Parking and Pedestrian Crossings in Front of

St. Sylvester Catholic School and Silver Springs Public School

Silver Springs Boulevard

Ward 17 - Scarborough Agincourt

The Scarborough Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (November 25, 1999) from the Director of Transportation Services, District 4:

Purpose:

To address the need to amend the parking/stopping restrictions in the area of St. Sylvester Catholic School and Silver Springs Public School on Silver Springs Boulevard.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The $1,000.00 (approximate) funds associated with the installation of the parking/stopping restriction signs is available in the Transportation Services 1998 Budget, Account No. 20000-70200-72260.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the stopping regulations identified in Appendix 1 of this report be rescinded;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-law be amended accordingly.

Council Reference/Background/History:

As a result of a verbal request from Principal Jim Lockett, of St. Sylvester Catholic School, Transportation Services examined school related traffic/parking conditions. Given the close proximity of Silver Springs Public School, simultaneous traffic studies where also taken at this location. A number of adjustments to the parking/stopping restrictions were examined.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Currently both schools have a "No Stopping, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" restriction posted along the frontage of the schools along with a school bus loading zone at each school. At Silver Springs Public School the school bus loading zone is within an on-street bus bay. On the opposite side of the road, no signs are currently posted. A pedestrian crossover (PXO) is also located on Silver Springs Boulevard at Dancy Avenue and contains the appropriate "No Stopping" restriction 9 metres on either side of the crossover.

On-Street Parking Observations:

Site traffic studies were conducted on Monday, March 30, 1998 during the morning and the afternoon admission/dismissal times. The following table shows the results of these observations:

Study Period 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.		Study Period 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Illegal Parking St. Sylvester (W.Side) Legal Parking St. Sylvester (E.Side) Illegal Parking Silver Springs (W.Side) Legal Parking Silver Springs (E.Side)	20 10 21 14	Illegal Parking St. Sylvester (W.Side) Legal Parking St. Sylvester (E.Side) Illegal Parking Silver Springs (W.Side) Legal Parking Silver Springs (E.Side)	10 7 9 19
School Large Buses/Mini Buses - buses at St. Sylvester C.S. - buses at Silver Springs P.S. ( bus bay)	3 4	School Large Buses/Mini Buses - buses at St. Sylvester C.S. - buses at Silver Springs P.S. (bus bay)	2 5
Parking Lot Use - inbound at St. Sylvester C.S. - outbound at St. Sylvester C.S. - inbound at the tennis club lot - outbound at the tennis club lot - inbound at Silver Springs P.S. - outbound at Silver Springs P.S.	0 0 29 20 47 27	Parking Lot Use - inbound at St. Sylvester C.S. - outbound at St. Sylvester C.S. - inbound at the tennis club lot - outbound at the tennis club lot - inbound at Silver Springs P.S. - outbound at Silver Springs P.S.	0 0 14 27 23 21
Three Point Turns - (Both Sides) at St. Sylvester C.S. at Silver Springs P.S.	30 7	Three Point Turns - (Both Sides) at St. Sylvester C.S. at Silver Springs P.S.	9 3

This table shows that while some parking violations are occurring, much of the school generated traffic volume is being accommodated by off-street parking lots. Transportation Services supports this action as we have always encouraged any institution creating traffic to accommodate it off the public road allowance whenever possible.

What was also noted in this table is that the majority of motorists are ignoring the stopping restriction along the frontage of the schools at dropping off and picking up passengers. While this provides improved safety for passengers, not only is it currently illegal but it creates congestion with those motorists who are currently obeying the posted restrictions and parking on the west/opposite side of the road.

Pedestrian Crossing Concerns

Transportation Services staff also recorded the volume and location of pedestrian crossings by this school simultaneously with the parking observations. This information has been detailed in the following tables.

Study Period 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Pedestrian Crossings by St. Sylvester C.S.
Pedestrians Crossing to the West Side of Silver Springs Blvd. (towards school)		Pedestrians Crossing to the East Side of Silver Springs Blvd. (away from school)
Children	36	Children	1
Assisted Children	14	Assisted Children	0
Adults	12	Adults	3

Study Period 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Pedestrian Crossings by Silver Springs P.S.
Pedestrians Crossing to the West Side of Silver Springs Blvd. (towards school)		Pedestrians Crossing to the East Side of Silver Springs Blvd. (away from school)
Children	13	Children	0
Assisted Children	23	Assisted Children	0
Adults	15	Adults	6

Study Period 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Pedestrian Crossings at the PXO
Pedestrians Crossing to the East Side of Silver Springs Blvd. (towards schools)		Pedestrians Crossing to the East Side of Silver Springs Blvd. (away from schools)
Pedestrians	79	Pedestrians	25

Study Period 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Pedestrian Crossings by St. Sylvester C.S.
Pedestrians Crossing to the West Side of Silver Springs Blvd. (towards school)		Pedestrians Crossing to the East Side of Silver Springs Blvd. (away from school)
Children	0	Children	12
Assisted Children	0	Assisted Children	11
Adults	12	Adults	7

Study Period 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Pedestrian Crossings by Silver Springs P.S.
Pedestrians Crossing to the West Side of Silver Springs Blvd. (towards school)		Pedestrians Crossing to the East Side of Silver Springs Blvd. (away from school)
Children	1	Children	44
Assisted Children	2	Assisted Children	12
Adults	14	Adults	10

Study Period 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Pedestrian Crossings at the PXO
Pedestrians Crossing to the West Side of Silver Springs Blvd. (towards schools)		Pedestrians Crossing to the East Side of Silver Springs Blvd. (away from schools)
Pedestrians	35	Pedestrians	82

A comparison between the uncontrolled mid-block pedestrians crossings and those occurring at the Pedestrian Crossover shows a fairly equal division of pedestrian volume at all locations (A.M. mid-block crossings:123, A.M. crossings at the PXO:104, P.M. mid-block crossings:125, P.M. crossings at the PXO:117). Nonetheless, pedestrians attending either the separate or the public school should be encouraged to make use of the existing traffic control devices at the intersection of Silver Springs Boulevard and Dancy Avenue. However, it is worthwhile to note that, no difficulties between any pedestrians or motorists were recorded during our studies.

Collision History

In addition to the studies outlined above, Transportation Services conducted a three-year collision review, for the years in which we have the most current data (from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1996), that revealed that four collisions have been reported during this time period in the area of the schools.

One collision occurred in February 1994 when a motorists improperly reversed and struck a second vehicle. This collision was not investigated at the scene, and nothing beyond minor property damage was reported. The next collision occurred in April of 1995 and was the result of an improper turning manoeuvre at slow speeds. No charges were issued in this minor collision. The remaining two collisions occurred in May 1996. The first of which, being the most serious, involved a 38 year pedestrian being struck by a vehicle as she tried to cross Silver Springs Boulevard in inclement weather. This collision is quite serious because the driver failed to remain at the scene, fortunately the pedestrian sustained only minor injuries. The remaining collision occurred as the result of an improper lane change. Once again, however, the particulars of this collision indicate that it was of a very minor nature and, as such, it was not investigated at the scene nor were any charges laid. Further collision analysis would not likely reveal any other pertinent details and, therefore, is not warranted at this time.

Conclusions:

As a result of our investigations and discussions with the principals of the schools, we are recommending the following:

(1) Installing "30 Minute Parking, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday" signs along the school/west side of Silver Springs Boulevard directly in front of St. Sylvester C.S. and SilverSprings P.S. schools. Permissive parking restrictions of this type allows private vehicle passengers to directly access the school without having to cross in front of through traffic. To accommodate these new restrictions, the existing "No Stopping, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00p.m., Monday to Friday" signs will be removed. If the school side "permitted parking" change is approved, there will be sufficient room for approximately 12 private vehicles to park temporarily by the catholic school and 9 private vehicles to park temporarily by the public school.

(2) Installing "No Stopping, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" signs on the opposite/east side of the schools. Currently, on this side of the road there are no signed parking restrictions. If properly obeyed, passengers will not be boarding or alighting on opposite side of the road and subsequently crossing in front of through traffic. The new restrictions would also be consistent with 73 other similarly signed school areas altered in the Scarborough District. The recommended "No Stopping, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m, Monday - Friday" signs should also help to eliminate congestion at the private driveways on the opposite side of Silver Springs Boulevard of school generated traffic.

These revised parking restriction times attempt to reflect typical hours of school operation and are intended to consider the occasional on-street parking needs of area residents during "non-school" hours.The "No Stopping, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday" restriction will also help to maintain two lanes of traffic movement by these schools.

Contact Name:

Bruce Clayton

Supervisor, Traffic Investigations, Works and Emergency Services

Telephone: 396-7844

Fax: 396-5681

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

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Appendix 1

"No Stopping"

Prohibition to be Rescinded

Appendix 2

"No Stopping"

Prohibition to be Enacted

"Parking for Restricted Periods"

Prohibition to be Enacted