Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-11-014 - Sunnyside Public School Bus Loading ZoneREPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: February 7, 2011 SUBMITTED BY: John McBride, Director, Transportation Planning, 2374 PREPARED BY: Ronald K. Schirm, Supervisor, Crossing Guards, 2232 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 2 DATE OF REPORT: January 20, 2011 REPORT NO.: INS-11-014 SUBJECT: SUNNYSIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS LOADING ZONE RECOMMENDATIONS: That a School Bus Loading be established on the east side of Emerald Avenue from a point 80 metres north of Weber Street East to a point 65 metres north thereof; and further, That the Uniform Traffic Bylaw be amended accordingly. BACKGROUND: Sunnyside Public School is a senior public school serving grade 7 and 8 students located on Weber Street in Ward 2. At this time there are 7 school busses that serve the school daily and this level of service is expected to remain for the foreseeable future. REPORT: Sunnyside Public School, located on Weber Street, is bounded by Emerald Avenue, Prospect Avenue and Euler Avenue. School busses have been using Emerald Avenue to load and unload students. Emerald Avenue is the most suitable location for this activity in that passengers are able to access the school directly, there are no students who live on the opposite side of Emerald Avenue needing to access the school, and traffic volumes are very low on the affected street. The best location for a school bus loading zone would be from just north of the driveway entrance to the school to about 15 metres south of the intersection of Prospect Avenue. The presence of the busses would not negatively impact activity at the intersection and vehicles are able to access the school parking facility safety. The installation of a school bus loading zone enables to the busses to engage in loading/unloading passengers without flashing lights and stop signs, stopping all traffic on the street. A school bus is approximately 13 metres long and 7 school busses would require 91 metres. Only 65 metres are available, which would be able to accommodate 5 school busses at once. The School Transportation Service of Waterloo Region has indicated that at the start of the school day the 7 busses do not arrive simultaneously. At the end of the school day the loading and unloading can be staged such that two school busses do not arrive until there is adequate space in the school bus loading zone. é ó ï At present there are no stopping anytime signs on the east side of Emerald Avenue from Weber Street to a point 116 metres north. From that point no parking signs are in place to Prospect Avenue. School bus loading zones are no stopping zones, as per the general provisions of the Uniform Traffic Bylaw. In order to alleviate any conflict with existing signs, the no parking signs will be replaced by no stopping anytime signs. This will then create a no stopping zone on the east side of Emerald Avenue from Weber Street to Prospect Avenue. This is possible under the general provisions of the Uniform Traffic Bylaw. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: This initiative aligns with two or more elements of the Strategic Plan. It aligns with the Community Priority: Quality of Life in that are we working with our many partners in providing a culture of safety, as safety is the first priority when considering installations of this type. This report also aligns itself with the efficient and effective government, providing timely and quality infrastructure and valued services. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Three school bus loading zone signs will be installed and two no parking signs will be replaced by no stopping anytime signs at a total cost of $750. All sign manufacture and installation costs will be drawn from the sign installation account. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The Student Transportation Services of Waterloo are prime stakeholders. Sunnyside Public School is also a prime stakeholder. The request for the school bus loading zone originated from Student Transportation Services of Waterloo. Both were consulted in regards to location, context and operational issues and are in agreement with the proposed installation. Residents living on Emerald Avenue opposite the proposed school bus loading zone will be notified via letter as to the location and accompanying stopping restrictions opposite their homes, subject to the approval of this report. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO Infrastructure Services Department é ó î Schedule “A” INS 11 - 014 Sunnyside School School Bus Loading Zone Location of Proposed School Bus Loading Zone No stopping Anytime Zone é ó í