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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-17-029 - Traffic Calming Review - Doon South Drive REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: May 1, 2017 SUBMITTED BY: Ken Carmichael,Interim Director Transportation Services 519- 741-2200 x7372 PREPARED BY: Lou Slijepcevic, Traffic Technologist, 519-741-2200 x7153 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 4 DATE OF REPORT: March 15, 2017 REPORT NO.: INS-17-029 SUBJECT: Doon South Drive Traffic Calming Review ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATIONS: That intersection narrowings be installed on Doon South Drive at Windrush Trail and Forest Edge Trail; and further, That three (3) speed cushions be installed along Doon South Drive between Doon Mills Drive and Robert Ferrie Drive; and further, That a pedestrian refuge island be installed on Doon South Drive approximately 60 metres west of Woodsmere Drive at the trail crossing; and further, That intersection improvements be made at Doon South Drive and Doon Village Road to provide safer pedestrian road crossings. That parking be prohibited at any time in the immediate area of the speed cushions; and further, That parking be prohibited at any time in the immediate area of the pedestrian refuge island; and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-Law be amended accordingly. BACKGROUND: Traffic volume and speeding are significant safety related issues frequently raised by residents of affected neighbourhoods in the City of Kitchener. In response to these issues, Council reviewed, updated and subsequently Traffic Calming Policy in 2014 and established an annual budget to address traffic management issues in residential neighbourhoods. The traffic calming policy outlines a number of evaluation criteria that provide a *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 13 - 1 fair and consistent review of streets and communities, while defining and prioritizing the individual streets and/or communities that are most in need of traffic calming from a traffic safety perspective. In March 2014, Council approved report INS-14-0 recommended that a traffic calming review be conducted for Doon South Drive. REPORT: InMay 2014, Transportation Services initiated a traffic calming review for Doon South Drive. Subsequently, two public meetings were held in November 2014 and June 2016 to discuss the traffic calming review process along with the current traffic conditions, alternative design options as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each design alternative and present the preferred design alternative option as determined by the traffic calming steering committee. In October 2016, Transportation Services staff mailed a final survey to all affected area residents along Doon South Drive. The intent of the survey was to determine if there is sufficient support for the implementation of the recommended traffic calming measures. As per the City of Kitchener Traffic Calming policy, a minimum of 50% of directly affected residents must respond to the survey and 60% of the respondents must support the recommended plan for staff to recommend installation of the proposed measures. There were a total of 120 properties surveyed within the boundaries of the study area. The results of this survey are as follows: Residents in favour of the recommended plan: 37(86%) Residents opposed to the recommended plan: 6(14%) Total 43 responded out of 120 (36%) Based on the results above, the Doon South Drive traffic calming review did not meet the required minimum community support having only 36% of residents respond to the survey when a 50% response rate is required as outlined in the City of Kitchener Traffic Calming policy. However, it is important to note that the vast majority of respondents are in favour of implementing the traffic calming measures.As a result, Transportation Services recommends that the preferred traffic calming plan be implemented. This plan includes the recommended speed cushions along with improved pedestrian facilities, intersection improvements at the intersections of Doon Village Road, Windrush Trail and Forest Edge Trail as well as a pedestrian refuge island 60 metres west of Woodsmere Drive at the trail crossing. The recommended changes would ultimately create a safer environment for all road users. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Strategic Priority:3:Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods. Strategy:3:2Create safer streets in our neighbourhoods through new traffic calming approaches. Strategic Action:NB39 Traffic Calming *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 13 - 2 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The total cost of implementing the traffic calming plan is approximately $60, 000 and will be taken from Transportation Services traffic calming capital budget account. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM Directly affected residents of Doon South Drive have been involved in this traffic calming review throughout the entire process. The review included confirmation by the residents via a survey to initiate the review, two (2) public meetings to gain input on any issues along Doon South Drive, 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 via letter regarding this report recommending the implementation of the proposed traffic calming plan in March 2017. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services Department Attached: Appendix A Traffic Calming Plan 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. 13 - 3 Doon South Drive Doon Mills Drive to Robert Ferrie Drive Typical Speed Cushion Design Typical Pedestrian Refuge Island Doon South Drive Homer Watson Boulevard to Doon Mills Drive *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 13 - 4 Typical Narrowing Doon South Drive Intersection Improvement at Doon Village Road *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 13 - 5 *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 13 - 6