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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-16-084 - Williamsburg Road - Traffic Calming Follow Up Review REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: November 7, 2016 SUBMITTED BY: Ken Carmichael, Interim Director Transportation Services 519- 741-2200 x7372 PREPARED BY: Jeramie Lewis, Interim Transportation Planning Project Manager, 519-741-2200 x7665 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 6 DATE OF REPORT: October 12, 2016 REPORT NO.: INS-16-084 SUBJECT:Williamsburg Road Traffic Calming Follow Up Review ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That the existing traffic calming measures (three (3) speed humps and one (1) raised pedestrian crossing) on Williamsburg Road remain in place. BACKGROUND: Transportation Services staff initiated a traffic calming review for Williamsburg Road in 2011 in response to concerns raised by area residents regarding traffic volumes and speeds. As a result of this traffic calming review, a series of traffic calming measures were installed on Williamsburg Road. These measures were installed as per the recommendations in report INS-13-025 in 2013 and included three (3) speed humps and one (1) raised pedestrian crossing. Transportation Services staff has conducted a one year follow up review of the traffic calming measures installed. The intention of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of the traffic calming plan in terms of ensuring that the measures have successfully mitigated the traffic issues identified by affected area residents and to ensure that residents are generally satisfied with the outcome. REPORT: As part of the one year follow up review, Transportation Services staff updated traffic volume and speed data to determine the effectiveness of the traffic calming measures installed on Williamsburg Road. The results are as follows: *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 3 - 1 Williamsburg Road - Volumes and Speeds VolumesSpeeds (km/h) Count Station Location Date EB WB Total Change Avg. 85th Change   Jun-11 58 Between Dinision Crescent and 12.1% -3.4%- Pinedale Drive   51 May-16    Jun-11 52 Between Pinedale Drive and Wilkins -13.5% 0.3% Drive     45 May-16 The results of these studies show significant reduction in vehicle operating speeds while traffic volumes remained consistent and within the acceptable range for the road classification of Williamsburg Road. In the three years prior to the implementation of the traffic calming measures, there were ten (10) motor vehicle collisions on Williamsburg Road within the study area; this yields a collision rate of 3.33 collisions per year. In the two (2) years since the implementation of traffic calming measures, there have been two (2) reported motor vehicle collisions, which equates to one (1) per year, yielding a reduction of approximately 2.33 collisions per year. Transportation Services staff conducted a follow up neighbourhood survey as part of the traffic calming plan for Williamsburg Road. In July 2016, a survey package was mailed out to all affected area residents within the general project area 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. The results of this survey are as follows: Williamsburg Road Residents In favour of retaining traffic calming measures: 18 (86%) In favour of removing traffic calming measures: 3 (14%) TOTAL: 21out of 53 (40% responded) Area Residents not residing on Williamsburg Road In favour of retaining traffic calming measures: 59 (68%) In favour of removing traffic calming measures: 22 (25%) Undecided: 6 (7%) TOTAL: 87out of 396 (22% responded) All Surveyed Residents In favour of retaining traffic calming measures: 77 (72%) In favour of removing traffic calming measures: 25 (23%) Undecided: 6 (5%) TOTAL: 108 out of 449 (24% responded) *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 3 - 2 Based on the results above, it is clear that there is neighbourhood support to maintain the existing traffic calming measures on Williamsburg Road. Accordingly, Transportation Services recommends that the existing traffic calming measures remain in place on a permanent basis. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The recommendation of this report supports the achievement of the city’s strategic vision through the delivery of core service. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There is no cost associated with the recommendation. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM – Directly affected residents of Williamsburg Road have been involved in this traffic calming review throughout the entire process. The review included confirmation by the residents via a survey to initiate said review, two (2) public meetings to gain input on any issues along Williamsburg Road, as well as receive feedback on the proposed solution. The approval plan was supported by the majority of responding residents through another formal survey. CONSULT - Residents were notified regarding of this report to recommend the permanent maintenance of the traffic calming measures. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services Attached: Appendix A – Traffic Calming Plan *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 3 - 3 Appendix A *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 3 - 4