Traffic Concerns on Haileybury Drive

Ward 15 - Scarborough City Centre

 The Scarborough Community Council recommends that the recommendation in the following report be struck out and the following substituted therefor:

 (1)that all-way stop controls be installed for traffic on Haileybury Drive at Arnprior Road, Shediac Road and Penetang Crescent;

 (2)that the appropriate by-laws be amended accordingly;

 (3)that the Director of Road and Traffic Services, Scarborough, review the impact on traffic and report back to Scarborough Community Council in six months' time on the results of such review, including compliance with the all-way stop controls; and

 (4)the Toronto Police Service be requested to implement extensive enforcement of the all-way stop controls.

 The Scarborough Community Council submits the following report (January 23, 1998) from the Director of Road and Traffic Services, Scarborough:

 Purpose:

 To address the concerns of petitioners relating to speeding on Haileybury Drive and to request the Toronto Police to take appropriate action relating to speeding on this street.

 Funding Sources:

 Not Applicable.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that:

 (1)all-way stop controls not be installed for traffic on Haileybury Drive; and

 (2)the Toronto Police Service, 41 Division, receive a copy of this report and take whatever action they deem appropriate relating to speeding on Haileybury Drive.

Background:

 Road and Traffic Services received a 156 signature petition, on behalf of residents living on or near Haileybury Drive, requesting the installation of all-way stop controls at a number of the intersections on Haileybury Drive due to concerns regarding speeding. As a result, Road and Traffic Services initiated a series of traffic studies.

 Discussion:

 Haileybury Drive is a residential roadway located west of Brimley Road and south of Lawrence Avenue. A 40 kilometre per hour speed limit is posted on this road along with appropriate School Area signs for Hunter's Glen Junior Public School. No sidewalks exist on Haileybury Drive or any of the other roads in this area.

 All-Way Stop Control:

 The justification for the installation of an all-way stop control is based on a technical warrant established by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), and adopted as the City Policy by the former Scarborough Council.

 Traffic studies conducted on Tuesday, October 14, 1997 on Haileybury Drive at the following five intersections produced the following results which illustrate that the Warrant's vehicle volume requirements are not satisfied at these locations:

 We must highlight that with the recorded vehicle volume percentage splits for the major/minor roads at these intersections, we would anticipate a high level of stop sign disobedience if stop signs were installed on Haileybury Drive as motorists would rarely encounter traffic on the minor road.

 Therefore, since the Warrant's vehicle volume requirements are not satisfied, all-way stop controls are not warranted at these intersections.

 Please note that the location of Haileybury Drive and Deerfield Road was not studied for the installation of an all-way stop control. Although two different street names, their intersecting point is in the form of a well defined curve and not an intersection.

 The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices dictates that stop signs' usage should be limited to the control of right-of-way conflicts. Since the intersecting point of Haileybury Drive and Deerfield Road is a curve, it has no right-of-way conflicts.

 All-Way Stop Control Integrity:

 We sympathize with the residents' concern of the speeding problem on Haileybury Drive. However, we can never fail to recognize the importance of maintaining the integrity of our All-Way Stop Control Warrant. The following outlines the main reasons why the installation of unwarranted all-way stop controls are not recommended:

 (a)the stop sign is one of the most valuable and effective control devices available to the Traffic Engineering Profession, when used at the right location and under the right conditions;

 (b)the installation of unwarranted stop signs as speed control devices often serves to irritate motorists, resulting in a further increase in speeds to make up time for what they perceive as unnecessary delays. For this reason and as stipulated in the All-Way Stop Control Warrant, it should not be used as a speed control device;

 (c)most motorists are reasonable and prudent with no intention of maliciously violating traffic regulations; however, when an unreasonable restriction is imposed, it does result in flagrant violations. In such cases, the stop sign can create a false sense of security in a pedestrian and an attitude of contempt in a motorist. These two attitudes can and often do conflict, ultimately making the intersection less safe for both pedestrians and motorists;

 (d)the City has an obligation to provide services in an environmentally conscious manner. The installation of unwarranted stop controls not only undermines the MTO Warrant but contributes to unnecessary fuel consumption and higher levels of noise and air pollution. These pollutants most specifically impact those residents in the immediate vicinity of the intersection; and

 (e)the All-Way Stop Control Warrant is incorporated in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Therefore, as the installation of all traffic controls is governed by this Manual, the installation of an unwarranted control could potentially place the City in a position of liability if it was determined to be a factor in a collision.

 During the two study periods, no conflicts were observed between motorists or between motorists and pedestrians at these intersections.

 Also, if all-way stop controls were installed on Haileybury Drive, motorists would now be required to stop in front of homes adjacent to the affected intersections. In the past, we received requests from residents for the removal of stop signs in front of their homes. Some residents feel that these controls will not only adversely affect the appearance of their homes but they will also lose some privacy due to vehicles continually stopping in front of their homes.

 Speeding:

 Automatic 24-hour speed studies conducted on Haileybury Drive at two locations revealed that most motorists travelled within a "tolerable speed range", 1 kilometre per hour to 50 kilometre per hour for this 40 kilometre per hour speed limit road. However, isolated cases of excessive speeding were recorded. Our study results, in detail, are illustrated in the attached tables and a brief summary is as follows:

n/a - count data not available

 Speed Study Analysis:

 Based on the results of our speed studies, we can conclude that Haileybury Drive is similiar to many other residential roads. Specifically, a low number of motorists elect to travel at an unreasonable high speed in total disregard for public safety.

 We must highlight that these low recorded 24-hour vehicle volumes are typical of roads used primarily by area residents and substantiate that Haileybury Drive is functioning well within the traffic parameters of a local residential road, 100 to 1500 vehicles per day.

 Therefore, the motorists travelling at excessive speeds on Haileybury Drive would likely be area residents who are well aware of the traffic conditions on this road.

 Police Enforcement:

 Police enforcement is still the best means for controlling motorists' speeds. Therefore, since cases of excessive speeding were recorded, the continuation of selective police enforcement of the 40 kilometre per hour speed limit on Haileybury Drive will be requested. Therefore, between June 25, 1997 and November 18, 1997, over approximately four hours, two motorists were charged with speeding and three with other offences.

 In addition, the Metropolitan Toronto Police Services has suggested that should residents observe specific motorists continually driving at excessive speeds that they visit their local police division. If residents can provide the police with the times of the day when this speeding occurs and the licence plate numbers of the offenders, the necessary action can then be taken in an effort to reduce these occurrences.

 Collision History:

 A three-year review of the reported collision history on Haileybury Drive reveals no specific problems or pattern to warrant additional traffic control devices. A brief summary is as follows:

 Although any type of collision is regrettable, we must highlight that six reported collisions over three years are not considered an excessive number of collisions.

 Please note that the speed related collision in 1996 involved a motorist driving while under the influence of drugs. The motorist was charged with dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

Conclusions:

 In summary, based on the results of our traffic studies, the installation of all-way stop controls is not warranted on Haileybury Drive.

 However, since cases of excessive speeding were recorded, by copy of this correspondence, the continuation of selective police enforcement of the 40 kilometre per hour speed limit on Haileybury Drive will be requested. In addition, area residents have the option to contact the police if they observe specific motorists continually driving at excessive speeds on this road.

 Contact Name:

 Gary H. Welsh, P.Eng.,

Director, Road and Traffic Services, Works & Environment,

Telephone: 396-5061,

Fax: 396-5681,

E-mail: welsh@city.scarborough.on.ca

 Ms. Marcia Stiles, area resident, appeared before the Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter.