Traffic and Parking Concerns on Birkdale Road

by Edgewood Public School

Ward 15 - Scarborough City Centre

 The Scarborough Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (June 12, 1998) from the Director of Road and Traffic Services, Scarborough:

Purpose:

 To address the need for parking/stopping restrictions on Birkdale Road adjacent to Edgewood Public School.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 The $1,000.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of these parking and stopping restriction signs are available in the Road and Traffic Services 1998 Budget, Account No. 20000-70200-72260.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that:

 (1)the stopping regulation identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;

 (2)the parking and stopping regulations identified in Appendix 2 of this report be adopted; and

 (3)the appropriate by-laws be amended accordingly.

Council Reference/Background/History:

 As a result of a request from an area resident, with regard to parking and pedestrian crossing concerns on Birkdale Road, we reviewed the area of Edgewood Public School with regard to pedestrian crossing activity and on-street parking.

 Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

 Birkdale Road is a residential collector road located south of Ellesmere Road between Midland Avenue and Brimley Road. A 40 kilometres per hour speed limit is posted on this road and appropriate school area signs exist warning motorists of the presence of children in the area. A School Bus Loading Zone exists in front of the school along with a No Stopping, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday restriction. No Parking Anytime restrictions also exist on both sides of the street northeast of the school and on the south side of the road southwest of the school.

 Traffic Operations - On-Street Parking Observations

 Most motorists, when given an option, choose to park on-street along the north side of Birkdale Road in front of the school. The following table shows the results of these observations:

 This table shows that most parents/guardians, who did not enter the school's parking lot prefer to park directly abutting the school grounds. Some motorists also parked on the south or opposite side of the road. This created a situation which severely restricted the travel portion of the roadway to regular through traffic.

 It should also be noted that on this chart some vehicles made "three-point turns" during our observations as a means to change their direction. Road and Traffic Services has concerns about motorists making "three-point turns" in sensitive school areas specifically because when vehicles reverse, driver visibility of pedestrians, especially small children, may be reduced.

 Pedestrian Crossing Observations

 Road and Traffic Services staff also recorded the volume and location of pedestrian crossings by the school on Birkdale Road. Fortunately, no conflicts were recorded between any pedestrian and motorists during our studies. Nonetheless, the following tables shows our observations:

 These tables show that, while many pedestrian crossings are taking place sporadically near the school, there is a high concentration of pedestrian crossings occurring near the walkway by No. 239 Birkdale Road. Although many of the crossings near the walkway were occurring diagonally, because of the "skewed alignment" between the property limit of the school and the location of the walkway, there is a definite pedestrian route in this area. In addition, although not shown on these tables, many pedestrian movements were associated to those vehicles waiting alongside the school and therefore, these pedestrians did not cross over Birkdale Road.

 Traffic Operations - Automatic Traffic Counts

 In addition to the site observations partially outlined above, Automatic Traffic Recorders (ATR's) were installed on Birkdale Road to record the volume of vehicular traffic using this road near the school. The following details show the result of this study:

 DATE: LANE DIRECTION:24 HOUR VEHICLE VOLUME:

 Friday, May 16, 1997Northbound793 Vehicles

Friday, May 16, 1997Southbound669 Vehicles

 It is important to note that the Ontario Warrant for Pedestrian Crossovers (PXO's) requires a minimum of 2,000 vehicles in a 12-hour period in order to even apply the crossing volumes to the warrant. Given these facts, installation of a Pedestrian Crossover is not warranted on Birkdale Road near Edgewood Public School.

 School Safety Patroller Programme

 Given the volume of pedestrian movements (153 pedestrians observed within the school study area on Monday, May 20, 1997) it was confirmed that requesting the investigation for a school safety patroller programme to assist school pedestrians cross Birkdale Road is warranted. These investigations are conducted by the Metro Police and have been requested.

 Collision History

 In addition to the studies outlined above, Road and Traffic Services conducted a thorough four-year collision review of the this area (from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1996) that revealed that four collisions have been reported on Birkdale Road, by the school, during this time.

 The first of these collisions occurred in March of 1993 when a parked vehicle was struck by another vehicle due in part to the packed snow road conditions. This collision, that occurred on a Sunday afternoon did not result in anything more serious than minor property damage. In 1994 two collisions were recorded. The first of these, occurring in July of this year, involved only property damage however, the driver failed to remain at the scene. The other collision in August of 1994 also involved property damage, however, the erratic driver in this case was charged. The most recent collision on Friday, February 2, 1996 resulted from an improper turn. Again in this instance, only minor damages resulted. Given this fairly innocuous collision history, further analysis is not required at this time.

 Conclusions:

 Some alteration to the existing on-street parking restrictions along Birkdale Road can make them more consistent with changes at other schools. Specifically, installing "30 Minute Parking, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday" signs along the school/north side of the road directly in front of the school such that private vehicle passengers can directly access the school without having to cross in front of through traffic. This recommendation will provide sufficient room for approximately 9 private vehicles to park temporarily.

 We also recommend to install a "No Stopping, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m, Monday - Friday" restriction on the opposite/south side of the road to not allow even temporary parking on this side of the road. This new restriction would prohibit vehicles from stopping on both sides of the road.

 We recommend reducing the size of the School Bus Loading Zone which will provide more room for parents to load and unload children. Reducing the size of this zone has been discussed with the school principal.

 Contact Name:

 Bruce Clayton

Supervisor, Traffic Investigations, Works and Environment, Scarborough District

Telephone: 396-7844

Fax: 396-5681

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

 Appendix 1

 "No Stopping"

 Prohibition to be Rescinded

 Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4

HighwaySideFromToTimes or Days

BirkdaleNorthAbbottswood 137.25 metres7:00 a.m. to

RoadRoadeast of Abbottswood6:00 p.m.

RoadMonday to

Friday

 Appendix 2

 "No Stopping"

 Prohibition to be Enacted

 Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4

 HighwaySideFromToTimes or Days

 Birkdale South Abbottswood137 metres 8:00 a.m. to

RoadRoad east ofAbbottswood4:00 p.m.

RoadMonday to

Friday

  "Parking for Restricted Periods"

 Prohibition to be Enacted

 Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5

 Maximum

Period

HighwaySideFromToTimes or DaysPermitted

 BirkdaleNorth Abbottswood 137 metres8:00 a.m. to30 minutes

RoadRoadeast of4:00 p.m.

AbbottswoodMonday to

RoadFriday