School Safety Zone: Denfield Street

The Etobicoke Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (May 6,  1998) from the Commissioner of Works, Etobicoke District:

Purpose:

To introduce by-law amendments to improve traffic conditions within the school zone on Denfield Street in front of St. Marcellus Catholic School.

Funding Sources:

The funds associated with the installation of the appropriate regulatory signage are contained in the Works Department=s Operating Budget.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the school bus loading zone on the east side of Denfield Street currently servicing St. Marcellus Catholic School, be extended 47 metres to accommodate additional school buses;

(2)the ANo Stopping, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday@ prohibition on the east side of Denfield Street between Widdicombe Hill Boulevard and a point 138.0 metres north thereof be changed to a ANo Parking, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday@ prohibition;

(3)the ANo Parking, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday@ prohibition on the west side of Denfield Street be changed to a ANo Stopping, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday@; and

(4)the appropriate by-laws (Attachments Nos. 1, 2, and 3) be amended accordingly.

Background:

Concerns have been raised by the Principal and the Parents Association of St. Marcellus Catholic School, 15 Denfield Street, regarding the traffic congestion and parking conditions occurring on Denfield Street during the commencement and dismissal of classes each day. A map of the area is Attachment No. 4.

Discussion:

Denfield Street is a two-lane roadway. St. Marcellus Catholic School is located on the east side of the street and Central Etobicoke High School is located on the west side of the street. The parking and stopping regulations on Denfield Street are as follows:

(a) ANo Stopping, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday@ prohibition on the east side of Denfield Street between Widdicombe Hill Boulevard and Clement Road;

(b)ANo Stopping, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday@ prohibition on the west side of Denfield Street between Widdicombe Hill Boulevard and a point 190.5 metres north thereof; and

(c)ANo Parking, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday@ prohibition on the west side of Denfield Street between a point 190.5 metres north of Widdicombe Hill Boulevard and Clement Road.

It has been recognized that a safe area for parents to stop, drop off and pick up their children from school is necessary. Therefore, the ANo Stopping, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday@ prohibition on the east side of Denfield Street from Widdicombe Hill Boulevard to a point 138.0 metres north thereof will be changed to a ANo Parking, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday@ prohibition. This change will allow for short-term parental/guardian stopping in a designated Kiss and Ride Zone on the east side of Denfield Street in front of St. Marcellus Catholic School.

By providing a designated area for parents to stop and drop off and pick up their children and by eliminating the use of one side of the street with the proposed by-law amendments, the need for children to cross the street is eliminated. This will measurably reduce vehicular/pedestrian conflicts, and improve pedestrian safety in this school zone.

There is a designated School Bus Loading Zone located on the east side of Denfield Street, 116.0 metres south of Clement Road extending to a point 30.5 metres south thereof. This bus loading can only accommodate two buses, however, six buses currently service St. Marcellus Catholic School.

Section 175 of the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, requires that every school bus operator who is about to stop on a highway for the purposes of receiving or discharging children shall activate, and while stopped, continue to activate the vehicle=s overhead red signal lights and stop arm until all passengers having to cross the highway have completed the crossing. Section 175 also provides that, when this safety equipment is activated, all motorists must stop their vehicle before reaching the bus and shall not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead red signal lights have stopped flashing.

Ontario Regulation 615 of the Highway Traffic Act states that a School Bus Loading Zone may be designated to one side of the roadway, on the side which the school is located. The purpose of a school bus loading zone is to provide a reserved area where school buses can receive or discharge passengers without activating the overhead flashing lights. These are used primarily in urban areas, only at locations where children are not required to cross the roadway to access the bus.

A review of this location indicated that during peak periods, the existing bus loading zone was not able to accommodate the large volume of school buses that service St. Marcellus Catholic School. Consequently, school buses not within the zone, are required by law to operate the vehicle=s flashing lights and stop arm, thereby making it mandatory for all vehicles to stop. This action, unfortunately, offsets any benefits which were derived from the existing zone.

The Toronto Catholic School Board has confirmed that students attending St. Marcellus Catholic School are not required to cross Denfield Street to board or alight the bus. As a result, the activation of the safety equipment is not necessary to ensure pedestrian safety at this location.

Conclusion:

Based on the staff examination of this matter and the favourable support of St. Marcellus Catholic School Parents Association, Council=s endorsement of the recommendations contained herein would be appropriate.

Contact Name:

Karen Kirk, CET, Parking Co-Ordinator, Transportation and Engineering Planning.

(416) 394-8419; Fax 394-8942.

(Copies of Attachment Nos. 1-4, referred to in the foregoing report were forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the Etobicoke Community Council meeting of May 6, 1998,  and copies thereof are on file in the office of the City Clerk.)