HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-13-006 - Siebert Ave-Woodhaven Rd-Harber Ave - Traffic Calming Review
REPORT TO:
Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
February 25, 2013
SUBMITTED BY:
Ken Carmichael, Interim Director of Transportation Services
PREPARED BY: Justin Mishko, Traffic Technologist, extension 7153
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 3
DATE OF REPORT:
January 14, 2013
REPORT NO.:
INS-13-006
SIEBERT AVENUE / WOODHAVEN ROAD / HARBER
SUBJECT:
AVENUE NEIGHBOURHOOD - TRAFFIC CALMING REVIEW
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That one speed hump and one raised crosswalk be installed on Siebert Avenue between
Harber Avenue and Clark Avenue; and,
That one speed hump and one road narrowing be installed on Woodhaven Road between
Wilson Avenue and Reyburn Avenue; and,
That one speed hump be installed on Harber Avenue between Clark Avenue and Byron
Avenue; and further,
That curve warning signs and a centreline be installed on Harber Avenue through the
curve located between Broadmoor Avenue and Byron Avenue.
BACKGROUND:
Traffic volume and speeding are significant safety related issues frequently raised by residents
of affected neighbourhoods in the City of Kitchener. In response to these issues, Kitchener City
Council adopted a Traffic Calming Policy in 2004 and established an annual budget to address
traffic management issues in residential neighbourhoods. The traffic calming 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 and/or communities that are
most in need of traffic calming from a traffic safety perspective.
In May 2011, Council approved INS Report 11-013, “Traffic Calming Priority - 2011”, which
recommended that a traffic calming review be conducted for several streets in the City of
Kitchener including the Siebert Avenue, Woodhaven Road, Harber Avenue area. This
recommendation is further substantiated in Council approved INS Report 11-040, “Clark Avenue
– Traffic Calming Follow Up”, which stated that, “The impacts of Clark Avenue's traffic calming
8 - 1
measures on adjacent roadways have identified an overall concern. As a result, the area
encompassing Siebert Avenue, Woodhaven Road and Harber Avenue will be recommended for
a formal traffic calming review proposal, to be initiated in 2011.”
In response, Transportation Services staff have reviewed the existing traffic conditions on
Siebert Avenue, Woodhaven Road and Harber Avenue and in August 2011, a neighbourhood
traffic calming review was initiated with the intent to reduce vehicle speeds, deter non-
residential traffic from the area and reduce the incidence of collisions, thereby increasing safety
for all users within the right of way.
REPORT:
A total of 330 surveys were mailed to affected area residents in August 2011 in order to
determine if there was sufficient neighbourhood support to commence the traffic calming review.
Out of the 158 responses received, 103 (65%) were in favour of initiating a traffic calming
review, while 55 (35%) were against initiating a traffic calming review. Subsequently, two public
meetings were held in March and June of 2012 to discuss the traffic calming review process
along with the current traffic conditions, alternative design options as well as the advantages
and disadvantages of each design alternative and present the preferred design alternative
option as determined by the traffic calming steering committee.
In October 2012, Transportation Services staff mailed a final survey to all affected area
residents and property owners within the Siebert Avenue, Woodhaven Road, Harber Avenue
neighbourhood. This survey asked all residents and property owners if they were in favour of
the recommended traffic calming plan. The intent of the survey was to determine if there was
sufficient support for the implementation of the recommended traffic calming measures. As per
the City of Kitchener Traffic Calming policy, a minimum of 50% of directly affected residents /
property owners must respond to the survey and 60% of the respondents must support the
recommended plan, in order for there to be any further consideration of the plan.
There were a total of 330 properties surveyed within the boundaries of the study area. The
results of this survey are as follows:
In favour of the recommended plan: 81
(67.5%)
Opposed to the recommended plan: 39
(32.5%)
Total 120 responded out of 330 (36.4%)
Based on the results above, the Siebert Avenue, Woodhaven Road, Harber Avenue
neighbourhood traffic calming review did not meet the required minimum community support as
outlined in the City of Kitchener Traffic Calming policy. It should be noted that the majority of
residents within the study area do not live on one of the three roadways of which traffic calming
measures are proposed. Of the 330 surveys sent out to all affected area residents and property
owners within the Siebert Avenue, Woodhaven Road, Harber Avenue neighbourhood, the
following shows the number of responses received from residents and property owners that
abut or are adjacent to one of the three roadways proposed for traffic calming measures:
In favour of the recommended plan: 55
(73.3%)
Opposed to the recommended plan: 20
(26.7%)
Total 75 responded out of 141 (53.2%)
8 - 2
Based on the majority of support provided by the residents living on the three directly affected
roadways, it is recommended that the preferred traffic calming plan be implemented. This plan
includes: one speed hump and one raised crosswalk on Siebert Avenue; one speed hump and
one road narrowing on Woodhaven Road, as well as; one speed hump on Harber Avenue to
reduce vehicle operating speeds. In addition to the speed hump on Harber Avenue, a centreline
through the curve along with curve warning signs for both approaches will be installed.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost to install the recommended traffic calming measures is approximately $50,000. This
cost will be taken from the existing traffic calming budget.
COMMUNICATIONS:
This project has had extensive public involvement and communication. It has included two
public information centres, two information packages and three surveys including the final
survey.
Attach.
Preferred Traffic Calming Option
Jim Witmer, Interim Deputy CAO
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Infrastructure Services Department
8 - 3
Alternative 1 - Preferred Traffic Calming Option
One speed hump and one raised crosswalk on Siebert Avenue; one speed hump and one road
narrowing on Woodhaven Road, as well as; one speed hump on Harber Avenue to reduce vehicle
operating speeds. In addition to the speed hump on Harber Avenue, a centreline through the
curve along with curve warning signs for both approaches will be installed.
8 - 4