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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-13-058 - Multi-Use Pathways Road Crossings Access Control Measures REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: June 17, 2013 SUBMITTED BY: Jim Witmer, Director of Operations, ext. 4657, Ken Carmichael, Interim Director of Transportation Services, ext. 7372 PREPARED BY: William Sleeth, Landscape Architect, ext. 4401 Joshua Joseph, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator, ext. 7152 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: June 3, 2013 REPORT NO.: INS-13-058 SUBJECT: MULTI-USE PATHWAYS ROAD CROSSINGS ACCESS CONTROL MEASURES RECOMMENDATION: That as an interim measure, access control infrastructure (gates and bollards) along the Iron Horse Trail that do not meet the current guideline of 1200mm unobstructed opening width be relocated to provide for a minimum 1200mm opening and that the proposed work be completed by July 2014 utilizing existing approved Capital Budget funding, and That the Operations and Transportation Services Divisions complete an update of standards for multi-use pathway midblock crossings of roads prior to December 31, 2013, and That the Operations and Transportation Services Divisions prepare an implementation plan to phase in the new standards over 10 or more years starting in 2014 for the primary multi-use pathways as noted in the and the Cycling Master PlanMulti-Use Pathways and and to work with the Cycling Advisory Committee to assist in Trails Master Plan identifying priorities for upgraded crossings, and That funding for the incremental upgrading of multi-use pathway – roadway crossings be identified in the Operations Division 10 Year Capital Forecast for Council’s consideration. BACKGROUND: The Cycling Advisory Committee on May 14, 2013 passed the following recommendation to Council regarding the access control measures for multi-use pathways: In the interest of safety for the wide variety of users of our trails the Cycling Advisory Committee requests that the gates/barriers on our trails be left open all year round so that sufficient width access be made available to allow safe travel on our trails. This recommendation recognizes the required and preferred width for trail accessibility in the Council approved Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan. 15 - 1 This report provides a staff response to the Cycling Advisory Committee’s recommendation. The Cycling Advisory Committee has identified that some of the access control measures (gates and bollards) create an impediment to their cycling travel and enjoyment on the multi-use pathways, primarily along the Iron Horse Trail. The purpose of the access control measures are to define the end of the trail and the start of the road crossing, and as a means to keep unauthorized vehicles from travelling on the multi-use pathways and to keep them out of the parks. Per previous wishes from the Cycling Advisory Committee regarding these access control measures, staff is currently in the process of reviewing the existing multi-use pathway crossings of municipal roads and the use of gates as access control. Staff is updating the standards to meet the best practises for pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Staff is currently reviewing the recently released updates to the Ontario Traffic Manual (Book 18) and the Regional recommendations (Walk Cycle Waterloo Region) in order to complete a draft standard crossing detail. In the Council Report dated July 24, 2001 (Report No: CDS-01-122), 58% of trail users at the time felt that the double gates made the crossing safer for the users, but less than 15% of trail users surveyed felt that the double gates were effective in requiring cyclists to dismount for safe travel across the roadway. The report further recommended and approved that double-gate diverters should not to be installed along the Iron Horse Trail at road crossings. A single gate should be provided as part of a safe crossing. REPORT: Staff acknowledges that the some of the gates within the City’s primary trail network do not meet the current 1200mm opening guideline which impedes some cyclists with large panniers (saddle bags) or bicycles with trailers from accessing the trails. On the other hand, these gates do offer both an element of safety and access control. These gates provide a definition of the end of the trail and the start of the road crossings. The gates also serve to slow the cyclist so that they do not enter the road right of way at full speed. The gates also provide access control to help keep unauthorized vehicles out of the trail and park system. During the considerable public and agency consultation conducted during the preparation of the Multi-Use Pathways and Trails Master Plan (2012) specific issues were not identified regarding the use of the gates as an impediment to any of the user groups. Further, it recommends the use of “Access barriers to prevent unauthorized motorized users from accessing the pathway” (A.11.1-Appendix A, page A-48). As these gates do provide an element of safety to control the speed of cyclists before entering the right of way, staff recommends that the gates are not opened or removed before other safety measures are in place. As an interim measure all gates along the iron horse trail could be relocated to provide the 1200mm clearance required in the guidelines. Staff are currently reviewing and updating the midblock multi-use pathway crossing standards and guidelines. The team includes representatives from Parks Design and Development, Operations, Traffic, Risk Management and By-law. Staff is coordinating with the Region of Waterloo and the Cities of Cambridge and Waterloo, so that there are consistent crossing designs throughout the region. Staff have also met with the Cycling Advisory Committee, and will continue to keep them and additional stakeholders and other advisory committees involved as the process moves forward to ensure that standards and guidelines meet the safety and convenience requirements for all trail users, including cyclists. 15 - 2 Staff is currently reviewing the Ministry of Transportation recently released Ontario Traffic Manual Book 18: Bicycle Facilities (Draft Report V4 dated May 2013), which outlinesdesign guidelines for midblock crossings along with on road bicycle facilities. Staff is also reviewing all applicable acts that provide additional direction for midblock crossings. Once staff has completed their update of the standards and guidelines for mid-block crossings of the multi-use pathways, a report will be provided to Council. A 10+ year capital forecast and implementation plan will also be developed to allow for the phased replacement of the existing crossings along the primary trail system. The Cycling Advisory Committee will be consulted to identify priorities for crossing upgrades. The above recommendations and work will require additional funding if current approved work is to be completed. The Multiuse Pathway and Trails Master Plan (2012) did not highlight retrofitting existing crossings and replacing of access control messages as a priority. The report did include the recommendation to complete gaps in the trail system, upgrading trail surfacing to asphalt and improving the way-finding and signage. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality of Life Safe and convenient road crossings of the multi-use pathways will lead to healthier, more active population within Kitchener. Environment Convenient and safe road crossings of the multi-use pathways will improve the users’ satisfaction and therefore increase the number of active transportation trips outside the right of way. Reducing the number of people commuting by motorized vehicles will help to improve the environment, by a reduction in green-house gases. Diversity Staff are reviewing and updating the crossings details to ensure that all users have an equal, safe and enjoyable use of the crossings, not just one user group. Development: With well planned, safe and convenient road crossings along the City’s multi-use pathway system will improve the usability, increasing the number of people walking and cycling, and therefore increase the interconnection of our City’s neighbourhoods. Staff are upholding this philosophy while creating the new standards. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Through the 2013-2022 capital budget process the following 10-year trail and cycling budgets were identified: Community Trails $4,734,000 Trails -LEAF Contribution $1,600,000 Trail Crossings $191,000 Park/Trail Bridge Repairs $1,145,000 Cycling Masterplan Implementation $2,741,000 15 - 3 The Multi-Use Pathways and Trails Master Plan (2012) recommended that $10.4 million be allocated in the 10-year trail forecast and that an additional $10.0 million be identified beyond the 10-year capital forecast in order to address all of the recommendations of the masterplan. st The Cycling Master Plan for the 21 Century (2010) recommended that $1.9 million be invested in the priority network over 6-8 years and that the long term cycling network will require an additional $4.2 million. All costs associated with the relocation and or/retrofitting of the gates are not included in the current work plans. Relocating gates to meet the current guideline of 1200mm clear width between the end of the gate to the nearest obstruction is estimated at $32,000: (approximately 16 gates require relocation along the Iron Horse Trail at $2000 per gate). Recommended completion, July 2014. To upgrade all gates to meet the new standard along the Iron Horse Trail only, is estimated at $185,000 (29 gates, $6,400 each gate location). To upgrade all gates to meet the new standard along the primary trail system (type I & II) only will cost an estimated $4.6 million (approx. 350 intersections at approx. $13,000 per intersection) COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Community involvement with the multiuse pathways and midblock crossing design has been and will continue to be highly important to the design process. The Council Report CDS-01-122, dated July 24, 2001 surveyed many users of the Iron Horse Trail, which provided great detail regarding the use of the access control measures. The Multiuse Pathways and Trails Master st Plan (2012) and the Cycling Masterplan for the 21 Century (2010) engaged the public through surveys and open houses, provided insight into the cycling and trail priorities. Staff has currently engaged the Cycling Advisory Committee and will continue to include them in future reviews of the multi-use pathway crossing standards. Staff understands the need to keep the public involved to have a successful process and will seek their input as the process moves forward. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO , Infrastructure Services Department 15 - 4