Proposed Pedestrian Refuge Island

(Scarborough Malvern)

The Works Committee recommends:

(1) the adoption of the following report (December 8, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services; and

(2) that authority be granted to commence advertising for the highway alteration, and that deputations with respect thereto be made to the Scarborough Community Council:

Purpose:

To construct a pedestrian refuge island on Sheppard Avenue East, in the area of addresses 4725/4727, between McCowan Road and Markham Road.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The funds associated with installation of a pedestrian refuge island are contained in the Works and Emergency Services Department's 2000 Capital Budget estimates. The estimated cost to install this pedestrian refuge island is $27,000.00.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that construction of a pedestrian refuge island on Sheppard Avenue East approximately 34 metres east of the driveway to 4725/4727 Sheppard Avenue East proceed in the year 2000.

Background:

This correspondence is further to a verbal request from Councillor Cho, and a petition from residents of the condominiums at 4725/4727 Sheppard Avenue East, requesting pedestrian crossing protection on Sheppard Avenue East in the vicinity of their homes and the adjacent Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus stops. As a result of this request, Transportation Services staff examined the feasibility of installing a pedestrian crossover or a pedestrian refuge island in the vicinity of 4725/4727 Sheppard Avenue. Pedestrians have requested crossing protection in this area because of the width of Sheppard Avenue and the operating speeds of vehicular traffic, not in response to a collision history.

Discussion:

The two condominiums at 4725/4727 Sheppard Avenue East are high density residential units that have one driveway access on the south side of Sheppard Avenue. Two industrial businesses are located on the north side of the street, opposite the condominium property: KOCH Engineering Company Ltd., located to the west of the condominium driveway, and WR Key Limited, located to the east of the condominium driveway. Both businesses have objected to the installation of the refuge island on the street in front of their businesses because of concerns regarding the island impeding truck access to their property.

Sheppard Avenue in this area is a five-lane roadway with a centre, two-way left-turn lane, and a speed limit of 60 km/h. The justification for the installation of a pedestrian crossover (PXO) is based on a technical warrant established by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). The numerical warrant is based on data compiled from an eight-hour traffic study. The study hours used in the warrant calculations are 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The results of the numerical warrant review are shown below:

To warrant the installation of a PXO, compliance levels of 100 percent are required in both of the above categories.

The Pedestrian Crossover Warrant provides an adjustment factor for senior citizens, unassisted children and physically disabled pedestrians. The actual recorded pedestrian volume was 161. This pedestrian volume consisted of the following:

Of these 161 pedestrians, 133 (83 percent) were generated by the TTC bus stops.

In addition to the non-compliance with the numerical warrant, this area of Sheppard Avenue is not suitable for a PXO because it is wider than four lanes wide, operating speeds generally exceed 60 km/h, there are turning movements in the immediate area, and bus stops are in close proximity.

While the pedestrian crossing demand does not satisfy the PXO warrant, it is sufficient to justify the installation of a pedestrian refuge island. Staff are of the opinion that it is feasible to accommodate the island in front of the condominiums, either in front of KOCH Engineering Co. Ltd. or WR Key Ltd. However, in either location a portion of the centre two-way left-turn lane will be occupied, which will affect the way it operates in the immediate vicinity of the island. Furthermore both businesses have two driveways that permit full movements, and at KOCH Engineering Co. Ltd. these driveways are connected by an internal parking lot.

Residents of the condominiums have advised Councillor Cho that they prefer the island east of their driveway, close to existing TTC bus stops. Minor relocation of the westbound bus stop would be required and TTC staff have no objections.

By placing the refuge island to the east of the condominium driveway, left-turn lanes can be provided which exceed the City of Toronto minimum standards and which will also allow for tractor trailer truck movements into and out of the driveways. While staff are aware that access to the properties will be impacted, this impact will be minimal, and the benefits of the refuge island outweigh these dis-benefits.

Conclusions:

As a result of our investigations, and discussions with the area property owners and condominium management, staff are recommending that the pedestrian refuge island be installed within the existing centre two-way left-turn lane approximately 34 metres east of the driveway to 4725/4727 Sheppard Avenue East to improve the pedestrian crossing environment on this wide and busy section of Sheppard Avenue East.

Contact:

Bruce D. Clayton

Supervisor, Traffic Engineering, Works and Emergency Services

Tel: 396-7844; Fax: 396-5681

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

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Proposed Pedestrian Island

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