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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-13-005 - Pedestrian Safety on Fairway Rd at Pebblecreek Dr and Sims Estate DrREPORT TO:Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: January 28, 2013 SUBMITTED BY: Ken Carmichael, Interim Director, Transportation Services (2372) PREPARED BY: Ronald Schirm, Supervisor of Crossing Guards (2232) WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 2 DATE OF REPORT: January 11, 2013 REPORT NO.: INS-13-005 SUBJECT: PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ON FAIRWAY ROAD AT PEBBLECREEK AND SIMS ESTATE DRIVES RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Region of Waterloo Traffic Services be requested to investigate pedestrian operations at the intersections of Fairway Road at Pebblecreek Drive, and Fairway Road at Sims Estate Drive; and further, That Transportation Services staff report to a future Community and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting on the response received from the Region of Waterloo. BACKGROUND: At the December 17, 2012 Council Meeting minutes Councillor Vrbanovic stated that the opening of the new bridge on Fairway Road increased the amount of traffic in that area; thereby adding to the pedestrian concerns previously identified along Fairway Road. He requested that staff report back in January 2013 with options to address those concerns, particularly where Fairway Road intersects both Pebblecreek Drive and Sims Estate Drive. As Fairway Road North falls under the jurisdiction of the Region of Waterloo they have been requested to review the intersections of Fairway Road and Pebblecreek Drive and Fairway Road and Sims Estate Drive in terms of general pedestrian safety. This report will primarily focus on school pedestrian safety and the crossing guard installation on Fairway Road and Pebblecreek Drive. REPORT: Fairway Road North is a two lane arterial roadway under the jurisdiction of the Region of Waterloo in Ward 2. The roadway expands to four lanes from approximately 300 metres south of Pebblecreek Drive up to and including the Fairway Road extension and bridge across the Grand River. The Fairway Road extension was completed in November 2012. Prior to the opening of the extension Fairway Road was closed north of Pebblecreek Drive for approximately 2 years to allow for construction. Pope John Paul II Separate School, located on Pebblecreek Drive, opened in September 2010. The catchment area of the school includes the Sims Estate Subdivision east of Fairway Road as é ó ï well as the subdivision southwest of the intersection of Lackner Boulevard and Fairway Road. Crossing Guards were installed at Fairway Road and Lackner Boulevard, Fairway Road at Pebblecreek Drive and Pebblecreek Drive at Venturin Street to address school pedestrian issues. Traffic signals were also installed at Fairway Road and Lackner Boulevard in 2011. Pope John Paul II Separate School begins class at 8:30 a.m. and dismisses at 3:00 pm. Crossing Guards are on duty from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day the school is open. Studies conducted the week of January 7, 2013 indicate that 55 students cross with the crossing guard on Fairway Road at Pebblecreek Drive after school. 31 students utilize the facility in the morning. The crossing guard location on Fairway Road at Pebblecreek Drive uses the south leg of the intersection to cross students. This is to increase the visibility distances looking northward. The driver stopping sight distance for southbound traffic is in excess of 120 metres. The driver stopping sight distance for northbound traffic is in excess of 500 metres. The minimum driver stopping sight distance at the posted speed limit of 60 km/h is approximately 90 metres. Therefore driver stopping sight distances are adequate. When studies were conducted staff observed that there were adequate opportunities at regular intervals for the crossing guard to stop traffic safely in order to cross students. Transportation Services staff have been monitoring operations at the crossing guard facility on Fairway Road at Pebblecreek Drive regularly since the completion of the Fairway Road extension. The Crossing Guard has been provided with an upgraded stop paddle that features an LED flashing light to enhance his presence on the road. His position on the roadway has also been adjusted to maximize visibility for traffic in both directions. At this point in time it is felt by staff that this facility operates safely. Traffic volumes will increase in this area over time and staff will continue to monitor the facility and adjust to changing traffic patterns and increased traffic volumes in a timely manner. There is no current applicable traffic volume data available as the Region of Waterloo has not conducted any studies since the opening of the Fairway Road extension. The Region will be conducting traffic studies at the intersection of Pebblecreek Drive and Fairway Road in the spring of 2013 to determine if a traffic signal is warranted at this location. There is no school pedestrian activity at the intersection of Sims Estate Drive and Fairway Road North. The Region last captured vehicular and pedestrian volume at this intersection in April 2011 with the following result respective to a traffic control signal warrant: Minimum Volume Warrant 73% Delay to Cross Traffic Warrant 79% Combination Warrant No Collision Warrant 27% Based on this data a traffic control signal is not warranted at this location. In order for a traffic control signal to be warranted one of the factors must be at 100% or two or more factors must meet or exceed the 80% threshold. There have been significant changes to this area since the last studies however, including the aforementioned Fairway Road extension as well as continued development in the Sims Estate area, both of which will have significant impacts on traffic at this location. The Region will be conducting studies to determine if a traffic signal is now warranted at this location in March 2013. é ó î 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: There are no financial implications. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Staff has consulted with staff from Pope John Paul II Separate School throughout this process. CONCLUSION: The crossing guard facility on Fairway Road at Pebblecreek Drive operates effectively and safely. Staff will continue to monitor conditions and will respond to results of studies to be conducted by Regional Staff in the spring of 2013 at both Fairway Road at Sims Estate Drive and Fairway Road at Pebblecreek Drive. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jim Witmer, Interim Deputy CAO Infrastructure Services Department é ó í INS-13-005 Fairway Road at Pebblecreek and Sims Estate Drives Including the catchment area for Pope John Paul II Separate School Pope John Paul II Separate School Crossing Guard Locations Sims Estate Drive é ó ì