HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-11-033 - Indian Road School Bus Loading Zone1
KITCx~i~~R
Staff Report
~nfrastrurture Services Department
~w.k~~~~~r~erca
REPORT T0: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: August 15, 2011
SUBMITTED BY: John McBride, Director, Transportation Planning, 2374
PREPARED BY: Ronald K. Schirm, Supervisor, Crossing Guards, 2232
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 1
DATE OF REPORT: July 21, 2011
REPORT NO.: INS-11-033
SUBJECT: INDIAN ROAD -SCHOOL BUS LOADING ZONE
RECOMMENDATION:
That a School Bus Loading be established on the east side of Indian Road from a point 177
metres north of McGee Avenue to a point 26 metres north thereof; and further,
That the Uniform Traffic Bylaw be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
Grand River Collegiate Institute is a secondary school serving grade 9 - 12 students in Ward 1.
The school fronts on Heritage Drive and Indian Road. At this time there are 2 school busses that
serve the school daily and this level of service is expected to remain for the foreseeable future.
The school busses stop in the school bus loading zone on Heritage Drive just east of Indian
Road. During the traffic calming process on Heritage Drive (DTS report 08-188) a request was
made by residents to move the school bus loading activities to Indian Road.
REPORT:
Grand River Collegiate Institute is located at 175 Indian Road and is bounded by Heritage Drive
as well as Indian Road. School busses have been using Heritage Drive to load and unload
students.
During public meetings as a part of the traffic calming process for Heritage Drive, residents
identified issues regarding the impact of the school bus operations on Heritage Drive on traffic
and pedestrian safety. The intersection also features a great deal of pedestrian activity across
all 3 legs of the intersection at the times the busses are in the area which impedes visibility vis a
vis motorists and pedestrians. Vehicles in the vicinity are also hindered by the presence of the
school busses at the present location. Moving the school busses away from this intersection
would improve pedestrian and vehicular safety in the area.
Meeting with school officials on site it was determined that the most suitable location of school
bus activities is on the east side of Indian Road south of the front entrance of the school. There
is not a great deal of school related parking and stopping in this area as parents are able to
drive onto the school site via the Indian Road entrance for loadinglunloading students.
io-i
1
Staff Re ort
p
Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta
There are no parking anytime signs on Indian Road along the school frontage. These signs will
be changed to no stopping anytime as per the general provisions of the Uniform Traffic Bylaw.
This will assist in improving safer school bus operation and pedestrian movements in the area.
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. Grand River
Collegiate Institute 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 Indian Road opposite the proposed school bus loading zone were notified
via letter as to the location and accompanying stopping restrictions opposite their homes,
subject to the approval of this report. Staff did not receive any negative comments from the
contacted residents.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO
Infrastructure Services Department
io-2
1
Staff Re ort
p
Krr~:~~ivER ~nfrastru~tureServrces Department
~w.ki~l~~~ner.~~r
~I
~~ '
T~~us~~~h F~~k;
~~'
;.
~~ `~
-~ .e~
°E ~~,
o; ~ ~ y
~ ~~ ~ ~
.~ ~~
~ ~~' ~ ~ ~5
'~ 4aran~ Riuerlle~iate Institute
~ ~ ~ . o~
I5~ $ ~ ~ }~
.•
,~ ~ ~ ~ ~.
;~
~ .
~" ,
*~ ~ ~,.:.
I ~ ~_
~, ~w
~ ~~ ~~ ~~
.~ ~ ~
~°
~ ~ ~
+'' ~ ~ ~
`c~
_~ -~
10-3