Traffic Management Plan - Glenbrook Avenue -

North York Spadina

 The North York Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (May 15, 1998) from the Commissioner of Transportation, North York Civic Centre:

 Purpose:

 This report addresses the results of the test traffic calming measures on Glenbrook Avenue, approved by North York Council on May 14, 1997, with respect to their effectiveness in improving traffic safety, in accordance with the Traffic Calming Policy.

 Source of funds:

 All costs associated with the action resulting from the approval of this report are included within the 1998 operating budget.

 Recommendations:

 1.that the traffic management plan, previously approved by North York Council for a test period, be removed; and

 2.that staff of the Works and Emergency Services Department and the Toronto Police Service monitor traffic conditions on Glenbrook Avenue and take any appropriate remedial action to address traffic safety.

 Council Reference/Background/History:

 North York Council at its meeting of May 14, 1997 by Resolution No. 97-11 adopted Clause 2 of Transportation Committee Report No. 11 dated April 29, 1997. This report recommended a six month test of the traffic management plan proposed for Glenbrook Avenue by the Traffic Work Group and supported by staff. In accordance with the Traffic Calming Policy, staff were also directed to report back to Council regarding the effectiveness of the test in improving traffic safety.

 Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

 On July 15, 1997 the Transportation Department completed the installation of a program to test the traffic calming measures recommended by the Glenbrook Traffic Work Group and supported by the residents, as presented to them at a public meeting, and approved by North York Council.

 These measures consist of 'pinch points' and 'intersection dividers' as detailed on Appendix A. Several other types of traffic control measures were suggested by the community and reviewed by the Work Group including speed humps, turn restrictions, bicycle lanes/walkway, and continuous police enforcement. For a variety of reasons, as reviewed by the community during the process, these were rejected as viable options for the management of traffic on Glenbrook Avenue.

 Throughout the test period the department monitored traffic, responded to residents concerns and made modifications to the measures as deemed appropriate. Numerous complaints were received regarding the aesthetics of the planters used to simulate the ultimate traffic calming measures. No functional or safety concerns were determined to exist by the department and snow clearing, roadway maintenance, garbage collection and emergency services were carried out throughout the test with no effect on service or safety.

 Traffic speeds and volumes were recorded throughout the test which indicated that average speeds were reduced by 12.6 %. While 24 hour vehicle volumes were also reduced by at least 275 vehicles over 1996 data, this reduction cannot be directly attributed to traffic calming.

 Throughout the implementation of the traffic management plan, the policy for evaluation and monitoring of traffic calming was followed. The plan was presented to the residents and approved by the affected residents prior to implementation of the test. Upon completion of the test a direct mail questionnaire was sent to the residents of Glenbrook Avenue where they were requested to vote on the permanent installation of the test. A total of fifty questionnaires were sent out and only nineteen were returned, of which 8 were in favour and 11 were against a permanent installation of the traffic calming concept.

 Conclusion:

 Based on the results of the response to the questionnaire, Councillor Moscoe has communicated with the residents of Glenbrook Avenue and determined it appropriate to remove the test traffic management plan.

 Contact Name:

 Michael J. Frederick, Director of Operations, 395-7484.

(A copy of Appendix A referred to in the foregoing report is on file in the Office of the City Clerk, North York Civic Centre.)