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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-17-064 -2017/2018 School Safety Review REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: August 21, 2017 SUBMITTED BY: Ken Carmichael,Interim Director of Transportation Services, 519-741-2200, ext. 7372 PREPARED BY: Dean McMillan, Supervisor of Crossing Guards, 519-741-2200, ext. 7232 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward(s) 1 and 2 DATE OF REPORT: August 1, 2017 REPORT NO.: INS-17-064 SUBJECT: 2017/18 School Safety Review ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATIONS:That an Adult Crossing Guard assisted School Crossing be established for the east and south leg crosswalk locations of the signalized intersection for Fairway Road North at Lackner Boulevard; and further, Thatan Adult Crossing Guard assisted School Crossing be established at the proposed pedestrian crossover for Lackner Boulvard at Corfield Drive; and further, Thatfunding for the two new crossing guard locations identified in report INS-17- 064 be referred to the 2018 budget process; and further, Thatstopping be prohibited anytime on the east and west side of Corfield Drive from Lackner Boulevard to a point 35m south thereof; and further Thata School Bus Loading Zone be established on the west side (even- numbered) of Burlington Drive from a point 17m north of Rosemount Drive to a point 80m north thereof; Thata School Bus Loading Zone be established on the west side of Confederation Drive (even-numbered) from a point 30m south of Halifax Drive to a point 40m south thereof; and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 14 - 1 BACKGROUND: Transportation Services is in receipt of a request from the Waterloo Region District School Board to install two (2) new adult crossing guards at two separate locations to accommodate the opening of a new school; Chicopee Hills Public School located adjacent to the intersection of Fairway Road North at Lackner Boulevard. Transportation Services is also in receipt of a request from Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region for the establishment of School Bus Loading Zones (SBLZ) along Burlington Drive and Confederation Drive to accommodate School Bus pick-up and drop-off at school locations. REPORT: Adult Crossing Guards Waterloo Region District School Board has requested the establishment of adult crossing guards to accommodate student safety to and from Chicopee Hills Public School (opening September, 2017). The new school is located on a private currently unnamed roadway adjacent to regional arterial roads Fairway Road North and Lackner Boulevard. Additionally, City staff have also worked with the School Travel Planner from Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region and determined that these crossing guards will enhance the walk to school for new students. The locations where Adult Crossing Guards have been requested and traffic related information have been listed below: 1. Fairway Road North at Lackner Boulevard Both are Regional arterial roadways with existing speed limits of 60 km/h. This is a traffic signal location and the adult crossing guard would be assisting students in crossing the east and south legs of the intersection. These legs of the intersection were chosen by Staff since there is a channel for right-turning vehicles traveling southbound to westbound and as a result of the existing intersection geometrics, crosswalks are not marked on the north and west legs of the intersection. The Region of Waterloo has also installed a Multi-use Trail (MUT) on the north side of Lackner Boulevard from Oldfield Drive/Zeller Drive to Fairway Road North. 2. Lackner Boulevard at Corfield Drive Lackner Boulevard is a Regional arterial roadway with a speed limit of 60 km/h. Corfield Drive is a local City road with a speed limit of 50 km/h. The Region of Waterloo will be installing a Level 2 Pedestrian Crossover that will include flashing beacons and a pedestrian refuge island. Initially, the Crossing Guard will be expected to assist students crossing the West leg of the intersection. To ensure that there are clear sightlines for motorists approaching the intersection, City staff will install a - anytime restriction along Corfield Drive in advance of Lackner Boulevard to ensure that approaching motorists can see students crossing. City staff is recommending the initial implementation of adult crossing guards for Chicopee Hills P.S. as part of the Site Plan review process and since elementary students would have to cross Regional roadways on their way to and from school. Staff 14 - 2 strongly believes that when the locations are reviewed and measured against the Exposure Index in the future, the locations will indeed be warranted. Staff will monitor these locations to determine whether these adult crossing guards will be reinstated for the 2018-2019 school year. City staff understand the request for the Adult Crossing Guards to assist students walking to and from the school for the new location; however, since this is the initial school year for Chicopee Hills and data cannot be collected until students are walking to and from school, staff will monitor these locations to determine whether these Adult Crossing Guards will be reinstated for the 2018-2019 school year. 12If there are any proposed adjustments to these two new locations, staff will report back to Council with further relevant information. In the 2017/2018 school year, Staff will be collecting data at existing locations as part of a newly developed Exposure Index recommended for use by the Ontario Traffic Council (OTC). The exposure index takes into consideration existing turning conflicts for pedestrians as well as the number of pedestrians at a potential and/or existing crossing location. Through this review Staff will have a better idea as to whether resources can be used differently to offset the costs associated with new Staff (for instance, relocation of an existing crossing guard location that may not be warranted through the use of the Exposure Index. Council will be advised of any further changes to the adult crossing guard program through the reporting process. School Bus Loading Zones Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region has requested that City staff review the installation of School Bus Loading Zones (SBLZ) on Burlington Drive for Rosemount Public School and on Confederation Drive for Canadian Martyrs Catholic Elementary School. 1. Burlington Drive (between Rosemount Drive and approximately 90m north thereof) Staff have determined that a SBLZ can be installed on the west side of the street between the limitations stated above to accommodate school buses for Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region. 2. Confederation Drive (between Halifax Drive and Amber Drive) City staff are proposing the installation of the SBLZ on the west side of the street to accommodate buses. picking-up and dropping-off students in the school areas. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: vision through the delivery of core service. 14 - 3 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Funds for the signs in relation to schools will be taken from the existing sign maintenance budget. The proposed two new crossing guards will be funded from the existing crossing guard part time wages operating budget for 2017 as this budget item has been underspent and can accommodate the 2017 crossing guard costs. Funding for the two new crossing guards will be referred to the 2018 budget process. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Affected residents will be notified of the School Bus Loading Zones by letter from Transportation Services. Waterloo Region District School Board will notify Chicopee Hills students of Adult Crossing Guards through newsletters and the School Travel Planner has dealt with area parents through school related meetings. INFORM advance of the council / committee meeting. PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER: N/A CONCLUSION: Staff is recommending the establishment of the Crossing Guards for Chicopee Hills P.S. to initially encourage students to walk to school as part of the school opening. These locations were developed in collaboration with School Board administrators, School Travel Planner and City staff; which helps to build stronger relationships amongst these groups and the greater community. The School Bus Loading Zones recommended by staff will improve school operations at existing school locations and will help to delineate appropriate areas for school buses to pick-up and drop-off elementary students. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, Interim Executive Director Infrastructure Services Department 14 - 4 Appendix A Proposed Adult Crossing Guard Assisted School Crossings on Lackner Boulevard and Stopping Prohibition on Corfield Drive 14 - 5 Appendix B Burlington Drive School Bus Loading Zone 14 - 6 Appendix C Confederation Drive School Bus Loading Zone 14 - 7