HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-13-055 - Glasgow St Traffic Calming
REPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
May 27, 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:
Ward 8
DATE OF REPORT:
May 15, 2013
REPORT NO.:
INS-13-055
SUBJECT:
GLASGOW STREET TRAFFIC CALMING
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That a series of two (2) medians and two (2) chicanes be installed on Glasgow Street
between Fischer Hallman Road and Knell Drive; and further;
That bicycle lanes be installed on Glasgow Street between Belmont Avenue and Knell
Drive; and further;
That the Uniform Traffic Control By-law be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
The existing City of Kitchener traffic calming policy was adopted by Council in August 2004
(DTS 04-125). This 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 that are most in need of traffic calming, from a traffic safety perspective.
Through the approval of report INS-11-066 in August 2011, Glasgow Street (from Fischer
Hallman Road to Belmont Avenue West), was approved for a formal traffic calming review. The
timing of the review was intended to allow for any potential traffic calming measures to be
incorporated in to the reconstruction of Glasgow Street in 2013/2014.
Report INS-11-066 was brought forth to Council as a result of a resident delegation which
appeared at Council on Jun 13/11, requesting the consideration of the implementation of traffic
calming measures on Glasgow Street between Fischer Hallman Road and Belmont Avenue.
REPORT
Glasgow Street is designated as a major collector roadway within the City of Kitchener’s Official
Plan. The function of a major collector roadway is to collect and distribute traffic between local
streets, other collector roadways and the arterial road system, as a primary function to carry
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through traffic between neighbourhoods. The expected traffic volume on major collector
roadways is 8,000 to 12,000 vehicles per day.
The posted speed limit is 40 km/h as outlined within the City of Kitchener Uniform Traffic Control
By-law 2007-138. The speed limit was reduced from 50 km/h to 40km/h in 1998, prior to the
establishment of the formal traffic calming policy in an attempt to reduce the speed of traffic.
In 2000, Glasgow Street was reconstructed from Fischer Hallman Road to Knell Drive. The pre-
existing rural road cross-section was updated to an urban cross-section that now includes curb
and gutter, sidewalk on one side, bicycle lanes and defined traffic lanes.
Glasgow Street between Knell Drive and Westmount Road is scheduled for reconstruction in
2014, while the reconstruction of Glasgow Street between Westmount Road and Belmont
Avenue is underway. The reconstruction of roadways can provide an opportunity to incorporate
traffic calming measures into the roadway design.
On February 29, 2012 our study team held its first public meeting to discuss traffic issues and
concerns on Glasgow Street between Belmont Avenue and Fischer Hallman Road and possible
approaches to developing solutions. The existing traffic conditions are as follows:
Automated Volume & Speed Studies
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CountAADT 85 Percentile
Location AADT
DateCombined Speed (km/h)
SeptEastbound – 2534
between Knell and Westwood 5354 58
2011Westbound – 2820
SeptEastbound – 2505
between Knell and Inwood 5273 51
2011Westbound – 2768
SeptEastbound – 3496
Between Avondale and Dunbar 7128 51
2011Westbound – 3632
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Note:The 85 percentile speed is the speed at which 85% of vehicles are traveling at or under
Note: Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)
Speeds recorded are typically what is anticipated for a roadway of the nature of Glasgow Street,
with the exception of the section between Knell Drive and Westwood Avenue. However, due to
the general disrepair of Glasgow Street between Knell Drive and Belmont Avenue, it is
anticipated that speeds could increase following reconstruction should physical changes to the
roadway not occur.
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Collision Analysis (2009-2012)
A four (4) year collision history was reviewed along Glasgow Street between Fischer Hallman
Road and Belmont Avenue with a total of twenty two (22) reported collisions. The following is a
summary of the collision history:
Initial Impact Type
YearTotal
RearTurning
Approaching SideswipeSMV Angle
EndMovement
2012 0 0 2 0 0 0 2
2011 0 1 3 3 0 1 8
2010 2 2 0 4 0 0 8
2009 0 0 1 3 0 0 4
Total 2 3 6 10 0 1 22
It should be noted that the collision history does not include the intersections of Glasgow Street
and Belmont Avenue/Westmount Road/Fischer Hallman road as they are intersections under
Regional jurisdiction and further, collisions at these intersections are not mitigateable by traffic
calming.
The collision history for Glasgow Street shows that a variety of collision types have occurred
along this street. However, ten (10) of the collisions are rear end collisions at various
intersections and can, at least partially be attributed to driver inattention and speed.
Community Response
As part of the initial public meeting, attendees and residents were asked to identify the issues
within the neighbourhood, and identify potential solutions. The following summarizes public
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input received following the 1 public meeting:
A total of twenty nine (29) responses were received, seventeen (17) of which were
Glasgow Street residents.
The majority of the responses received identified speed and volume on Glasgow Street
as the main concerns.
The following measures were identified within the responses received as potential
alternatives to calm traffic.
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Requested Traffic Calming Alternatives
While many different measures were suggested through the responses received, there was no
common thread with the alternatives suggested for solutions on Glasgow Street with the
exception of all-way stops. Accordingly, Transportation Services reviewed the intersectionsof
Glasgow Street and Westwood Drive, Knell Drive, Inwood Drive, Aberdeen Road and Dunbar
Road for the inclusion of all-way stops along Glasgow Street, however, none were warranted at
this time.
Additionally, any measures that included vertical deflections were ultimately not included due to
the collector nature of Glasgow Street. Additionally, Glasgow Street is a primary response route
for Emergency Services and is also a transit route. Any vertical measures could have a
significant impact on overall emergency response rate.
Early in the evaluation process it was also determined that, due to environmental constraints,
that traffic calming options from Westmount Road to Belmont Avenue were limited. There is a
narrow road right of way and carriageway, with mature trees, so therefore any traffic calming
measures that involve increasing the effective roadway width had to be discounted.
Additionally, the Cycling Master Plan designates Glasgow Street as a priority connection within
the cycling network and therefore, in all alternatives bike lanes and narrow lane widths were
considered between Belmont Avenue and Westmount Road. This does conform to the City of
Kitchener’s Cycling Master Plan.
A second public meeting was held on July 5, 2012 to present the alternatives, the advantages
and disadvantages of each alternative, and to present the preferred alternative as determined
by the steering committee. Attendees were asked to provide any comments before a
recommended plan was developed. The alternatives that were considered and presented are as
follows:
Bicycle lanes along Glasgow Street from Fischer Hallman Road to Belmont Avenue
A center boulevard from Fischer Hallman Road to Westmount Road (gapped to provide
access at intersections)
A series of five (5) medians strategically located Fischer Hallman Road and Westmount
Road.
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The series of medians was identified and presented as the preferred alternative.
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Following the 2 public meeting a total of seventy (70) responses were received, sixty (60) of
which were from Glasgow Street residents and forty one (41) of those were a result of a door to
door campaign in opposition to our initial preferred alternative (from Fischer Hallman Rd to
Westmount Rd).
Based on all of the feedback provided, a number of changes were made to the preferred
alternative. Additionally, a second alternative was prepared using elements from the resident
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petition that was received. A 3 meeting was held on September 27, 2012, to introduce these
new alternatives to the neighbourhood. The alternatives presented at the meeting focused on:
Westmount Road to Belmont Avenue – Bicycle Lanes
Bicycle lanes will result in narrower vehicle lanes which will positively impact vehicle
operating speeds
Supports recommendations outlined in the approved Cycling Master Plan
The loss of on-street parking is a concern, as parking is prohibited on or over on-street
bicycle lanes. While a complete loss of parking was indicated as a concern, feedback
received indicated a general preference for this alternative
The provision of on-street parking was investigated, however its development would
impact the existing mature trees
Fischer Hallman Road to Knell Drive – Chicanes/Medians
Glasgow Street, from Fischer Hallman Road to Knell Drive, is not scheduled for
reconstruction as it was reconstructed in 2000
A series of strategically located chicanes are being proposed in addition to a median
near Silvercrest Drive and Knell Drive
Chicanes and medians will have a positive impact on vehicle speeds
Chicanes and medians do not impact the provision of on-street bicycle lanes
Knell Drive to Westmount Road
Option 1: Medians
The medians were proposed to be located strategically so that they do not restrict
access, and they minimize property impacts where possible
Cycling facilities have been included on street along with reduced vehicle lane widths
Option 2: On-Street Parking Bay
Medians and chicanes were not included
On street cycling was included as per the Cycling Master Plan
A defined on-street parking bay was included on the south side to address parking
issues
“Bump outs” were included around intersections to increase landscape and delineate
beginning/end of parking bays
The design used elements of what was requested through resident input, based on the
design standards with which the City needs to adhere to
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On September 27, 2012, Transportation Services mailed a survey to all residents/property
owners that abut or are adjacent to Glasgow Street outlining the traffic calming plan.
The intent of the survey was to determine if there is sufficient support for the implementation of
the proposed 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 any further
consideration of the plan. The results of the survey are as follows:
Residents of Westmount Road to Belmont Avenue
In favour of the Bicycle lanes: 12
(71%)
Opposed: 4
(24%)
n/a (no indication of support for or against): 1 ( 6%)
Total – 17 (out of 51 – 33% response rate)
Residents of Westmount Road to Knell Drive
In favour of medians: 2
( 6%)
In favour of the on-street parking bay concept: 10
(31%)
In favour of neither (general reconstruction): 20 (63%)
Total – 32 (out of 49 – 65% response rate)
Residents of Knell Drive to Fischer Hallman Road
In favour of chicanes and medians: 19
(73%)
Opposed: 6
(23%)
n/a (no indication of support for or against): 1 ( 4%)
Total – 26 (out of 53 – 49% response rate)
Total number of responses to the survey - 75 out of 153 (49% response rate)
It should be noted that because Glasgow Street has three distinct sections of roadway with
different characteristics, that the survey has been summarized by these definable areas, in
order to be more reflective of resident opinion.
Based on the survey, sufficient support has been achieved for the installation of a series of
chicanes and medians between Knell Drive and Fischer Hallman Road.
While sufficient input wasn’t received from Glasgow Street between Belmont Avenue and
Westmount Road, responses received indicated that the residents understand the benefit of
cycling lanes, and the inclusion of cycling facilities as recommended in the Cycling Master Plan.
Accordingly, Transportation Services recommends the installation of Cycling facilities as
proposed.
In reviewing input received from residents between Knell Drive and Westmount Road, it was
evident that physical changes to the roadway to incorporate any form of traffic calming was not
desirable. However, through the entire traffic calming process, it was clearly identified that
should the residents not want traffic calming, that the general reconstruction would still take
place, which would include bicycle lanes as per the Cycling Master Plan. These bicycle lanes
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should have a positive impact on overall speeds and serve as a passive method of traffic
calming.
The measures recommended for Glasgow Street should be considered good traffic engineering
in that they address the concerns regarding speeding while addressing agency concerns.
Additionally, support for the preferred alternative is evident from the property owners directly
fronting Glasgow Street that responded to the final survey. Accordingly, staff recommends that
the proposed chicanes and medians be implemented on Glasgow Street.
Should Council endorse the recommended plan, all proposed traffic calming measures are
expected to be installed in congruence with the planned reconstruction in 2013/2014.
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 cost to install the preferred traffic calming plan (2 chicanes and 2 medians) is approximately
$50 000. This cost will be taken from the existing traffic calming budget.
COMMUNICATION:
This project has had extensive public involvement and communication. It has included letters to
affected property owners, three public information centres with related comment forms and a
formal survey.
Transportation Services has worked extensively with Engineering Services throughout the
review to ensure that all resident needs and concerns were addressed. Engineering and
Transportation Services will continue to work hand in hand throughout the course of this review
to ensure that construction of any traffic calming measures will be incorporated into the
reconstruction of Glasgow Street in order to minimize disruption to the neighbourhood.
CONCLUSION:
The recommended plan, which recommends the installation of two (2) chicanes and two (2)
medians, provides the best technical solution to problems indicated through the traffic calming
study. Residents of Glasgow Street have indicated Support for the proposed plan.
Transportation Services feels that the recommendations improve general traffic conditions on
Glasgow Street.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO
Infrastructure Services Department
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