HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-18-008 - Vanier Drive - Bike Lanes and SidewalksREPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: April 30, 2018
SUBMITTED BY: Ken Carmichael, Interim Director of Transportation Services,
519-741-2200, ext. 7372
PREPARED BY: Danny Pimentel, Active Transportation Planning Project
Manager, 519-741-2200, ext. 7371
WARD (S) INVOLVED: Ward 3
DATE OF REPORT: April 11, 2018
REPORT NO.: DSD-18-008
SUBJECT: Vanier Drive Bike Lanes and Sidewalks
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
That Vanier Drive be approved for sidewalk infill as per the Sidewalk Infill Policy
attached to report INS-15-051 approved by Council June 1, 2015;
That existing speed humps be maintained along Vanier Drive from Walton
Avenue to Shelley Drive;
That on-street bicycle lanes be installed on both sides of Vanier Drive from
Walton Avenue to Shelley Drive;
That on-street parking be removed from the east side (even numbered houses)
of Vanier Drive from Walton Avenue to Shelley Drive; and further,
That the Uniform Traffic Bylaw be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
On June 1, 2015 Council approved Report No. INS-15-051 - Sidewalk Infill Policy. The
Sidewalk Infill Policy defines the framework around the installation of new sidewalk in
commitment to an improved sidewalk network on existing roadways to support a more
pedestrian friendly environment. It also defines priority levels for sidewalk infill
locations and provides a framework for community and Council input on any proposed
installations.
The policy requires Council approval for most sidewalk infill locations. This report
outlines the location of sidewalk infill that is recommended to be built in conjunction
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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with an upcoming road reconstruction project in 2019, and provides recommendations
for the application of the policy along Vanier Drive.
In 2008 Council approved, report DTS-08-187 Traffic Calming Vanier Drive /
Traynor
allowed for the installation of five (5) speed humps on Traynor Avenue between Wilson
Avenue and Vanier Drive and five (5) speed humps on Vanier Drive between Traynor
Avenue and Walton Avenue. The speed humps were installed on Traynor Avenue in
2009 and on Vanier Drive in 2010. City traffic counts show that the speed humps have
been successful in lowering speeds on the road. Accordingly, it is recommended that
speed humps be maintained through the reconstruction of Vanier Drive.
The approved City of Kitchener Cycling Master Plan outlines a plan to implement 114
kilometres of cycling infrastructure over 20 years. This plan recommends the
implementation of bicycle lanes and other dedicated cycling infrastructure throughout
the city to create a more bike-friendly environment. Accordingly, Vanier Drive has been
identified for cycling improvements and bicycle lanes are recommended.
Vanier Drive is a designated minor neighbourhood collector roadway within the City of
Kitchener Official Plan. Minor Neighbourhood Collector Streets connect Local Streets
within individual neighbourhoods to Major Community Collector Streets, and are
intended to move people and goods primarily within neighbourhoods. Sidewalks are to
be provided on both sides of the street. Cycling facilities are to be accommodated
safely within the street right-of-
Neighbourhood destinations along Vanier Drive include a public elementary school
and its soccer field, a Montessori school, a church, Vanier Park and an entrance to
Wilson Park. Vanier Drive has a designated speed limit of 50 km/h, except in the
school zone, which is 40 km/h.
REPORT:
Vanier Drive between Walton Avenue and Shelley Drive is scheduled for full
reconstruction in 2019. The Sidewalk Infill Policy stipulates that any areas of planned
sidewalk infill must be presented to Council for approval at least one (1) year in
advance of implementation. Accordingly, staff have reviewed Vanier Drive as a
candidate for sidewalk infill through 2019 reconstruction.
VANIER DRIVE - SIDEWALKS
Location: Vanier Drive Walton Avenue to Kipling Avenue
Priority: Priority 1 (Greater than 67pts)
Score: 85 pts
Implementation Year: 2019
Length of Sidewalk Infill: West Side (odd numbered houses) 450m
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Priority 1 is defined as: Sidewalks shall be required on both sides of the roadway as
they connect to a significant number of pedestrian origins and destinations. Any
sidewalk infill location scoring 90 or more points is deemed to be pre-approved and will
not require additional Council approval.
Transportation Services surveyed area residents within the identified study area
regarding sidewalk infill along the west side (odd numbered houses) of Vanier Drive.
The results of the survey are as follows:
Directly Affected Vanier Drive Residents:
In Favour5 of 25 (20%)
Total
Indifferent4 of 25 (16%)
Opposed16 of 25 (64%)
responses of Directly Affected Residents 25 out of 41 surveyed (61%)
Area Residents:
In Favour72 of 114 (63%)
Indifferent24 of 114 (21%)
Opposed18 of 114 (16%)
Total responses of Area Residents 114 out of 820 surveyed (14%)
Total Area Residents:
In Favour77 of 139 (55%)
Indifferent28 of 139 (20%)
Opposed34 of 139 (25%)
Total responses 139 out of 861 surveyed (22%)
From the surveyed results those who opposed the sidewalk infill cited, the following
concerns:
Snow removal20
Tree loss/removals 19
Impacted landscaping19
Property Value17
Parking Loss16
*It should be noted that each surveyed response may have identified more than one
concern.
The installation of the sidewalk on Vanier Drive may require modifications to address
the following constraints:
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Privately owned landscaping within the public right of way
Possible removal of one (1) tree
While there are minor construction challenges, all constraints are mitigatable as per
the sidewalk infill policy. Accordingly, staff is recommending installation of sidewalk on
the west side (odd numbered houses) of Vanier Drive from Walton Avenue to Shelley
Drive.
VANIER DRIVE SPEED HUMPS
Included in the survey to the directly affected residents of Vanier Drive was a question
asking the residents if they supported maintaining the speed humps along Vanier Drive
between Walton Avenue and Shelley Drive. The results of the survey are as follows:
In Favour17of 25 (68%)
Indifferent3of 25 (12%)
Opposed5of 25 (20%)
Total responses 25 out of 41 surveyed (22%)
A traffic count conducted in June 2017 revealed that the average daily traffic volume
th
was 2,265 vehicles and the 85 percentile speed was 45 kilometres per hour.
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LocationAverage Daily Traffic 85% Speed*
Volume
Vanier Dr between Erie 2,26545 km/h
Ave and Massey Ave
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*85% of vehicles are traveling at or below this speed (85 percentile speed).
Based on the results above, there is neighbourhood support to maintain the existing
speed humps on Vanier Drive between Walton Avenue and Shelley Drive. Accordingly,
Transportation Services recommends that the existing speed humps be maintained on
the roadway. Additionally, Kitchener Fire was asked to provide comments on the
installation of the speed humps after the reconstruction of Vanier Drive. Below are their
comments:
-existing and would essentially be a
one for one replacement and not additional, we have no objection to there (sic) being
VANIER DRIVE BIKE LANES
Vanier Drive from Boniface Avenue to Traynor Avenue is identified in the approved
City of Kitchener Cycling Master Plan for the implementation of bicycle lanes. The
roadway reconstruction between Walton Avenue and Shelley Drive presents an
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opportunity to implement the bicycle lanes while maintaining parking on one side of the
road along that section.
On-Street Parking
Based on the current parking regulations along Vanier Drive, there are approximately
68 on-street parking spaces between Walton Avenue and Shelley Drive. The following
table summarizes the existing available on-street parking spaces and the amount of
on-street parking spaces lost as a result of the proposed design.
Vanier Drive from Walton Avenue to Shelley Drive
Side of StreetAvailable Parking SpacesParking Spaces Lost
Odd (west side)370
Even (east side)2929
TOTAL6829
Transportation Services conducted parking studies to determine the demand for
parking along Vanier Drive. The parking study was conducted in the fall of 2017 and
only focused on the section between Walton Avenue and Shelley Drive. The results of
the 2017 parking study are summarized below:
DATE: Thursday November 30, 2017
TIME: 11:00 p.m.Number of Vehicles Parked
Road SectionOdd (west side)Even (east side)
Walton Avenue to Shelley Drive02
DATE: Saturday December 2, 2017
TIME: 7:00 a.m.Number of Vehicles Parked
Road SectionOdd (west side)Even (east side)
Walton Avenue to Shelley Drive03
DATE: Sunday December 3, 2017
TIME: 4:00 p.m.Number of Vehicles Parked
Road SectionOdd (west side)Even (east side)
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Walton Avenue to Shelley Drive02
Based on the parking study findings the peak usage for on-street parking was three (3)
vehicles occurring on a weekend morning.
Collision History 2014-2017
A three (3) year collision history was completed for Vanier Drive between Walton
Avenue and Shelley Drive which shows a total of five (5) reported collisions. The table
below is a summary of the combined collisions categorized by initial impact type:
Initial Impact Type
Year
SMV unattendedRear EndOtherTotal
20140011
20150101
20162002
20171001
Total3115
The reported collisions along Vanier Drive indicate that there are not a significant
number of collisions. Three (3) collisions occurred involving on-street parked vehicles
being damaged. It is anticipated that with the removal of one side of on-street parking
along with the addition of pavement markings, these types of collisions should be
reduced along this section of Vanier Drive.
Roadway Design and Pavement Markings
The Cycling Master Plan identifies Vanier Drive as a bicycle priority street.
Transportation Services has conducted further analysis into the most appropriate
cycling facility type for Vanier Drive. As a result of this analysis, on-road bike lanes are
being recommended from Walton Avenue to Shelley Drive.
Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) Book 18 - Cycling Facilities provides information and
guidance in regards to appropriate and consistent cycling infrastructure in Ontario. The
manual provides a tool which aids in pre-selecting the desirable bicycle facility type as
well as provides a set of application heuristics that further aids in determining the most
desirable bicycle facility type. Based upon the traffic volume and speeds on Vanier
Drive, it is on the border of providing cyclists with an exclusive space (i.e. bike lanes)
and utilizing a shared space along this corridor. Due to the fact that an elementary
school fronts onto Vanier Drive staff recommend providing dedicated cycling space. In
addition, the identification of Vanier Drive for bicycle lanes in the Cycling Master Plan,
as well as the improved ridership and safety provided by dedicated spaces, lead staff
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to recommend cyclists be provided with an exclusive space (i.e. bike lanes) along this
corridor.
Currently, Vanier Drive is a two lane roadway with a pavement width of approximately
10.2 metres, currently allowing for 5.1 metre lanes in each direction which includes on-
street parking on both sides. The proposed cycling design would consist of 3.1 metre
travel lanes in each direction, 1.5 metre bike lanes in each direction, and a .5 metre
buffer beside a 2.4 metre parking lane as shown on the following page.
Vanier Drive Shelley Drive to Walton Avenue
Public Input
Transportation Services staff held a drop-in format public information center on March
1, 2018 at Kingsdale Community Centre. Affected citizens who attended were provided
information regarding the review, including the proposed design for Vanier Drive. The
meeting was attended by approximately 17 citizens as well as the ward Councillor.
There were two (2) comment sheets submitted following the meeting. Below is a
summary of the comments received:
One (1) comment raised concerns of tree loss and of parking during school
drop off and pick up
One (1) comment was supportive of bike lanes and sidewalks and expressed
the desire for the bike lanes to connect to the Traynor trail
Transportation staff contacted Grand River Transit (GRT), in order to obtain their
feedback and comments regarding the proposed removal of some on-street parking,
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preservation of speed humps and implementation of on-road bicycle lanes. Below are
comments submitted by GRT staff in November, 2017:
With the GRT Network redesign in 2018 busses would be removed from the
part of Vanier Drive that is being reconstructed, so there were no concerns or
comments.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority 3: Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods
Strategic Priority 4: Sustainable Environment & Infrastructure
Strategy 3.2: Create safer streets in our neighbourhoods through new approaches to
traffic calming.
Strategy 4.4: Develop a network of safe, comfortable and linked pedestrian and cycling
facilities and improve year-round maintenance on priority routes.
Strategic Action NB39: Traffic Calming
Strategic Action SE13: Implement the Cycling Master Plan
Strategic Action SE14: Sidewalk Infill
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost of road reconstruction, bicycle lane implementation, speed hump
preservation and sidewalk installation is funded through the 2019 capital budget.
The property owners that are directly affected by sidewalk installation will be required
to maintain the portion that is directly adjacent to their property.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM the agenda in
advance of the council / committee meeting. Residents were notified regarding this
report to recommend the implementation of sidewalk through upcoming reconstruction
projects.
CONSULT Transportation Services initiated public consultation through a
survey/questionnaire for Vanier Drive in January 2018.
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A Public Information Centre (PIC) regarding the reconstruction project and the
st
proposed cycling infrastructure occurred on March 1, 2018 at the Kingsdale
Community Centre.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager
Development Services Department
Attached:
Appendix A Design Impacts of Bike Lanes and Sidewalks
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