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Home My WebLink AboutINS-13-014 - Traffic Calming Priorities for 2013 REPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: February 25, 2013 SUBMITTED BY: Ken Carmichael, Interim Director of Transportation Services PREPARED BY: Barry Cronkite, Transportation Planning Project Manager (519-741-2200 x. 7738) WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards DATE OF REPORT: January 31, 2013 REPORT NO.: INS-13-014 SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CALMING PRIORITY - 2013 RECOMMENDATIONS: That traffic calming reviews be initiated in 2013 for the following streets: Heiman Street – Highland Road to Mill Street Pioneer Drive – Doon Village Road to Homer Watson Boulevard Franklin Street North – Weber Street to Ottawa Street North Trussler Road – Highland Road to Highview Drive BACKGROUND: The existing City of Kitchener traffic calming policy and annual traffic calming budget was adopted by Council in August 2004 (DTS 04-125). The traffic calming policy outlines a number of evaluation criteria that provide a fair and consistent review of streets while defining and prioritizing the individual streets that are most in need of traffic calming, from a traffic safety perspective. Through budget deliberations, the budget for traffic calming for 2013 has been approved to support the provision of traffic calming measures for four traffic calming reviews. REPORT: The intent of traffic calming is 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. The types of traffic calming measures chosen depend on the issues being addressed and the function of the road. Transportation Services manages a traffic calming priority list. This list includes all streets requested for traffic calming, by way of Council or the general public, that have been received to date. These streets are reviewed on an annual basis as per the approved Traffic Calming Policy, with respect to speed, volumes, collisions and safety factors. Attached is the current 11 - 1 traffic calming priority list for local, minor collector and major collector/secondary arterial roadways (Appendix “A”). 2012 TRAFFIC CALMING REVIEWS The following is a summary of traffic calming reviews that were initiated in 2012: Glasgow Street – Belmont Avenue to Fischer Hallman Road Morrison Road – King Street East to Sims Estate Drive Guelph Street - Weber Street to Lancaster Street Neighbourhood bound by Wilson Avenue, Franklin Street South, Traynor Avenue and Connaught Avenue (Kingsdale neighbourhood) These reviews should be completed by summer 2013 with the exception of the Kingsdale neighbourhood review, which should be completed in the fall of 2013. Any approved traffic calming measures for both Glasgow Street and Guelph Street will be implemented during their reconstruction schedule to limit neighbourhood disruption and maximize potential cost savings. Glasgow Street is scheduled for reconstruction in 2013 (Westmount Road to Belmont Avenue) and 2014 (Knell Drive to Westmount Road), while Guelph Street is scheduled for reconstruction in 2015 (Ellis Avenue to Margaret Avenue) and 2018 (Margaret Avenue and St. Vincent Street). If approved, traffic calming measures will be implemented on Morrison Road in 2013 and/or 2014 and in the Kingsdale neighbourhood during the 2014 construction season. It should be noted that all roadways are reviewed approximately one (1) year after the implementation of traffic calming measures. These reviews ensure that the measures are addressing the traffic concerns raised and that local residents still support their provision. It should also be noted that since these studies have been initiated, all traffic calming initiatives reviewed have been supported by their respective neighbourhoods. UNWARRANTED ROADWAYS While Transportation Services receives numerous requests on an annual basis for traffic calming, not all roadways that are reviewed warrant consideration for such measures. Therefore, in order to concentrate on those roadways that do potentially warrant traffic calming, any streets that have received fewer than 30 points have been currently removed from consideration for the traffic calming priority rating. There are three main categories within the priority rating system for traffic calming warrants; collisions, volumes and speed; each category being worth a maximum of 20 points. The 30 point cut-off was determined by taking the median of all three of the major categories. While typically this would not indicate a major cause for concern, it does provide for a good platform to clearly define roadways that may have a significant traffic issue and do warrant consideration for traffic calming at some point in the future. Staff will continue to monitor speeds, volumes and collisions on both warranted and unwarranted streets, as any change in traffic conditions could cause a change in priority ranking. Additionally, if a roadway is scheduled for reconstruction, consideration will be given in advance of the reconstruction for a review of traffic calming. 11 - 2 PROPOSED TRAFFIC CALMING REVIEWS - 2013 Local Roadways There are a total of 24 local roadways that currently meet the City’s eligibility for a traffic calming review. The roadways are at or above the 30 point cut-off criteria for a review as determined by the traffic calming priority listing. This is up from 15 that qualified for traffic calming reviews in 2012. The following locations are recommended for a traffic calming review: Heiman Street Heiman Street is first on the priority ranking for local roadways with 41 points. Studies conducted showed concerns with speeding and volume, both of which can be targeted through the traffic calming review. Heiman Street, while a local, residential roadway, is used as a link between Highland Road and Mill Street. Refer to Appendix B for a plan which shows Heiman Street, and the surrounding neighbourhood. Trussler Road – Highland Road to Highview Drive The area of Trussler Road recommended for review is a “remnant” local roadway that resulted from the development of Ira Needles Boulevard. While this section of Trussler Road is now a local roadway, a number of users still choose to use this section of roadway as opposed to Ira Needles Boulevard. Trussler Road is fourth on the priority ranking amongst local roadways with 36 points. The primary concern identified is speeding (Trussler Road has the highest recorded rate of speed for all local roadways). Numerous concerns have also been received regarding heavy truck traffic. As Trussler Road is a boundary roadway between the City of Kitchener and the Township of Wilmot, staff will work closely with the Township to ensure all needs are met and satisfied. Because the Township of Wilmot does not typically review streets for traffic calming, and have no budget for such projects, it is assumed all costs for this review will be the responsibility of the City of Kitchener. The Township of Wilmot has been advised of our recommendation to conduct a traffic calming review for Trussler Road and support the recommendation. Refer to Appendix C for a plan which shows Trussler Road and the surrounding neighbourhood. It should be noted that Bridlewreath Street ranks second on the priority ranking. Upon review of the conditions, it was determined that the primary factor leading to the ranking for Bridlewreath Street is collision history. Upon further review of the collision history, it was clear that the primary issue is vehicles colliding with parked cars under low speed conditions and therefore not correctable by traffic calming. Minor Collector Roadways There are a total of three minor collector roadways that meet the City’s eligibility for a traffic calming review (roadways that are at or above the 30 point cut-off criteria). There are no minor collector roadways recommended for review at this time. 11 - 3 It is noted that Alpine Road is ranked first on the list of minor collector roadways. This location is not recommended for a review at this time due to its primary function being to access area commercial and industrial uses, with limited residential frontage. Staff would prefer to direct traffic calming resources to a review on a residential roadway that will render a more positive impact on a local residential neighbourhood. Transportation Services will continue to monitor traffic conditions on Alpine Road, and will review the roadway for alternative solutions to traffic calming (ie. signing, pavement markings, police enforcement etc.) to address traffic concerns. Major Collector Roadways There are 18 major collector/secondary arterial roadways that meet the City’s eligibility for a traffic calming review. While a number of major collector roadways score high point totals on the priority listing, it should be noted that major collector roadways are designed and intended to handle larger volumes of traffic. These high point totals are influenced by the higher traffic volumes that these types of roadways carry. Additionally, major collector roadways are main emergency response routes – therefore vertical deflections (speed humps, raised crosswalks, etc) are typically not permitted on these roadways. That being said, most major collector roadways are primarily residential in nature, and can benefit from traffic calming. The following locations are recommended for traffic calming review in 2013: Pioneer Drive from Homer Watson Boulevard to Doon Village Road Pioneer Drive is second on the priority ranking for major collector/secondary roadways with 44 points. Studies conducted demonstrate concerns regarding speeding, volume and collisions. Pioneer Drive provides access to single family and multi tenant facilities, as well as Biehn Park, Southwest Optimist sportsfields and the Pioneer Park Community Centre. As a result, Pioneer Drive will benefit greatly from potential traffic calming initiatives. Refer to Appendix D for a plan which shows Pioneer Drive and the surrounding neighbourhood. Franklin Street North from Weber Street to Ottawa Street Franklin Street North from Weber Street to Ottawa Street is fourth on the priority ranking for major collector/secondary arterial roadways with 40 points. Studies conducted showed concerns with speeding and volume, both of which can be targeted through the traffic calming review. Franklin Street North is primarily residential, and traffic concerns/requests for traffic calming are received regularly from the community. This review will address those concerns. Refer to Appendix E for a plan which shows Franklin Street North, and the surrounding neighbourhood. Mill Street between Stirling Avenue and Queen’s Boulevard was reconstructed in 2012. Due to Mill Street’s designation as a secondary arterial roadway, along with its narrow 7.0 metre roadway width, a traffic calming review for this section of Mill Street was not recommended due to the extreme limitability of installing traffic calming measures. West Avenue is ranked third on the priority ranking for major collector/secondary arterial roadways with 42 points. However, because this was the first year that West Avenue was 11 - 4 analysed for a potential traffic calming review, we are not recommending a review at this time, as we would like to conduct further studies to confirm the traffic conditions and the roadway’s position on our priority ranking. REVIEW OF THE CURRENT TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY The current Traffic Calming Policy was approved by Council in 2004. At that time, the policy was created to formalize a methodology whereby traffic calming could be requested and streets and neighbourhoods could be reviewed on an equal and unbiased basis. The process with which to administer traffic calming was new to the City of Kitchener, and to most municipal transportation services across Ontario. Since that time, while typical traffic calming measures used have remained consistent throughout the industry, the methodology and process with which traffic calming is administered has evolved, as more and more Municipalities formalize the traffic calming process. While the traffic calming policy still functions the way that it was intended, given the experience that Transportation Services has now gained in traffic calming and policy administration, it is our intent to review the policy. Transportation Services is not anticipating a significant departure from current practices, but rather explore areas that can be enhanced through the process, thereby creating efficiencies where possible. It is anticipated that the policy will be updated, and presented to Council in the fall of 2013 for approval, with the intent to begin use of the updated policy in 2014 to determine priorities. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: This initiative falls under the Community Priority of Quality of Life. “Work with partners, including all orders of government, to create a culture of safety in our community.” FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The $200,000 budget approved for traffic calming will be applied directly to installing measures for the recommended reviews. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Residents/businesses in the neighbourhood are involved with the traffic calming process by way of public meetings and resident surveys. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jim Witmer, interim Deputy CAO Infrastructure Services Department Attach: Appendix A - Traffic calming priority listing Appendices B through E - Proposed traffic calming locations 11 - 5 Appendix A – Traffic Calming Priority List Local Roadways (< 2,000 AADT) Recorded 85% Total Points RankStreetPointsVolumePointsColl. per km PointsSidewalksPedestriansEmergency Services Speed 1Heiman St (Mill St to Highland St)60102,0331010.81105541 2Bridlewreath St (Activa & Max Becker)5441,341732.620001041 3Trussler Rd (Highland Rd & Ira Needles)64141,59881.11301036 4Karn St (Westmount Rd & Belmont Ave)5771,30578.59121035 5Flint Drive4001,336715.415021034 6Hidden Valley Road (Near #996)651540521.11501033 7Schweitzer Street5991,17063.03501033 8Hoffman St (Highland Rd & Ottawa St)5221,812913.61403533 9Patricia Avenue (Highland-Victoria)5662,103116.16001033 10Claremont Avenue511250120.020001032 11Lakeside Drive5661,52682.53151032 12Oprington Dr5221,732911.111001032 13Huber Street 5111,035512.012201030 14Aberdeen Road5331,23968.99201030 15Dumfries Ave (Stirling & Krug)55584347.88031030 16Floral Crescent5111,30872.32551030 17Rennie Drive511820414.715001030 18Mt Hope St (Park St to King St)430643310.511241030 19Misty Street5221,308716.21600530 20Holborn Drive5551,76198.8902530 21Market Street (Bridgeport)35018418.79551030 22Indian Road4801,30878.18051030 23Blackhorne Drive5551,47475.15021030 24Duke Street (Wellington to Waterloo) 420432212.312321030 25Arrowhead Crescent310309210.711521029 26Pioneer Tower Road (Marquette to Pioneer Ridge)60101,51481.5250529 27Waterloo Street 500837414.715001029 28Hickson Dr (Ottawa to River)55591957.17021029 29Isaiah Drive5001,065319.01902529 30Lorne Avenue480643315.41505529 31Dunbar Rd480589312.613031029 32Mt Hope St (Park St to Eden Ave)44041729.49431028 33Fifth Ave (Wilson - Kingsway)56669646.77021028 34Mooregate Cres400696410.511131028 35Jansen Ave (Huber St & Fairway Rd N)490531310.410221027 36Mansion St (Edna St to Lancaster)49089758.69221027 37Prospect Ave (Franklin St & Wilfred Ave)53374046.36221027 38Doon Village Road (Tilt-Doon South)53393554.24501027 39Gatewood Road611154230.00031027 40Benesfort Drive 430767412.813001027 11 - 6 Recorded 85% Total Points RankStreetPointsVolumePointsColl. per km PointsSidewalksPedestriansEmergency Services Speed 41Green Valley Dr (Mill Park Dr & Mill Park Dr)4701,44078.8905526 42Royal Orchard Drive 5441,17963.74021026 43Blueridge Avenue5111,23065.45031026 44Isaiah Dr4901,32279.81002725 45Ross Ave56683042.12031025 46Sherwood Ave (Rosemont St & Becker St)55561633.7405825 47Woodsmere Drive 56614814.55301024 48Shanley St4901,28567.88001024 49Turner Ave (Victoria to Frederick)48061433.84521024 50Amherst Drive49029923.33531023 51Penelope Dr (Cora to Ira Needles)51183847.47001023 52Dunbar Rd (Glasgow to Union)480589311.41103522 53Stirling Ave (East to Weber)48056632.12251022 54Periwinkle Street420269110.310001022 55Ressurection Dr51174943.74031021 56Lucerne Drive46032529.81005521 57Rusholme Road 48083447.17001021 58Blucher Street54455832.52201021 59Veronica Drive 49088644.75021021 60South Drive 54429222.63301021 61Gibson Dr (River Rd & Montcalm Dr)5001,10665.66001021 62Chapel Hill Dr (Stafford Ln to Caryndale Dr)51126011.72521021 63Pine Valley Drive5111,08952.42021021 64Rockway Drive50055637.9850521 65Old Chicopee Trail54445721.31301021 66Prosperity Drive5001,60582.52001021 67Hickory Heights Cres50056832.63051020 68Lyndhurst Drive53394052.63001020 69Halliwell Drive59977642.2200520 70York Street (Glasgow to Union) 470650311.61200520 71Melrose Ave006.77031020 72Southill Drive 50033024.95031020 73Helena Feaseby St51194150.00031019 74Ridgemere St49057233.84021019 75Ahrens Street West (Victoria to Hartwood) 51143425.25001018 76Shantz Lane49025210.00521018 77Woolwich Street (Bridge to City Limit) 5002,252113.8430018 78Breckenridge Drive48090153.54001018 79Pinedale Drive50061134.95001018 80Scenic Dr44024915.76011018 81Adelaide Street46036925.96001018 82Midland Drive49058934.2405517 83Brock St (Queen St & West Ave)43030124.95001016 84Hidden Creek Dr46051933.74001016 85Theresa St40024210.00231016 86Sydney St N005.96001016 87Everglade Cres35020814.85001016 88Ruskview Road 49057232.93001016 89Riehm St37018514.85001016 90Golden Meadow Cres36010710.00501016 11 - 7 Minor Collector Roadways (2,000 - 8,000 AADT) Total Recorded Collisions Emergency RankStreetPointsVolumePointsPointsSidewalksPedestrians Points 85% Speedper km Services 38 1Alpine Road64142,83176.87208 2Fallowfield Drive 5553,45497.88031034 30 3Zeller Dr (Wild Meadow - Brookmead)5772,41065.76335 28 4Sims Estate Drive5772,04556.06055 28 5Caryndale Dr5992,31863.84045 27 6Apple Ridge Drive 5442,780711.211005 26 7Manchester Road5992,16854.55025 26 8Carson Drive4901,049318.218005 26 9Keewatin Avenue5553,76096.26050 26 10Oldfield Drive5662,14354.24325 25 11Autumn Ridge Trail62121,61740.81305 23 12Grand River Boulevard (Morrison to River)5992,01854.24005 23 13Daimler Drive5881,67945.96005 23 14Dumfries Ave (Stirling & Krug)5441,95554.04055 23 15Driftwood Drive5771,44844.14305 21 16Yellowbirch Drive4901,32238.18055 21 17Borden Avenue North5002,30565.66055 21 18Blackwell Drive5333,02632.530310 21 19Erinbrook Drive522904211.612005 21 20Westwood Drive 5551,86853.03035 20 21Hawkswood Drive61111,16931.51005 20 22Grand River Boulevard (Morrison to Morrison)5661,83459.39000 19 23Conway Drive5661,38034.95005 19 24Stoke Drive5111,36834.850010 19 25Westmeadow Dr4701,29534.850110 19 26Falconridge Drive 5221,23236.77025 19 27Cherry Street54495322.42055 19 28Templewood Drive 5551,48642.02035 19 29Windrush Trail5663,02080.00005 18 30Wilderness Drive5111,16337.17025 18 31Montcalm Drive45046015.66335 16 32Briarmeadow Drive 5441,38733.33005 14 33Resurrection Drive51174126.46005 11 34Old Zeller Drive5111,60841.11005 11 35Marl Meadow Drive49063624.44005 10 36Donnenwerth Dr (Bridlewreath & Bleams)4901,14931.62005 9 37St. Leger (Victoria St to Guelph St)52250810.61005 11 - 8 Major Collector Roadways (8,000 - 12,000 AADT) Total Recorded Collisions Emergency RankStreetPointsVolumePointsPointsSidewalksPedestrians Points 85% Speedper km Services 1Mill St60107,9061317.71833552 2Pioneer Drive(H.W. to Doon Village)62127,4871214.61505044 3West Avenue 5884,450713.814031042 4Franklin Street North5998,9671511.11105040 5Doon Village Road (H.W. to Anvil) 59911,226198.3803039 6Westheights Drive (Driftwood E Leg - Autumn Hill W Leg)5886,8261113.51305139 7Doon Mills Drive66167,058127.8802038 8Max Becker Drive5555,643911.01105535 9Westforest Tl (Highland-Victoria)60104,28379.61003535 10Park Street (Dominion to Jubilee)5337,2761213.81405034 11Activa Ave (F-H to David Bergey)5443,583614.61505434 12Westheights Drive60104,376710.91104133 13McGarry Dr5555,6911013.31303233 14Strange Street5334,70685.86051032 15Glasgow (Highland to Westhill/Ira Needles)69191,03522.7352131 16Lancaster Street East (Victoria St to Weber St)5447,1701210.21005031 17Krug Street61114,643811.61200030 18David Bergey Drive62125,39095.7603030 19Old Chicopee Drive61113,29056.9701529 20Doon South Drive63133,85566.5603029 21Rittenhouse Road5773,53264.3405628 22Activa Ave (David B to Lemonbalm/Max B)5332,368416.01605028 23Pioneer Tower Rd (Marquette to King)60101,51430.91311027 24Stirling Ave S (HWB & Highland Rd)5551,406233.82000027 25Jubilee Drive (Scenic)3605,11093.8455527 26Guelph St (Lancaster / Riverbend)61111,56735.1530325 27Margaret Avenue (Queen to Victoria) 5002,503414.31405023 28Robert Ferrie Drive5771,68437.9805023 29East Avenue5772,27145.6605021 30Deer Ridge Drive5773,94976.1600020 31Spring Valley Rd004.24501019 32Biehn Drive 5773,45663.3301017 33Eastforest Trail5333,83461.2102417 34Commonwealth Street (Max Becker to Bleams)4901,32222.4203513 35Glasgow Street (University to F-H)4701,39220.000507 11 - 9 Appendix B Proposed Traffic Calming Review Heiman Street – Highland Road to Mill Street 11 - 10 Appendix C Proposed Traffic Calming Review Trussler Road – Highland Road to Ira Needles Boulevard 11 - 11 Appendix D Proposed Traffic Calming Review Pioneer Drive – Doon Village Road to Homer Watson Boulevard 11 - 12 Appendix E Proposed Traffic Calming Review Franklin Street North – Ottawa Street to Weber Street 11 - 13