HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-18-016 - Daimler Drive - Traffic Calming ReviewREPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: April 9, 2018
SUBMITTED BY: Ken Carmichael,Interim Director Transportation Services 519-
741-2200 x7372
PREPARED BY: Ryan Krantz, Traffic Technologist, 519-741-2200 x7302
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 2
DATE OF REPORT: March 15, 2018
REPORT NO.: INS-18-016
SUBJECT: Daimler Drive Traffic Calming
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RECOMMENDATION:
That a series of three (3) speed humps be installed along Daimler Drive between Old
Chicopee Drive and Lackner Boulevard.
BACKGROUND:
Traffic volume and speeding are significant safety related issues frequently raised by residents
of affected neighbourhoods in the City of Kitchener. In response to these issues, Council
reviewed, updated and subsequently Traffic Calming Policy in 2014 and
established an annual budget to address traffic management issues in residential
neighbourhoods. The traffic calming policy outlines a number of evaluation criteria that provide a
fair and consistent review of streets and communities, while defining and prioritizing the
individual streets and/or communities that are most in need of traffic calming from a traffic safety
perspective.
In February 2017, Council approved report INS-17-0Traffic Calming Priority - 2017hich
recommended that a traffic calming review be conducted for Daimler Drive.
REPORT:
InMarch 2017,Transportation Services Traffic Calming Policy
dictates that a minimum of 25% of the neighbourhood must respond in favour of a review in
order for staff to proceed. The result of that survey are as follows:
In support of a traffic calming review: 55 (38.5% of 143 surveys)
Not in support of a traffic calming review:24 (16.7% of 143 surveys)
Total 79 responded out of 143 (55%)
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Subsequently, two public meetings were held on May 16, 2017 and December 6, 2017 to
discuss the traffic calming review process along with the current traffic conditions, alternative
design options as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each design alternative and
present the preferred design alternative option as determined by the traffic calming steering
committee.
In January 2018, Transportation Services staff mailed a final survey to all affected area
residents along Daimler Drive. The intent of the survey was to determine if there is sufficient
support for the implementation of the recommended traffic calming measures. As per the City of
Kitchener Traffic Calming policy, a minimum of 50% of directly affected residents must respond
to the survey and 60% of the respondents must support the recommended plan for staff to
recommend installation of the proposed measures.
There were a total of 86 directly affected properties surveyed within the boundaries of the study
area. The results of this survey are as follows:
Residents in favour of the recommended plan: 42(85.7%)
Residents opposed to the recommended plan: 7(14.3%)
Total 49 responded out of 86 (57%)
There were a total of 57 indirectly affected properties surveyed within the boundaries of the
study area. The results of this survey are as follows:
Residents in favour of the recommended plan: 9(36%)
Residents opposed to the recommended plan: 16(64%)
Total 25 responded out of 57 (44%)
Based on the results above, the Daimler Drive traffic calming review met the required minimum
community support.
Transportation Services consulted with Kitchener Fire regarding the proposed speed humps.
Kitchener Fire had concerns but accepted the proposal to install no more than three (3) speed
humps along Daimler Drive. It is recognized that more than three (3) speed humps in this instance
could have an adverse impact on their ability to access residences in a timely manner.
Staff acknowledge that since the revised traffic calming policy was approved in 2014, there has
been considerable effort to reduce the use of speed humps. Speed cushions have been used in
lieu of speed humps in previous reviews where warranted, however speed cushions are less
effective at reducing overall speed. In this particular instance, a series of 5 speed cushions
would be required to adequately address speeding concerns in lieu of 3 speed humps. The
additional measures would result increased delay to emergency services as well as higher
capital and operating costs. Additionally, speed cushions require that parking be prohibited in
the immediate vicinity of the measures, which has a negative overall impact on the residents.
As indicated by the results, the vast majority of respondents are in favour of implementing the
traffic calming measures. As a result, Transportation Services recommends that the preferred
traffic calming plan be implemented. The recommended changes would ultimately create a safer
environment for all road users, with no loss of on-street parking.
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Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority:3:Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods.
Strategy:3:2Create safer streets in our neighbourhoods through new
traffic calming approaches.
Strategic Action:NB39 Traffic Calming
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The total cost of implementing the traffic calming plan is approximately $17,000 and will be
taken from Transportation Services traffic calming capital budget account.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM Directly affected residents of Daimler Drive have been involved in this traffic calming
review throughout the entire process. The review included confirmation by the residents via a
survey to initiate the review, two (2) public meetings to gain input on any issues along Daimler
Drive, as well as receive feedback on the proposed solution. The approval plan was supported
by the majority of responding residents through another formal survey.
CONSULT - Residents were notified via letter regarding this report recommending the
implementation of the proposedtraffic calming plan in March 2018.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, Interim Executive Director,
Infrastructure Services Department
Attached:
Appendix A Traffic Calming Plan
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Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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Appendix A Traffic Calming Plan
Daimler Drive Old Chicopee Drive to Lackner Boulevard
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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