Parking and Traffic Conditions on

Highview Avenue at Birch Cliff Heights Public School

Ward 13 - Scarborough Bluffs

The Scarborough Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (April12, 1999) from the Director of Transportation Services, District 4:

Purpose:

To address the need to amend the parking and stopping regulations on Highview Avenue at Birch Cliff Heights Public School.

Funding Sources:

The $300.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of the parking restriction signs is available in the 1999 budget estimates, Account No. 100-TP10220.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the stopping regulations identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;

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

(3) the appropriate by-law be amended accordingly;

(4)copies of this report be sent to the Toronto Board of Education, and Birch Cliff Heights Public School for their information; and

(5)a copy of this report be sent to the Toronto Police Service, Parking Enforcement Unit requesting selective enforcement of the existing parking regulations near Birch Cliff Heights Public School.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At the request of Councillor Brian Ashton's office, traffic studies were conducted at Birch Cliff Heights Public School to evaluate the suitability of parking regulations in the vicinity of this school and to determine if a modification of these regulations would be beneficial.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Currently, along the north/school side of Highview Avenue, both "No Stopping Anytime" and school bus loading zone signs are posted. "No Stopping Anytime" signs are also posted along the south/opposite side of Highview Avenue. A pedestrian crossover is located on Highview Avenue at the west limit of the school property. Toronto Transit Commission bus stops also exist on both sides of the street.

The following table shows the results of on-street parking observations as well as vehicle movements in/out the parking lot of Birch Cliff Heights Public School on Tuesday, May 26, 1998:

Study Period: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.		Study Period: 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Illegal Parking-Highview Av. (N.Side) Illegal Parking-Highview Av. (S.Side)	26 5	Illegal Parking-Highview Av. (N.Side) Illegal Parking-Highview Av. (S.Side)	18 2
School Buses w/in the S.B.L.Z. School Bus Loading Zone Violations	6 18	School Buses w/in the S.B.L.Z. School Bus Loading Zone Violations	4 10
Driveway (lot capacity 25 stalls) - IN's - OUT's	55 36	Driveway (lot capacity 25 stalls) - IN's - OUT's	23 18
U-Turns 3Pt.-Turns	2	U-Turns 3Pt.-Turns	2

Our studies revealed that most motorists prefer to park along the north side of Highview Avenue in front of the school. While parking along this portion of the road is currently illegal, and motorists doing so risk being ticketed, by parking in this area they avoid having their passengers cross in front of through traffic.

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

Along with the vehicular study, pedestrian traffic observations were taken simultaneously. The following tables show these observations:

Pedestrian Crossings at the PXO, May 26, 1998
Study Period: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.		Study Period: 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pedestrians Crossing to the North Side of Highview Avenue (to School) Pedestrians Crossing to the South Side of Highview Avenue (from School)	88 43	Pedestrians Crossing to the North Side of Highview Avenue (to School) Pedestrians Crossing to the South Side of Highview Avenue (from School)	72 68