Traffic and Parking Concerns on Falmouth Avenue

by Walter Perry Junior Public School

Ward 15 - Scarborough City Centre

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

 Purpose:

 To address the need for parking/stopping restrictions on Falmouth Avenue adjacent to Walter Perry Junior 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 (1)the parking and stopping regulation identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;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 former Scarborough Councillor Paul Mushinski, on behalf of area residents, Road and Traffic Services staff investigated parking and pedestrian crossings on Falmouth Avenue, in the area of Walter Perry Junior Public School.

 Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

 Falmouth Avenue is a residential collector road located north of Danforth Road and west of Brimley Road. A 40 kilometre 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. A No Parking, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday restriction is posted opposite the school on the west side. School Crossings exist on Falmouth Avenue at Brussels Road and at Lorraine Avenue.

 Traffic Operations - On-Street Parking Observations

Many motorists choose to ignore the existing parking restrictions and/or the school bus loading zone along the front of the school on Falmouth Avenue. The following table shows the results of these observations:

*Staff Parking Lot Spaces: 28 stalls which includes 3 reserved and 1 disabled person stall

 This table shows that most parents/guardians have a tendency to park directly abutting the school grounds while fewer motorists parked on the west or opposite side of the road. By parking on the school side of the road, their passengers were allowed direct/safe access to/from the school. By changing the by-law on this street to allow temporary school side parking, we are attempting to maintain two lanes of travel through this area and increase pedestrian/motorist safety.

 It should also be noted that, several vehicles were also recorded making three-point-turns along the front of the school. Road and Traffic Services is concerned about motorists making "three-point turns" in sensitive school areas specifically because when vehicles reverse, driver visibility of pedestrians, especially small children, may be seriously reduced. Although less convenient, perhaps the safest way for motorists to change their direction of travel would involve going around the block.

Pedestrian Crossing Concerns

 Road and Traffic Services staff recorded the volume and location of pedestrian crossings simultaneously with the parking observations. This information is shown in the following tables.

These tables reflect typical patterns of pedestrians passing to/from both schools during the respective admission and dismissal hours. Although not shown on these tables, many pedestrian movements were also associated to those vehicles waiting along side the schools and therefore, these pedestrians did not cross Falmouth Avenue.

 It is encouraging to note that the School Crossings, were well utilized, particularly by the younger pedestrians. Most importantly, no conflicts between motorists or pedestrians were recorded during our study.

 Collision History along Falmouth Avenue

 Road and Traffic Services conducted a thorough three year review (1994, 1995 and 1996) of the reported collision history along Falmouth Avenue. This review showed that, during this time period, only one collision was reported. This incident that occurred late on a Sunday evening in January 1994 during foul weather. Although the driver failed to remain at the scene, the only reported damage was to a parked vehicle. Given this innocuous collision history, additional collision analysis is unwarranted at this time.

 Possible Improvements to School Site

 We have requested, in a previous memo, that the school consider improvements to their site in order to better facilitate school related pick-up and drop-off. These improvements may include, but not limit to expanded parking lot, circular driveway, two driveways to the parking lot and promotional campaign to encourage parents to obey the traffic signage and/or consider not driving children to school.

 Conclusions:

 Some alterations to the existing on-street parking restrictions along Falmouth Avenue 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/east 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 16 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/west side of the road to not allow even temporary parking on this side of the road. This new restriction will prohibit vehicles from stopping on both sides of the road.

 We recommend reducing and adjusting 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 was discussed with the school principal.

 No Stopping Anytime restrictions are also recommended to be installed for 9 metres on either side of the existing School Crossings to ensure adequate sight lines for pedestrians and the school safety patrollers.

 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 Parking"

 Prohibition to be Rescinded

 Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4

 HighwaySideFromToTimes or Days

 Falmouth WestOrdway Century7:00 a.m. to

AvenueRoadDrive6:00 p.m.

Monday to

Friday

 Appendix 1

 "No Stopping"

 Prohibition to be Rescinded

 Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4

 HighwaySideFromToTimes or Days

 FalmouthEastOrdway Century7:00 a.m. to

AvenueRoadDrive6:00 p.m.

Monday to

Friday

Appendix 2

 "No Stopping"

 Prohibition to be Enacted

 Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4

 HighwaySideFromToTimes or Days

 Falmouth West OrdwayCentury 8:00 a.m. to

AvenueRoad Drive4:00 p.m.

Monday to

Friday

 FalmouthBoth9 metres south18 metres furtherAnytime

Avenueof Brussels Roadnorth

 FalmouthBoth9 metres north18 metres furtherAnytime

Avenueof Lorraine Avenuesouth

  "Parking for Restricted Periods"

 Prohibition to be Enacted

  Column 1Column 2Column 3Column 4Column 5

Maximum

Period

HighwaySideFromToTimes or DaysPermitted

 FalmouthEast OrdwayCentury8:00 a.m. to30 minutes

AvenueRoadDrive4:00 p.m.

Monday to

Friday