HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-13-004 - Vanier Dr Traffic Calming Follow Up Review
REPORT TO:
Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
April 8, 2013
SUBMITTED BY:
Ken Carmichael, Interim Director of Transportation Services
PREPARED BY:
Danny Pimentel, Traffic Technologist (741-2200 ext. 7371)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 3
DATE OF REPORT: March 22, 2013
REPORT NO.:
INS-13-004
VANIER DRIVE AND TRAYNOR AVENUE - TRAFFIC
SUBJECT:
CALMING FOLLOW UP REVIEW
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the existing traffic calming measures (five (5) speed humps) on Vanier Drive
between Walter Avenue and Traynor Avenue remain in place, and further;
That the existing traffic calming measures (five (5) speed humps) on Traynor Avenue
between Vanier Drive and Wilson Avenue remain in place.
BACKGROUND
:
Transportation Services had received numerous requests from residents of the Vanier Drive and
Traynor Avenue community, to review the existing traffic conditions. According to the concerns
indicated, traffic using Vanier Drive and Traynor Avenue is speeding, creating concerns
regarding pedestrian safety. In March 2007, a traffic calming review was initiated for Vanier
Drive/Traynor Avenue.
The first public meeting was held in June 2007. Residents were invited to review the data
regarding vehicle speeds, traffic volume data and collisions as well as provide their input on the
traffic issues in the neighbourhood. In November 2007, a second public meeting was held to
present four (4) design options (including a do-nothing option) to the residents of Vanier Drive
and Traynor Avenue. A preferred alternative was identified and feedback was requested from
residents in order to determine if the community, as a whole, supported the recommendations.
The preferred alternative consisted of installing five (5) speed humps on Vanier Drive between
Walter Avenue and Traynor Avenue and five (5) speed humps on Traynor Avenue between
Vanier Drive and Wilson Avenue. This plan was well-received by the residents. A final traffic
calming recommendation, based on this plan, was submitted to Council in November 2008
(DTS-08-187). Included in the recommendations in the aforementioned report, was to offset the
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installation of speed humps on each roadway. Due to the timing of reconstruction on Vanier
Drive, measures were installed at different times for each roadway. Vanier Drive received
measures upon completion of the construction in 2011, while Traynor Avenue received
measures in the spring of 2009.
REPORT
:
As part of the review of the traffic calming measures along Vanier Drive and Traynor Avenue,
Transportation Services has compared the data for speeds, traffic volumes, and collisions
based on conditions observed both before and after the traffic calming installation.
In October 2012, updated traffic volume and speed data was collected for Vanier Drive, in order
to determine the effectiveness of the traffic calming measures. The results of these studies are
summarized in the table below:
Vanier Drive - Volumes and Speeds
Volumes Speeds (km/h)
Count Station
Date
EB WB Total ChangeEB WB Avg Change
Location
Aug 2006 NA NA 2879 NA NA 55.7
Between Massey
-46.4% -12.4%
Ave & Erie Ave
Oct 2012 739 804 1543 47.4 50.2 48.8
Aug 2006 2172 17113883 59.3 60.1 59.7
Between Siebert
-40.5% -15.8%
Ave & Shelley Dr
Oct 2012 1062 12502312 49.0 51.5 50.3
It should be noted that data collected was not completed during similar times of the year. Prior
to the installation of the traffic calming measures, studies were conducted during the summer
months of 2006, while the studies after implementation were conducted during the school year
in 2012. It is typical for volumes on roadways to see an increase in vehicles during school
months when compared to non-school months. While studies were not completed during the
same time periods, volumes and speeds have significantly decreased since the implementation
of the traffic calming measures.
In the three (3) years prior to the implementation of the traffic calming measures there were
seventeen (17) motor vehicle collisions along Vanier Drive, for a collision rate of 5.7 per year. In
the one year since the implementation of the traffic calming measures (November 2011 through
November 2012) there has been two (2) motor vehicle collisions resulting in a collision rate of
2.0 per year. Overall this is a reduction in the collision rate by 3.7 collisions per year.
In September 2011, updated traffic volume and speed data was collected for Traynor Avenue, in
order to determine the effectiveness of the traffic calming measures. The results of these
studies are summarized in the table below:
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Traynor Avenue - Volumes and Speeds
Volumes Speeds (km/h)
Count Station
Date
NB SB Total ChangeNB SB Avg Change
Location
Between Balfour
Aug 2006 2751 27445495 52.3 57.8 55.1
Cres & Belwood -35.8% -16.3%
Sep 2011 1924 1604 3528 46.4 45.8 46.1
Cres
It should be noted that data collected was not completed during similar times of the year. Prior
to the installation of the traffic calming measures, studies were conducted during the summer
months of 2006, while the studies after implementation were conducted during the school year
in 2012. It is typical for volumes on roadways to see an increase in vehicles during school
months when compared to non-school months. While studies were not completed during the
same time periods, volumes and speeds have significantly decreased since the implementation
of the traffic calming measures.
In the two (2) years prior to the implementation of the traffic calming measures there were
twelve (12) motor vehicle collisions along Traynor Avenue, for a collision rate of 6.0 per year. In
the three (3) years since the implementation of the traffic calming measures (January 2010
through December 2012) there have been eleven (11) motor vehicle collisions resulting in a
collision rate of 3.7 per year. Overall this is a reduction in the collision rate by 2.3 collisions per
year.
Transportation Services conducted a follow-up resident survey as part of the traffic calming plan
for Vanier Drive and Traynor Avenue. In February 2013, a survey package was mailed out to all
Vanier Drive and Traynor Avenue residents, in order to gauge community support for the traffic
calming measures. The survey package included the results of the traffic studies performed
both before and after the installation, as discussed in this report. Responses were received from
a total of 77 of the 102 residents surveyed, and the results are as follows:
Total Survey Results:
63 (82%)
Residents in support of maintaining the existing traffic calming
12 (16%)
Residents not in support of maintaining the existing traffic calming
Total 77 of 153 (50% response rate)
Please note that two (2) responses received, did not clearly identify their support or opposition
to the survey.
Based on the results above, it appears that there is neighbourhood support to maintain the
existing traffic calming measures on Vanier Drive and Traynor Avenue. Accordingly,
Transportation Services recommends that the existing traffic calming measures be retained on
both roadways.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendations of this report align with the City of Kitchener’s People Plan, supporting a
Culture of Safety and Wellbeing.
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no costs associated with the recommendation.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Residents of Vanier Drive and Traynor Avenue have been involved in this traffic calming review
through the entire process. This includes confirmation with the residents to initiate the review,
conducting two (2) public meetings with the residents to gain input on the issues at hand, as
well as to receive feedback on proposed solutions.
Attach.
Map of Traffic Calming Measures
Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Infrastructure Services Department
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Vanier Drive and Traynor Avenue Traffic Calming Measures
LEGEND
Speed Hump
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