HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-12-049 - Howard Robertson School Crossing Guard Services.pdREPORT TO:Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
June 18, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: John McBride, Director, Transportation Services (2374)
PREPARED BY:
Ronald Schirm, Supervisor of Crossing Guards (2232)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 2
DATE OF REPORT: May 30, 2012
REPORT NO.:
INS-12-049
SUBJECT:
HOWARD ROBERTSON SCHOOL ADULT CROSSING
GUARD CHANGES SEPTEMBER 2012
RECOMMENDATION:
This Report is for information purposes only.
BACKGROUND:
Howard Robertson Public School is located on Morgan Avenue near Fairway Road in Ward
Two. At this time the adult crossing guard facilities serving the school are located on Morgan
Avenue midblock at the school as well as at the intersections of Fairway Road at River Road
and Fairway Road at Jansen Avenue. The location on Fairway Road at Jansen Avenue features
2 adult crossing guards crossing approximately 200 students across the 4-lanes of Fairway
Road daily. This is one of only two locations in the City that features 2 adult crossing guards, the
other being the intersection of Block Line Road and Homer Watson Boulevard.
This intersection features a stop control on Jansen Avenue only, with no controls on Fairway
Road. Fairway Road is an arterial roadway carrying higher speed, higher volume traffic that is
typical of a roadway of this classification. Traffic volumes are expected to increase when the
Fairway Road extension and bridge across the Grand River are completed later in 2012.
REPORT:
A review of the adult crossing guard location at Fairway Road and Jansen Avenue was
undertaken as a result of safety issues identified by the incumbent crossing guards. The
conclusion of the review is that a relocation of the facility to the signalized intersection of
Morgan Avenue at Fairway Road would be prudent at this time.
Relocating the facility would improve usability for students and the crossing guard in that the
traffic signals would provide a controlled crossing point. Only one crossing guard would be
required to provide the service at this location. The new route to school is 100 metres, or 90
seconds of walking, further than the present route. There are sidewalks on Fairway Road and
Morgan Avenue along the entire new route.
In order to expedite this move a number of issues need to be addressed. At this point in time
students crossing Fairway Road from Jansen Avenue access the school grounds through an
opening in the fence on Fairway Road just south of the crossing. This would need to be closed
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to eliminate any temptation by students to cross Fairway Road at Jansen Avenue. The fence
runs along the entire school frontage on Fairway Road. By closing the opening in the fence the
school will not be accessible from Fairway Road. The Waterloo District School Board (WDSB)
has agreed to close this access permanently. Secondly, there will be a significant increase in
the number of students accessing the school via the entrance on Morgan Avenue, which is
beside the driveway entrance. In order to address this, the WDSB will make improvements to
the pedestrian access to the school from this point, by constructing a fence between the
sidewalk and driveway access. The existing sidewalk will be extended to the school entrance.
This will provide better separation between pedestrians and vehicular traffic accessing the
school. Further, the school will provide either adult or student assistance across the driveway
access.
The WDSB is able to make these changes as part of work already planned for the school site
this summer. All changes are scheduled to be in place prior to the opening of school in
September 2012.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
This endeavour is in alignment with many elements of the Strategic Plan, including being
Community Minded, in providing and improving a service that “enhances the quality, safety,
security, health and welfare of the community and citizens we serve.”
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
In that at present two adult crossing guards serve the present location on Fairway Road and
only one adult crossing guard will be needed at the new location, there will be a savings of
approximately $2300 by the elimination of one adult crossing guard position for the remainder of
the 2012 Operating Budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The school community, Howard Robertson School staff, WDSB officials from Facilities
Management and Planning, as well as School Transportation Services of Waterloo Region
(STSWR) were all identified as stakeholders and consulted. The school community was
consulted through a public meeting, attended primarily by members of the parent council. A
letter has been sent to the school population from Transportation Services via the school
outlining the changes. Further, an insert will be included in the school route map distributed in
August to all students. Transportation Services also intends to provide an adult crossing guard
for the first week of school at Fairway Road and Jansen Avenue directing walkers to the new
crossing location at Morgan Avenue.
Staff from Transportation Services met numerous times with staff from WDSB, STSWR and the
school to discuss options and responsibilities. All stakeholders were in agreement with the plan
and able to provide necessary assistance.
CONCLUSION:
The change in location of the adult crossing guard facility on Fairway Road from Jansen Avenue
to Morgan Avenue will provide controlled crossing to the many students and parents who use
this facility. The effective, ongoing partnership with the WDSB and its schools was instrumental
in creating the conditions in order to make the necessary changes to accommodate this change
effectively.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services
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INS-12-049
Howard Robertson School Crossing Guard
Changes for September 2012.
P A C
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UARDLOCATION
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CCESSTOSCHOOL
TOBECLOSED
A C G
DULTROSSINGUARD
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LOCATIONFOREPTEMBER
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OWARDOBERTSON
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UBLICCHOOL
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