HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-18-015 - Sydney Street South Traffic Calming - Follow-up 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: Steven Ryder, Traffic Technologist,(519)741-2200 x7152
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9
DATE OF REPORT: March 8, 2018
REPORT NO.: INS-18-015
SUBJECT: Sydney Street South Traffic Calming Follow-up Review
____________________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That the traffic calming measures (three (3) speed humps, one (1) raised narrowing)
located on Sydney Street South between Charles Street East and Courtland Avenue East
remain in place on a permanent basis.
BACKGROUND:
Transportation Services had received requests from residents of Sydney Street South in the
past to review the existing traffic conditions on Sydney Street South. Sydney Street South is a
local roadway and its primary intent is to serve local traffic. The primary concerns
were vehicle speeds, traffic volume and overall road user safety. In 2012, a traffic calming
review was initiated for Sydney Street South with the intent to reduce vehicle speed, thereby
increasing safety for all road users.
In August 2013, Council approved report INS-13-068 which recommended a traffic calming plan
for the roadway which consisted of three (3) speed humps and one (1) raised midblock roadway
narrowing.The traffic calming measures were subsequently installed in the 2013/2014
construction seasons.
REPORT:
Transportation Services has conducted a follow-up review of the traffic calming measures
installed on Sydney Street South. The intent of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of the
traffic calming plan and ensure that the measures have successfully mitigated the traffic issues
identified by affected area residents.
*** 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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DATA
As part of the one year follow-up review, Transportation Services staff collected updated traffic
volume and speed data to determine the effectiveness of the traffic calming measures installed
on Sydney Street South. The results are as follows:
Table 1: Sydney Street South - Volumes and Speeds
VolumesSpeeds (km/h)
Count Station Location
DateNBSBTotalChangeAvg. 85th Change
May 2010667843151062
Between Nyberg Street
-7.0%-19.4%
and Delta Street
Oct-17709695140450
An additional location on Sydney Street South was studied for traffic volume and speed data in
order to greater understand the overall traffic calming impact along the entire roadway. The
results are as follows:
Table 2: Sydney Street South - Additional Volumes and Speeds
VolumesSpeeds (km/h)
Count Station LocationDateNBSBTotalChangeAvg. 85th Change
-----
Between Bedford Road
--
and Dundas Avenue
Jul-1711251005213045
The results of these studies show reduction in both traffic volume and vehicle operating speeds
since the original data was collected in 2010.
In the three years prior to the implementation of the traffic calming measures, there were six (6)
motor vehicle collisions along Sydney Street South (between Charles Street East and Courtland
Avenue East). This yielded a collision rate of 2.0 collisions per year. In the past three and a half
years, from a period beginning in January 2014 to October 2017, there have been three (3)
motor vehicle collisions in the same location, resulting in a collision rate of 0.85 collisions per
year. Overall, this demonstrates a reduction in the collision rate for the subject roadway by
approximately 1.15 collisions per year.
RESIDENT SUPPORT
Transportation Services staff conducted a follow-up neighbourhood survey as part of the traffic
calming plan for Sydney Street South. In January 2018, a survey package was mailed out to all
affected area residents within the general project area in order to gauge community support for
the permanent traffic calming measures. The survey package included the results of the traffic
studies performed both before and after the installation. The results of this survey is as follows:
*** 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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Sydney Street South Residents
In favour of maintaining the existing traffic calming measures: 14 (93%)
In favour of removing the existing traffic calming measures: 1 (7%)
TOTAL: 15 out of 47 (32% responded)
Based on the results above, it is clear that there is neighbourhood support to maintain the
existing traffic calming measures on Sydney Street South. Accordingly, Transportation Services
recommends that the existing traffic calming measure remain in place on a permanent basis.
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:
There is no cost associated with the recommendation.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM Directly affected residents of the Sydney Street South traffic calming review have
received information and communication regarding this review since 2012.Residents were
made aware of the report to Committee and Council through a mail-out in March 2018.
CONSULT The Sydney Street South traffic calming review began with an initiation survey in
2012. Two (2) Public Information Centres were held to gain input at key stages of the traffic
calming review process, including feedback on the preferred solution. In January 2018,
Transportation Services staff mailed afollow-up survey to all affected residents along Sydney
Street South to determine support for the preferred plan.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, Interim Executive Director,
Infrastructure Services Department
Attached:
Appendix A Traffic Calming Plan
*** 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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Appendix A: Traffic Calming Plan
Sydney Street South Charles Street East to Courtland Avenue East
#4
#3
#2
#1
#1 Speed hump located between Bedford Road and Dundas Avenue
#2 Raised roadway narrowing located at Nyberg Street intersection
#3 Speed hump located between Nyberg Street and Delta Street
#4 Speed hump located between Delta Street and Maurice Street
- Study Boundary
*** 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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