STAFF REPORT
February 17, 200
To: Works Committee
From: Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
Subject:Installation of Traffic Control Signals -
Queen Street East at Sumach Street
(Toronto - Don River)
Purpose:
To obtain approval for the installation of traffic control signals coincident with the removal of the existing pedetrian
crossover (PXO) at the intersection of Queen Street East at Sumach Street.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The funds associated with the installation of traffic control signals are contained in the Works and Emergency Services
Capital Works Budget under Project No. C-TR031. In 2000, $1.6 million has been allocated for new traffic control signal
installations. The estimated cost of installing traffic control signals at the intersection of Queen Street East and Sumach
Street is $82,000.00.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)traffic control signals be installed at the intersection of Queen Street East and Sumach Street coincident with the
removal of the existing pedestrian crossover; and
(2)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:
Queen Street East is a four-lane arterial roadway with a 24-hour traffic volume of 15,750. The speed limit on Queen Street
East is 40 km/h. Streetcars operate on Queen Street East and nearside stops are provided at the intersection of Sumach
Street. The land use in this area is predominantly commercial.
Sumach Street is a one-way roadway and runs in a southerly direction controlled by "Stop" signs at Queen Street East. A
pedestrian crossover is located on the west leg of this intersection. Adjacent traffic signals are located on Queen Street East
at River Street, approximately 205 metres to the east, and a PXO is located at Sackville Street, approximately 215 metres to
the west.
Approximately 670 pedestrians were observed crossing Queen Street East within the pedestrian crossover during the
busiest eight-hour period of a typical weekday. The technical warrants for the installation of traffic control signals are
satisfied at this intersection to the following extent:
Warrant 1 - Minimum Vehicular Volume 49 percent
Warrant 2 - Delay to Cross Traffic 100 percent
Warrant 3 - Collision Hazard 7 percent
Either Warrant 1 or Warrant 2 must be 100 percent satisfied or any two of the three warrants must be 80 percent satisfied
before the installation of traffic control signals is numerically warranted. This intersection satisfies the required warrants
for the installation of traffic control signals.
A review of the Toronto Police Service collision records for the three-year period ending December 31, 1998, disclosed
that 6 collisions had occurred at the intersection of Queen Street East and Sumach Street. Further analysis revealed that one
of these collisions was potentially preventable by the installation of traffic control signals. No collisions involved a
pedestrian.
The installation of traffic control signals at this intersection will not have a significant negative impact on the operation of
Queen Street East. However, the installation of traffic control signals will necessitate the removal of four parking spaces on
Queen Street East, two to the east (on the south side of Queen Street East) and two to the west of Sumach Street (on the
north side of Queen Street East).
Further, we have discussed this signal installation with staff of TTC and there are no objections from a transit operations
perspective. The signal operation at this intersection will be equipped with transit priority technology to enhance Queen
Street East streetcar operations.
Councillors Jack Layton and Pam McConnell were advised and they support the proposed installation of traffic control
signals, coincident with the removal of the existing pedestrian crossover.
Conclusions:
To improve the operational safety for pedestrians and motorists, it would be prudent to replace the existing PXO with
traffic control signals.
Contact:
Vince Suppa, Transportation Planner
416-392-1559
416-392-0816 (FAX)
vsuppa@toronto.ca (E-mail)
David C. Kaufman
General Manager, Transportation Services
Barry H. Gutteridge
Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
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