Installation of "Stop" Sign Control and Reduction of Speed Limit -
Golden Avenue and Silver Avenue. Morrow Avenue and
Silver Avenue (High Park)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that:
(1) the following report (December 14, 1999) from the Director,
Transportation Services, District 1 be adopted; and
(2) one-hour parking, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to
Saturday, be instituted on Golden Avenue, between Dundas
Street West and its terminus.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report
(December 14, 1999) from the Director, Transportation Services,
District 1:
Purpose:
To establish the right-of-way at these intersections, and bring the
speed limit on Golden Avenue, Morrow Avenue and Silver Avenue
into conformity with other local streets in the neighbourhood.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Funds to cover the cost of this work and associated signage in the
estimated amount of $1,400.00 are available under the Transportation
Services Division 2000 Current Estimates.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) a "Stop" sign be installed for westbound traffic on Silver Avenue at its
intersection with Golden Avenue;
(2) a "Stop" sign be installed for eastbound traffic on Silver Avenue at its
intersection with Morrow Avenue;
(3) the speed limit on Golden Avenue, between Dundas Street West and
its terminus, on Morrow Avenue, between Dundas Street West and its
terminus and on Silver Avenue between Golden Avenue and Morrow
Avenue be reduced from 50 km/h to 40 km/h; and
(4) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take
whatever action is necessary to implement the foregoing,
including the introduction in Council of any Bills that are required.
Comments:
At the request of High Park Ward Councillors Chris Korwin-Kuczynski
and David Miller and residents of Golden Avenue, Transportation
Services' staff investigated the feasibility of installing "Stop" sign
control at the intersection of Golden Avenue and Silver Avenue and at
the intersection of Morrow Avenue and Silver Avenue. In addition, we
reviewed the speed and volume on Golden Avenue.
Silver Avenue is a two-way, east-west roadway forming "T" type
intersections with Golden Avenue and Morrow Avenue. Both Golden
Avenue and Morrow Avenue are north-south roadways operating as
two-way streets from Dundas Street West to their terminus. Currently,
there is no "Stop" sign control posted in any direction of travel at either
of these intersections. Under the provisions of the Highway Traffic Act,
when two vehicles enter an uncontrolled intersection at approximately
the same time, the driver on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the
vehicle on the right.
During the busiest eight-hour period of a typical weekday, approximately
190 vehicles were recorded travelling on Golden Avenue (98
northbound, 92 southbound) and approximately 181 vehicles on Morrow
Avenue (100 northbound and 81 southbound). During this same time
period, we recorded 91 westbound vehicles approaching Golden Avenue
and 83 eastbound vehicles approaching Morrow Avenue on Silver
Avenue.
A review of the Toronto Police Service collision records over a
three-year period ending June 30, 1999, disclosed a total of two
collisions reported at the subject intersections. There were no
collisions reported involving a pedestrian or a cyclist.
We evaluated both intersections against the technical criteria governing
the installation of northbound and southbound "Stop" control which
includes such factors as the right-of-way conflicts, vehicular and
pedestrian usage of the intersection, physical geometric configuration,
and adjacent traffic controls. In this regard the subject intersections do
not satisfy the operational elements for northbound and southbound
"Stop" sign control. However, we have concluded that the warrants for
westbound and eastbound "Stop" sign control at the subject
intersections are satisfied. Specifically, the installation of "Stop" signs
for eastbound traffic on Silver Avenue at Morrow Avenue and for
westbound traffic on Silver Avenue at Golden Avenue would clearly
establish right-of-way for vehicular traffic and would enhance
pedestrian safety.
Transportation Services' staff reviewed the speed of vehicles on Golden
Avenue. Currently, Golden Avenue operates with a speed limit of 50
km/h. Daily speed and volume surveys conducted on Golden Avenue
over six consecutive days revealed an average daily volume of 320
vehicles per day between Dundas Street West and its terminus. The
speed survey revealed that speeding was relatively low (1.6 percent of
all traffic). In fact, almost 98 percent of all vehicles travelled at or below
the posted speed limit. However, in order to be consistent with other
local streets in the neighbourhood, the maximum speed limit should be
reduced from 50 km/h to 40 km/h on Golden Avenue, Silver Avenue and
Morrow Avenue.
Although the traffic volume and incidence of speeding is low compared
to most residential streets in the City, Golden Avenue, Morrow Avenue
and Silver Avenue satisfy the former City of Toronto criteria for
introduction of a 40 km/h speed limit. In order to provide a safeguard for
pedestrians and to bring these streets into line with other local streets
in the neighbourhood, the maximum speed limit should be reduced from
50 km/h to 40 km/h.
Contact:
Spiros Stamopoulos
Traffic Investigator, Traffic Operations, District 1 - West
telephone: 392-7771
fax: 392-0816
e-mail: sstampolo@toronto.ca