HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-18-010 - Sims Estate Drive Traffic Calming ReviewREPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 5, 2018
SUBMITTED BY: Ken Carmichael,Interim Director Transportation Services
(519)741-2200 x7372
PREPARED BY: Steven Ryder, Traffic Technologist,(519)741-2200 x7152
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 2
DATE OF REPORT: February 8, 2018
REPORT NO.: INS-18-010
SUBJECT: Sims Estate Drive Traffic Calming Review
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That a painted mid-block narrowing be implemented on Sims Estate Drive between #103
and #111 Sims Estate Drive;
That intersection narrowings be installed on Sims Estate Drive at Desmond Street,
Morrison Road and William Lewis Street;
That speed humps be installed on Sims Estate Drive at Waterbend Crescent and
Tremaine Drive;
That parking be prohibited on both sides along Sims Estate Drive in the immediate area
of all traffic calming measures; 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
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 2016, Council approved report INS-16-020Traffic Calming Priority - 2016in which
staff recommended that a traffic calming review be conducted for Sims Estate Drive.
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REPORT:
In January 2017, Transportation Services initiated a traffic calming review for Sims Estate Drive
through a survey mailed to directly affected residents. The survey resulted in proceeding with a
Public Information Centre (PIC) that was held in May 2017. The intent of this PIC was to discuss
the traffic calming review process, the current traffic conditions of the roadway, and potential
traffic calming measures. A subsequent PIC was held in November 2017 after receiving
feedback from residents through the first PIC. The intent of the second PIC was to review the
summarized resident feedback, provide alternative design options, including the advantages
and disadvantages of each alternative, and present the preferred design option as determined
by the traffic calming steering committee.
Grand River Transit was consulted regarding the proposed traffic calming plan and stated that
while Sims Estate Drive is identified as a potential transit route, there are currently no plans for
a route to be implemented and thus they have no concerns.
Kitchener Fire was consulted regarding the proposed traffic calming plan and has no concerns.
In January 2018, Transportation Services staff mailed a final survey to all affected area
residents along Sims Estate 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 properties surveyed within the boundaries of the study area. The results
of this survey are as follows:
Residents in favour of the recommended plan: 27(82% of 33 votes)
Residents opposed to the recommended plan: 6(18% of 33 votes)
Total 33 responded out of 116 (28%)
Although the minimum participation rate was not achieved, there is strong support to implement
the proposed traffic calming measures amongst those who responded to the survey. Based on
the indicated support, Transportation Services recommends that the proposed traffic calming
plan be implemented. The recommended changes would ultimately create a safer environment
for all road users, however will result in the loss of approximately 10-12 on-street parking
spaces where the traffic calming measures are proposed.
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
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The total cost of implementing the traffic calming plan is approximately $55,000 and will be
taken from Transportation Services Traffic Calming capital budget account.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM Directly affected residents of the Sims Estate Drive traffic calming review have
received information regarding this review since January 2017. Notification of both Public
Information Centres was provided through mail out and road signage. Information packages
were distributed at both PICs which highlighted key topics discussed and included
questionnaires for feedback. Presentation materials, including the information packages, were
website after the conclusion of each PIC.
CONSULT The Sims Estate Drive traffic calming review began when an initiation survey was
mailed out in January 2017. Two (2) Public Information Centres were held to gain input at key
stages of the traffic calming review process, including feedback on the proposed preferred
solution. In February 2018, Transportation Services staff mailed out a final survey to all affected
residents along Sims Estate Drive and the surrounding neighbourhood to determine support for
the preferred plan.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, Interim Executive Director,
Infrastructure Services Department
Attached:
Appendix A Traffic Calming Plan
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Appendix A: Traffic Calming Plan
Sims Estate Drive Fairway Road North to Tremaine Drive
6)
5)
4)
1)
2) 3)
1) Painted mid-block narrowing along curvature of Sims Estate Drive;
2) Intersection narrowing at Sims Estate Drive and Desmond Street;
3) Intersection narrowing at Sims Estate Drive and Morrison Road;
4) Speed hump at Sims Estate Drive and Waterbend Crescent;
5) Intersection narrowing at Sims Estate Drive and William Lewis Street;
6) Speed hump at Sims Estate Drive and Tremaine Drive.
- Study Boundary
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