Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan -

Armour Boulevard and Bombay Avenue -

North York Centre South

The North York Community Council recommends the adoption of the following:

(a)report (November 17, 998) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 3; and

(b)Resolution (December 9, 1998) moved by Councillor Flint:

The North York Community Council submits the following Resolution (December 9, 1998) from Councillor Flint, North York Centre South:

WHEREAS a proposed traffic calming pilot project for the Summit Heights neighbourhood includes speed humps, gateway features and additional stop signs on Bombay Avenue and Armour Boulevard; and

WHEREAS many residents on the streets adjoining Bombay Avenue and Armour Boulevard are concerned that traffic on their streets will increase as drivers attempt to circumvent Bombay Avenue and Armour Boulevard in order to avoid traffic calming measures; and

WHEREAS concerns are greatest on streets nearest the Avenue Road/Bombay Avenue intersection;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT vehicle counts be taken on side streets before and within two weeks after the traffic calming project is undertaken; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, if volume on the side streets increases by 7 percent or more after the installation of temporary traffic calming measures, staff, in consultation with the Councillors and community representatives, be directed to investigate and propose measures to diminish this impact; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a community meeting with affected residents be called, at which time staff will present these proposed measures and seek support to instigate additional traffic calming control measures as soon as possible for the duration of the Armour Boulevard/Bombay pilot.

The North York Community Council submits the following report (November 17, 1998) from the Director, Transportation Services, District 3:

Purpose:

This report will detail the installation of temporary traffic calming measures on Armour Boulevard and Bombay Avenue, requested by residents, to address issues of traffic safety and speeding, in accordance with the former City of North York's Neighbourhood Traffic Management Policy. In addition, the report will identify intersection improvements which would supplement the Traffic Management Plan to increase motorist/pedestrian safety.

Source of funds:

All costs associated with the installation of the temporary Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan are included within the 1998 Capital Budget. Costs for improvements to specific intersections would be considered as part of the 1999 Capital Budget.

Recommendations:

(1)that the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan, as described in this report and in accordance with policy, be approved for installation as a temporary six month test;

(2)that the installation of the speed humps be deferred until the Spring of 1999, or until such time as a report, identifying the impact speed humps have on emergency response times for fire and ambulance vehicles, has been received by North York Community Council from the Ambulance and Fire Services Division of the Works and Emergency Service Department;

(3)that the estimated cost of $185,000.00, for improvements at the Armour Boulevard/Bombay Avenue, Armour Boulevard/Lyonsgate Drive and Armour Boulevard/York Downs Drive intersections, be included for consideration as part of the 1999 Capital Budget item for Road Alterations;

(4)that Transportation Services staff report back to North York Community Council upon the completion of the six month test, in accordance with policy, regarding the effectiveness of the measures and a recommendation as to whether the plan be made permanent, including costs and budgeting; and

(5)that By-Law No. 31878, of the former City of North York, be amended to reduce the speed limit on Armour Boulevard, York Downs Drive to Bombay Avenue, and Bombay Avenue, Armour Boulevard to Bideford Avenue to 40 k/h.

Council Reference/Background/History:

As a result of concerns from residents within the Armour Boulevard/Bombay Avenue, local residents were invited to a community meeting.

In accordance with the Traffic Calming Policy, staff were directed to work with a Traffic Work Group, made up of residents who live on Armour Boulevard and Bombay Avenue, in an effort to address their traffic concerns. After several traffic work group meetings and one meeting with the community, a plan has been developed to address their concerns, through the implementation of several different traffic calming measures. The Traffic Work Group has submitted a request that this matter be brought forward to the North York Community Council for consideration of the proposed temporary plan.

To address more specific concerns for vehicle speeds in the area, Council had approved the installation of speed humps on Newbury Lane, Romney Road and Raeburn Avenue. These speed humps, located between Bathurst Street and Armour Boulevard, have been installed.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

While traffic volumes are within acceptable limits for a collector roadway, residents are concerned that traffic patterns are unacceptable.

The general location of the traffic calming measures proposed to address the residents concerns of safety and off peak speeding, which consist of "pinch points", "intersection dividers", " sidewalk extensions" and "speed humps", are attached as Schedule "A". This was agreed to, in principle, for a six month test by the affected residents. The Avenue Road/Bideford Avenue/Bombay Avenue intersection may require further review to accommodate Toronto Transit Commission bus operations and also to deter any further traffic filtration through the community to the north of Bombay Avenue.

Due to limitations associated with the weather and construction activities, the installation of the speed humps and reconstruction of the intersections must be deferred until the Spring of 1999.

Conclusions:

The Transportation Division of the Works and Emergency Services Department has been active for numerous years, responding to concerns of vehicle speed, volume and traffic safety. Past studies confirm that traditional methods in controlling traffic have had only limited and short term effect. Legislated traffic controls or police enforcement have not been effective in addressing driver behaviour to date. The physical measures which are being proposed have shown success in addressing concerns of speeding in other areas. Staff will continue to work with the residents through to the final phases of the design and installation process.

All City departments and emergency services have been contacted for comments pertaining to the installation of the traffic calming measures. With the exception of the Fire Services, we have received no objections.

In general, the emergency services supported measures that can be taken to improve safety on our streets, however, they expressed concern that when they encounter severe restrictions, emergency services vehicles will be delayed when responding to calls.

Staff of the Toronto Ambulance and Fire Services have advised that it should be realized that when they do encounter such road restrictions as speed humps, bumps, swells or dips, that the response of an emergency vehicle may be delayed. With respect to this particular proposal, they would anticipate delays only at locations where speed humps were installed. All other measures only introduce horizontal changes and therefore would not require a reduction in the speed of the response vehicle.

To address emergency service concerns, the North York Community Council has requested that the Emergency Services Division submit a report identifying the impacts speed humps have on emergency service response times. As a result of the request for the report and the fast approaching cold weather, the installation of the proposed speed humps must be deferred until the Spring. This deferral would also allow staff to assess the benefits associated with the installation of the remaining traffic calming measures. Should it be substantiated that the residents' concerns have been met without the speed humps, their installation could be reconsidered, and if removed from the traffic calming plan, would address the Ambulance and Fire Services concerns for delayed response times. This division considers the proposed traffic calming plan to be functional in addressing driver behaviour, managing vehicle speeds and increasing traffic/pedestrian safety.

Funds exist in the current operating budget to install the temporary traffic calming features for a six month test. The final submission, which would detail the features to be included in the permanent installation of a Traffic Management Plan on Armour Boulevard and Bombay Avenue, would include a cost estimate for the entire project.

Contact Name:

Mr. Allen Pinkerton, Manager, Traffic Operations

395-7463 (telephone)

395-7482 (facsimile)

ajpinker@city.north-york.on.ca. (e-mail)

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