-hour period.
Assisted Children16
Unassisted Children 8
Youths and Adults727
Senior Citizens40
Physically Disabled10
Total801
In addition, 169 of these pedestrians were delayed for more than 10 seconds. Three collisions involving pedestrians have
occurred in this area during the five-year period from 1993 to 1997.
Based upon these survey results, a pedestrian crossover is numerically warranted. However, this section of Morningside
Avenue is not a suitable location for a pedestrian crossover because the road is wider than four lanes and there are
numerous vehicular turning movements which distract drivers in this area. Most importantly the distance between the two
existing traffic control signals at Kingston Road and at Lawrence Avenue East (approximately 260m) is too short to allow
for the placement of either a pedestrian crossover or another traffic control signal in between. The recommended safe
distance between these types of traffic control devices is approximately 215 metres, which allows motorists to recognize
traffic devices in a distracting environment and react in an appropriate way. If traffic control signals and/or pedestrian
crossovers are too close, motorists can be distracted by the device which is downstream and not react properly to the device
which is closer to them. This places pedestrians at risk.
In order to provide a more comfortable crossing environment for pedestrians in this area, staff recommend the installation
of a pedestrian refuge island on Morningside Avenue approximately 85 metres south of Kingston Road. In this location it
would not interfere with vehicles turning into or out of the plaza driveways on both sides of the street.
A walkway connects the Morningside Mall parking lot to the east side of Morningside Avenue, and a TTC bus stop is
located close by on the same side of the road . To encourage maximum use of the refuge island, these features would be
relocated approximately 15 metres to the north.
Representatives of the Morningside Mall and TTC were advised of these proposals and concur with our recommendations.
Funds for the installation of a pedestrian refuge island and relocation of the walkway in the boulevard in front of the
Morningside Mall are available in this year's Capital Program. The estimated cost of all this work is $15,000.00.
Both ward councillors support the recommendations contained in this report.
Conclusions:
In order to improve the pedestrian crossing environment on Morningside Avenue between Lawrence Avenue East and
Kingston Road, a pedestrian refuge island should be constructed in the centre of the road approximately 85 metres south of
Kingston Road.
Contact:
Peter K. Hillier
Manager, Traffic Operations, District 4
Tel: 396-7148
Fax: 396-5641
David C. Kaufman
General Manager, Transportation Services
Barry H. Gutteridge
Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
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