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Proposed Installation of Traffic Control Signals:
Wilson Avenue and Ridge Road.
The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (January 20, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead for Transportation:
Purpose:
To propose the installation of traffic control signals at the intersection of Wilson Avenue and Ridge Road coincident with the removal of the existing split pedestrian crossover (PXO) located approximately 19 metres west of the intersection.
Funding Sources:
The funds associated with new traffic signal installations are contained in the Transportation Departments's Capital Budget Projections under Project No. C-TR031. The estimated cost of the installation of traffic control signals on Wilson Avenue and Ridge Road is $78,000.00 including the removal of the existing split PXO.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) traffic control signals be approved at the intersection of Wilson Avenue and Ridge Road;
(2) coincident with the traffic control signal installation, the existing split pedestrian crossover be removed;
(3) installation be subject to the approval of the 1998 Capital Works Program and the securing of appropriate financing; and
(4) the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly.
Background:
At the request of an area resident, the Transportation Department investigated the feasibility of replacing the existing split PXO, located on Wilson Avenue approximately 19 metres west of Ridge Road, with traffic control signals. The resident expressed concern that pedestrians have been struck by vehicles while crossing in the pedestrian crossover.
Discussion:
Wilson Avenue in the vicinity of Ridge Road is a five-lane arterial road with a two-way continuous centre left-turn lane. The posted speed limit is 50 kilometres per hour. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has a westbound near-side and an eastbound far-side bus stop at Ridge Road in bus bays. The area is mainly residential with single-family homes fronting onto Wilson Avenue. Pierre Laporte Middle School is located on the north side of Wilson Avenue and an apartment building and small plaza are located on the south side of Wilson Avenue. There is a pedestrian access to Roding Park located on the north side of Wilson Avenue opposite Ridge Road. Adjacent traffic control signals on Wilson Avenue are located at Julian Road approximately 250 metres to the east and Highview Avenue/Lexfield Avenue approximately 220 metres to the west.
There are approximately 319 pedestrians crossing Wilson Avenue at the subject split PXO during an eight-hour period of a typical weekday. We observed numerous turning vehicles in the immediate area creating potential conflicts with pedestrians.
We have evaluated the operational characteristics of this split PXO location according to the guidelines that were developed for the "Audit of Operational and Physical Suitability at Pedestrian Crossovers in Metropolitan Toronto". The results are as follows:
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Standards or Criteria to be met
for Physical Suitability of a PXO |
Met/Not Met |
Comment |
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Vehicle operating speed less than 60 kilometres per hour |
Not met |
85th percentile speed is greater than 60 kilometres per hour |
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Not more than four lanes wide |
Met |
Not applicable at split PXOs |
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Traffic volume less than 35,000 vehicles per day |
Met |
27,600 vehicles per day |
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No driveways or entrances nearby |
Not met |
Two driveways in immediate vicinity on the north side of Wilson Avenue |
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No significant volume of turning movements which interfere with the PXO |
Not met |
High volume of turns in immediate area |
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No visibility problems exist for either pedestrians or vehicles |
Met |
No visibility problems |
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No loading zones (including TTC) in the immediate vicinity |
Not met |
Eastbound and westbound TTC stops |
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Not less than 215 metres to another PXO or traffic control device |
Met |
Traffic control signals are located 250 metres to the east at Julian Road and 220 metres to the west at Highview Avenue/
Lexfield Avenue
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This location does not meet four of the criteria listed above, specifically the operating speed, driveways in immediate area, high volume of turning vehicles and loading zone locations. The Toronto Police Service has been asked to provide speed enforcement on this section of Wilson Avenue.
A review of Toronto Police Service collision records for the three-year period between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 1996, revealed that three collisions have occurred involving pedestrians crossing Wilson Avenue in the vicinity of the split PXO. One collision involved a senior citizen who received minor injuries. The driver of the vehicle was charged in this collision. The second collision involved a cyclist who received minor injuries. The driver of the vehicle was charged in this collision. The third collision resulted in a fatality. A 12-year-old cyclist entered Wilson Avenue immediately west of the split PXO and was struck by a westbound vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was not charged in this collision. Although the Toronto Police Service collision records are unavailable for 1997, we have received unconfirmed reports of another collision involving a pedestrian at the subject PXO.
Wilson Avenue is a major arterial road which used to be under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Toronto. The replacement of the PXO with traffic control signals will not have a significant impact on the effectiveness of this arterial link within the network of arterial roads. Furthermore, the signals will provide benefits to all road users in the immediate area.
The installation of these traffic control signals is subject to the approval of the 1998 Capital Works Program, which is scheduled to be considered by City Council on April 15, 1998. Following approval of a group of traffic signal installations, tender documents will be prepared, and qualified electrical contractors will be asked to submit bids for this work. The results of the tender call will be reported to the Urban Environment and Development Committee at the earliest opportunity after April 15, 1998.
Conclusion:
The existing split PXO on Wilson Avenue at Ridge Road is no longer operating in a satisfactory fashion. Traffic control signals should be installed at Wilson Avenue and Ridge Road to improve the operational safety of this location.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Mr. Bruce Zvaniga, Manager, North and West Traffic Regions, 392-8826.
(A copy of the location plan, which was appended to the foregoing report, has been forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the February 9, 1998, meeting of the Urban Environment and Development Committee, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
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