HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-19-141 - School Related Traffic ReviewREPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:June 17, 2019
SUBMITTED BY: Barry Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services, 519-741-2200
Extension 7738
PREPARED BY:Dean McMillan, Supervisor, Crossing Guards,519-741-2200
Extension 7232
WARD (S) INVOLVED:Ward(s)7 and 9
DATE OF REPORT:May 16, 2019
REPORT NO.:DSD-19-141
SUBJECT:School Related Traffic Review
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION: Thatthe existingSchool Bus Loading Zoneon Stirling Avenuebe
extended on the westside(even-numbered)200msouthof CharlesStreetto a point 250m
souththereof; and,
That the Adult Crossing Guard be removed along Highview Drive at Willow Green Court;
and further,
That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
Transportation Services is providing an update to Council prior to school year end with changes
for the upcoming school year, the following items have been outlined for review:
Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region(STSWR)haverequested an
extension of the existing School Bus Loading Zone, including a No-stopping restriction;
Staff are recommending the removal of the crossing guard for Highview Drive at Willow
Green Courtdue to a decreasein the number of students accessing the crossing location.
REPORT:
Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute – School Bus Loading Zone
STSWR requested an extension of the existing School Bus Loading Zone (SBLZ) on the west
side of Stirling Avenue(between Charles Street and Courtland Avenue)to accommodateschool
buses dropping-off and picking-upstudents. Staff have reviewed the locationand determined
that the existing school buszonecan be lengthened to accommodate approximately 14 buses
that are stopping along Stirling Avenue for the high school. Further information is illustratedin
Appendix A.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance.
3 - 1
Highview Drive at Willow Green Court – Crossing Guard Removal
Concerns were received in relation to the relatively low number of students crossing Highview
Drive at Willow Green Court.As a result, staff collected information for both the morning and
afternoon shifts.For both shifts there wereno more than 10 pedestrians observed crossing and
the majority of pedestrians crossing were accompanied by an adult. Due to the low number of
pedestrians observed at this crossing location, staff are recommending to discontinuethe
crossing guardlocation for the upcoming school year. The affected school hasbeennotified of
the change.A location map is included in Appendix B.
Additionally, it should be noted thatstaff improved the crossing through a recommendation
brought forward to Council to narrow the roadway along Highview Drive at the intersection during
a traffic calming review in 2013 (Report: INS-13-063); the road narrowing has since been
installed and effectively lessens the distance for pedestrians crossing.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the city’s strategic vision through
the delivery of core service.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Funds for the signs in relation to schools will be taken from the existing sign maintenance budget
and is expected to cost approximately $1750.00.A cost savings is expected to be realized from
the existing crossing guardpart-timewages ofapproximately $9,500.00per year.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the
council / committee meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager
Development Services Department
Attached:
Appendix A – Key Map – Proposed School Bus Loading Zone –Stirling Avenue
Appendix B – Key Map – Proposed Crossing Guard Removal –Highview Drive at Willow Green Court
3 - 2
Appendix A
Proposed School Bus Loading Zone
Stirling Avenue
Cameron Heights
Collegiate Institute
Kaufman Park
Legend
Existing School Bus Loading Zone
Proposed School Bus Loading Zone
3 - 3
Appendix B
Proposed Crossing Guard Removal
Highview Drive at Willow Green Court
Legend
Crossing Guard Removal
3 - 4