Installation of a Pedestrian Crossover -

Coxwell Avenue between Robbins Avenue and

Gerrard Street East (East Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends that a pedestrian crossover be installed at Coxwell Avenue between Robbins Avenue and Gerrard Street East, subject to funds being provided over and above the funds already allocated in the 1998 Capital Budget for crosswalks in the Toronto Community Council area.

The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (May 12, 1998) from the Director, Infrastructure Planning and Transportation, City Works Services:

Purpose:

To respond to the request of the Toronto Community Council, at its meeting of May 6, 1998, to report on the feasibility of installing a pedestrian crossover on Coxwell Avenue in the vicinity of Moncur Playground.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

In the event that Council were to authorize the installation of the pedestrian crossover, the cost would be $15,000.00. Funds would have to be accommodated within the 1998 Operating Budget for this purpose.

Recommendation:

That this report be received for information.

Background:

Toronto Community Council at its meeting of May 6, 1998, in considering a request from East Toronto Councillor Tom Jakobek (Item 61) requested that Works staff report on the feasibility of installing a pedestrian crossover on Coxwell Avenue in the vicinity of Moncur Playground.

Comments:

Works staff have investigated the request for the installation of a pedestrian crossover (PXO) on Coxwell Avenue at a point approximately 85.0 metres north of Robbins Avenue in the vicinity of Moncur Playground.

Coxwell Avenue from Robbins Avenue to Gerrard Street East is a four-lane arterial roadway which operates two-way with a pavement width of 12.8 metres and a posted maximum 40 kilometre per hour speed limit.

Stopping on this section of Coxwell Avenue is prohibited from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday on the east side and from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on the west side of the street. Parking is allowed at other times, subject to temporal restrictions, on both sides of the street. Permit parking regulations are not in effect on this section of Coxwell Avenue.

Works staff conducted an eight-hour PXO warrant study on May 4, 1998 on Coxwell Avenue between Robbins Avenue and the north end of Moncur Playground. A total of 13 pedestrians crossed Coxwell Avenue in the immediate vicinity of Moncur Playground with only two being delayed more than 10 seconds. The study area was enlarged to cover three times the usual limits (a distance of 50 metres north and south of the playground). A total of 53 pedestrians were observed crossing the street within this expanded area with only 5 of them being delayed longer than 10 seconds. The installation warrants for a PXO require a minimum of 200 pedestrians crossing the street near the proposed crossover site within an 8-hour period and a minimum of 75 pedestrians experiencing delays of greater than 10 seconds before being able to cross. Special consideration is given to children and disabled persons in calculating the installation warrant.

It should also be noted that the installation of a PXO at this location would result in the loss of six parking spaces on Coxwell Avenue to ensure that suitable advance sight lines would be maintained at this mid-block location. If Community Council were to recommend the installation of a PXO on Coxwell Avenue at a point 85.0 metres north of the north curb of Robbins Avenue, it should be noted that the expenditure of $15,000 to facilitate this installation will reduce limited financial resources for PXO installations elsewhere, at locations where the technical warrants for a PXO are satisfied and such a measure would improve safety.

In light of the above, the installation of a PXO on Coxwell Avenue opposite Moncur Playground is not justified.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

David G. Dignard

392-7771