HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-11-035 - Upper Canada Drive Traffic CalmingREPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
April 11, 2011
SUBMITTED BY: John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning
519-741-2374
PREPARED BY: Ken Carmichael, Supervisor of Traffic and Parking
519-741-2372
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 4
DATE OF REPORT: March 25, 2011
REPORT NO.:
INS-11-035
SUBJECT:
UPPER CANADA DRIVE - TRAFFIC CALMING
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the following traffic calming measures be installed on Upper Canada Drive:
Spring/summer/fall speed hump near #25 Upper Canada Drive
Raised crosswalk in front of Pioneer Park Public School (near #60 Upper Canada
Drive)
Speed hump near #76 Upper Canada Drive, and;
That stopping be prohibited between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
on the west side of Upper Canada Drive between a point 280 metres north of Doon
Village Road and Farrier Drive, and;
That stopping be prohibited at anytime on both sides of Upper Canada Drive between
Doon Village Road and a point 15 metres north thereof, and;
That parking be prohibited at anytime on the east side of Upper Canada Drive from a
point 75 metres north of Doon Village Road to a point 45 metres north thereof, and
further;
That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
The existing City of Kitchener traffic calming policy was adopted by Council in August 2004
(DTS 04-125). This 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 that are most in need of traffic calming, from a traffic safety perspective.
Council approved DTS Report 08-016 – “Traffic Calming Priority - 2008”, which recommended
that a traffic calming study be conducted for Upper Canada Drive.
ì ó ï
Transportation Planning has received requests from residents of Upper Canada Drive in the
past to review the existing traffic conditions. According to the concerns indicated, traffic on
Upper Canada Drive is speeding and that operations on the roadway during school drop off and
pick up times are very congested and dangerous for both vehicular traffic and pedestrians.
In response to these requests, the City of Kitchener has reviewed the existing traffic conditions on
Upper Canada Drive and initiated a formal Traffic Calming Review. Undertaking a traffic calming
review for a project of this scale and nature is considered good municipal planning and allows the
City and stakeholders to understand all of the impacts, constraints and opportunities associated
with any traffic calming measures.
REPORT:
Existing Conditions
Upper Canada Drive runs from Doon Village Road to Pioneer Drive and is designated as a local
roadway. The function of a local roadway is to provide access to local residents within the
immediate area and is not generally intended to carry through traffic. The unposted speed limit
on Upper Canada Drive is 50 km/h as outlined in the City of Kitchener Uniform Traffic By-law
2007-138.
Automated Volume and Speed Studies
Traffic volumes and speeds were measured on two separate sections of Upper Canada Drive
on three separate occasions. The following data was recorded:
th
LocationAADT 85 Percentile
Upper Canada Drive between Doon 771 veh/day Eastbound – 57.1 km/hr
Village Rd & Farrier Dr (Jun/07) Westbound – 58.2 km/hr
Upper Canada Drive between Doon 719 veh/day Eastbound – 58.0 km/hr
Village Rd & Farrier Dr (Jun/06) Westbound – 57.9 km/hr
Upper Canada Drive between Pioneer 582 veh/day Eastbound – 56.9 km/hr
Dr & Farrier Dr (Oct/06) Westbound – 60.3 km/hr
Traffic volumes are well within the expected range for a local roadway, while speeds are higher
than typical for similar local roadways.
Collision Analysis
During the three (3) year period from January 2005 to December 2007, the following collisions
occurred on Upper Canada Drive:
Four (4) reported collisions within 100 metres of the intersection of Doon Village Road
and Upper Canada Drive.
Three (3) mid-block collisions on Upper Canada Drive from Farrier Drive to Pioneer
Drive.
ì ó î
This collision history for Upper Canada Drive shows no clear trends as a variety of collision
types have occurred in this area. Three (3) collisions involved vehicles parked on the street.
Other collision types include rear-ends and vehicles turning into private driveways and not
yielding right of way.
The implementation of the appropriate traffic calming measures will assist to reduce the number
of collisions on Upper Canada Drive.
Public Input / Community Response
Public Information Centre (PIC) #1
The first public meeting with the residents of Upper Canada Drive, held March 27, 2008, served
to advise the residents of the existing conditions, outline the traffic calming process and the
measures available for use, as well as to receive further resident input on the issues of concern.
Resident input received following the first public meeting indicated concerns with:
Speeding
School safety
On-street parking / stopping.
The information gained at this meeting was then used by the project team to develop plans for
various traffic calming measures for Upper Canada Drive.
PIC #2
A second public meeting with the residents of Upper Canada Drive was held June 22, 2009.
Based on input from the residents through PIC #1, a moderate approach to traffic calming was
supported by the majority of Upper Canada Drive residents, with speed humps being the traffic
calming measure of preference. From this, the following five alternatives considered for traffic
calming, including the preferred alternative, were presented to the residents of Upper Canada
Drive. These alternatives include:
Two speed humps, two traffic circles, one raised crosswalk
Six speed humps
Five speed humps and one raised crosswalk - **preferred alternative**
Two speed humps, three roadway narrowings, one raised crosswalk
Do nothing.
At the second public meeting, residents indicated concern with the proposed speed humps on
the sloped sections of Upper Canada Drive that were included in the alternatives – with concern
for safety during winter conditions. From this, the City was asked to conduct a winter review of
Upper Canada Drive and to come back to the residents with revised alternatives giving
consideration to these concerns on the sloped sections of Upper Canada Drive during winter
months.
ì ó í
PIC #3
After further review of Upper Canada Drive through the winter of 2009/10, a third public meeting
was held on June 2, 2010. Based on this winter review, two new alternatives were developed
and presented to the residents at this public meeting. Feedback at this public meeting clearly
outlined two issues:
Residents do not support speed humps on the sloped sections of Upper Canada Drive
during winter months, but are still concerned regarding speeds on these sloped sections.
The upper section of Upper Canada Drive, in the area of Pioneer Park Public School,
and the lower section of Upper Canada Drive experience different traffic concerns.
As indicated by the residents, and confirmed by staff, traffic conditions on Upper Canada Drive
differ greatly between the upper section, in the area of Pioneer Park Public School, and the
lower section that accesses Pioneer Drive. The upper section of Upper Canada Drive is
challenged by the operations related to Pioneer Park Public School, while the lower section is
challenged by both vertical and horizontal curves in the roadway.
As a result, it was agreed to separate the final resident survey into two portions – the upper
section and lower section of Upper Canada Drive, separated at the mid-point of the roadway –
Farrier Drive.
Based on this input from the residents of Upper Canada Drive at this public meeting, the
preferred alternative was revised to include:
Upper Canada Drive – Upper Section (Doon Village Road to Farrier Drive)
Spring / summer / fall speed hump near #25 Upper Canada Drive*
Raised crosswalk in front of Pioneer Park Public School (near #60 Upper Canada Drive)
Speed hump near #76 Upper Canada Drive
Upper Canada Drive – Lower Section (Farrier Drive to Pioneer Drive)
Speed hump near #154 Upper Canada Drive
Speed hump near #176 Upper Canada Drive
Spring / summer / fall speed hump near #231 Upper Canada Drive*
*Spring / summer / speed hump refers to a rubber-formed speed hump, using the same
dimensions as our permanent speed hump, that is removed from the roadway during winter
months.
Final Resident Survey
A resident survey was mailed to residents on December 17, 2010, asking them to provide their
position on the proposed provision of traffic calming measures on Upper Canada Drive as
outlined above. While all residents were asked to vote on the proposed plans for both upper
and lower Upper Canada Drive, each section was assessed based on input from residents of
that section only.
The City of Kitchener Traffic Calming Policy dictates that a minimum of 50% of residents must
respond to the survey, with a minimum support of 60% required in order for staff to recommend
installation of the traffic calming measures. The results of the final resident survey are as
follows:
ì ó ì
Upper Canada Drive – Upper Section (Doon Village Road to Farrier Drive)
41 total properties
In favour - 16 (76% support)
Opposed - 5
Total - 21 (51% response rate)
Upper Canada Drive – Lower Section (Farrier Drive to Pioneer Drive)
total properties
47
In favour - 11 (50% support)
Opposed - 11
Total - 22 (45% response rate)
These survey results indicate that the upper section of Upper Canada Drive (Doon Village Road
to Farrier Drive) has met the policy requirements for the installation of traffic calming measures,
while the lower section of Upper Canada Drive (Farrier Place to Pioneer Drive) has not.
Agency / Emergency Response Feedback
The proposed traffic calming plan was forwarded to all emergency service agencies, as well as
other affected work areas, for their comment. The only input received was from the Fire
Department, as follows:
“Vertical deflection devices utilized for traffic calming measures have impacts on
emergency services. These devices will cause increases in Emergency
response time. The City of Kitchener conducted a station relocation study in
1992 in which it provided a solid deployment model and we were able to reduce
the number of fire stations to 7 (the model that would have occurred was 10
stations). This relocation study provided for large cost avoidance on an annual
basis and provided the city with a deployment model that allowed for a 4 to 5
minute travel time.
The addition of vertical deflection devices increases response times for
emergency services from 10 to 30 seconds per device. Add to that increase in
traffic congestion we are seeing responds times increase over the last 10 years
and we haven't moved the stations. This may have financial implications into the
future as we look at our response capabilities. Vertical deflection will only
compound the issue.
Further, vertical deflection devices have impacts on the vehicle maintenance
(increase twisting stress on the frame of the vehicle) and fire fighter safety (back,
neck and head injuries of passengers if the appropriate speed is not used to
traverse these humps). These have some financial implications to the city
budget.
ì ó ë
Although the Fire Department is fundamentally opposed to any vertical deflection
because of the impacts that it has on increasing our response times, we have
reviewed this proposal for Upper Canada Dr. Upper Canada Dr is not a primary
response route for the fire department as we depend on Pioneer Dr and Doon
Village Rd as our primary response routes for that area. We see vertical
having limited impact
deflection devices on our response times in the area and
confined to the adjacent streets running off of Upper Canada Dr. As part of your
communications to the area, the Fire Department would request that our
comment of "the addition of vertical deflection devices will have an impact on
emergency services response times to the area" be included to the residents.”
Based on resident support for traffic calming measures on the upper section of Upper Canada
Drive between Doon Village Road and Farrier Drive, along with input from the Fire Department,
it is recommended that one spring / summer / fall speed hump, one raised crosswalk and one
speed hump be installed on Upper Canada Drive.
Parking / Stopping Regulations
Through our contact with the residents while executing this traffic calming review, additional
concerns related to on-street parking and school drop offs / pick ups were identified.
Currently, parking is permitted on both sides of Upper Canada Drive for a maximum period of
three consecutive hours, with the exception of:
‘No Parking At Anytime’ on the west side of Upper Canada Drive between Doon Village
Road and a point 99 metres north therof
‘No Stopping At Anytime’ on the east (school) side of Upper Canada Dr along the entire
frontage of Pioneer Park Public School
‘No Stopping 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday’ on the west side (opposite school)
of Upper Canada Drive along the entire frontage of Pioneer Park Public School
As a result of these regulations, school drop offs and pick ups are executed on both sides of
Upper Canada Drive, outside of the school frontage area. During these times, two-way traffic
on Upper Canada Drive is severely compromised, as well as access by emergency service
vehicles. To address this, it is proposed to prohibit stopping during school hours on the west
side of Upper Canada Drive between the school and Farrier Drive. Accordingly, it is
recommended:
That stopping be prohibited between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to
Friday on the west side of Upper Canada Drive between a point 280 metres north of
Doon Village Road and Farrier Drive
Concerns were raised regarding safe operations at the intersection of Upper Canada Drive and
Doon Village Road. Regular parking and school drop offs and pick ups in this area create
unsafe entering and exiting conditions for traffic using this intersection. To address this, it is
recommended:
That stopping be prohibited at anytime on both sides of Upper Canada Drive between
Doon Village Road and a point 15 metres north thereof
ì ó ê
Additionally, concerns were raised regarding vehicles parking too close to the access to 25
Upper Canada Drive, reducing safe sight lines for vehicles exiting this access. To address this,
it is proposed to prohibit parking on both sides of this access to open up sight lines.
Accordingly, it is recommended:
That parking be prohibited at anytime on the east side of Upper Canada Drive from a
point 75 metres north of Doon Village Road to a point 45 metres north thereof
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendations of this report align with the City of Kitchener’s People Plan, supporting a
Culture of Safety and Wellbeing.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost to install one permanent speed hump, one raised crosswalk and one spring / summer /
fall speed hump will be approximately $30,000 and will be taken from the existing capital budget
account for traffic calming.
Additionally, removal and installation of the spring / summer / fall speed hump will cost
approximately $1,000 annually and will be taken from the same traffic calming account.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Residents of Upper Canada Drive have been involved in this traffic calming review through the
entire process. This includes confirmation with the residents to initiate the review, conducting
three (3) public meetings with the residents to gain input on the issues at hand, as well as to
receive feedback on proposed solutions. The traffic calming measures for Upper Canada Drive
are recommended in consideration of resident support for their implementation.
CONCLUSION:
Based on support from the local residents, it is recommended to install traffic calming measures
on the upper section of Upper Canada Drive. These measures will assist in creating safer
roadway operating conditions in the Pioneer Park Public School area.
Approximately one year after the implementation of the traffic calming measures on Upper
Canada Drive, a full-scale review, including a follow up resident survey, will be conducted to
ensure that these measures are having positive impacts on traffic conditions and to ensure that
the local residents still support their provision.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO
Infrastructure Services Department
KC
Attachments: Traffic Calming Plan
Parking / Stopping Regulations
ì ó é
Upper Canada Drive
Proposed Traffic Calming Measures
ONE SPRING / SUMMER / FALL SPEED HUMP
ONE RAISED CROSSWALK
ONE SPEED HUMP
Permanent
Speed Hump
Raised
Crosswalk
Spring/Summer/
Fall Speed
Hump
Example Raised Crosswalk Example Speed Hump
ì ó è
Upper Canada Drive
Proposed On-Street Parking / Stopping Regulations
Existing
No Stopping
8:00 am to
4:30 pm,
Existing
Mon - Fri
No Parking
ytime
An
*PROPOSED*
No Stopping
8:00 am to 4:30 pm,
Existing
Mon-Fri
No Stopping
*PROPOSED* Anytime
No Parking
Anytime
*PROPOSED*
No Stopping
Anytime
ì ó ç