HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-19-046 - Doon South Drive Traffic Calming - Follow-up ReviewREPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:March 18, 2019
SUBMITTED BY:Barry Cronkite, Director Transportation Services
(519)741-2200 x7378
PREPARED BY:Lou Slijepcevic, Traffic Project Coordinator, (519) 741-2200 x7153
WARD(S) INVOLVED:Ward 4
DATE OF REPORT:March 1, 2019
REPORT NO.:DSD-19-046
SUBJECT:Doon South Drive Traffic Calming Follow-up Review
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RECOMMENDATION:
That the traffic calming measures (two(2) speed cushions, two (2) intersection narrowings, one
(1)pedestrian refuge island and one (1) intersection improvement) located on Doon South Drive
between Homer Watson Boulevard and Robert Ferrie Drive remain in place on a permanent basis.
BACKGROUND:
Transportation Services receivedrequests from residents of Doon South Drivein the past to review the
existing traffic conditions on Doon South Drive.Theprimary concerns were vehicle speeds,
traffic volume and overall road user safety. In 2014, a traffic calming review was initiated for Doon South
Drivewith the intent to reducevehicle speed, thereby increasing safety for all road users.
In May 2017, Council approved report INS-17-029 which recommended a traffic calming plan for the
roadway. The traffic calming measures were subsequently installed in the 2017 construction season less
one of the speed cushions due to limited viable locations on-street.
REPORT:
Transportation Services conducted a follow-up review of the traffic calming measures installed on Doon
South Drive. The intent of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of the traffic calming plan and ensure
that the measures have successfully mitigated the traffic issues identified by area residents.
DATA
As part of thefollow-up review, Transportation Services staff collected updated traffic volume and speed
data to determine the effectiveness of the traffic calming measures installed on Doon South Drive. The
results are as follows:
***This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance.
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The table above shows a reduction in the 85th percentile speed along the entire study area of Doon
South Drive of 4.0% or 2.5 km/h and 10.5% or 6.5 km/h. This data indicatesthat the measures are having
their desired effect on driver behaviour. The increased vehicular volume in the area can be attributed to
the development of the surrounding subdivision over the past four years, but is consistent with the volume
capacity this roadway is designed to accommodate.
In the three (3) years prior to the implementation of traffic calming measures, there were nine (9) motor
vehicle collisions along Doon South Drive. This yielded a collision rate of 3.0 collisions per year. In the
past year since implementation, from a period beginning on November 2017 to December 18,there have
been two (2) motor vehicle collisions, resulting in a collision rate of 1.85 collisions per year. Overall, this
demonstrates a reduction in the collision rate for the subject roadways by approximately 1.15 collisions
per year, further demonstrating the effectiveness of the installed traffic calming measures.
RESIDENT SUPPORT
Transportation Services staff conducted a follow-up neighbourhood survey as part of the traffic calming
plan for DoonSouth Drive. In January 2019, a survey package was mailed out to all affected area
residents within the general project area in order to gauge community support for the permanent 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 is as follows:
Doon South DriveResidents
In favour of maintaining the existing traffic calming measures:17 (80%)
In favour of removing the existing traffic calming measures: 3(20%)
TOTAL:20out of 149 (13% responded)
Based on the results above, it is evident thatwhile there was a low response rate to the survey,there is
neighbourhood support to maintain the existing traffic calming measures on Doon South Drive.The lack
of response may be that residents have become accustomed to the measures and/or see traffic as less
of a concern.Accordingly, Transportation Services recommends that the existing traffic calming measure
remain in place on a permanent basis.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority:3: Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods.
Strategy:3:2 Create safer streets in our neighbourhoods through new traffic
calming approaches.
Strategic Action:NB39 Traffic Calming
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There is no cost associated with the recommendation.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM Directly affected residents of the DoonSouth Drive traffic calming review have received
information and communication regarding this review since 2014. Residents were made aware of the
report to Committee and Council through a mail-out in February 2019.
CONSULT The Doon South Drive trafficcalming review began with an initiation survey in 2014. Two
(2) Public Information Centres were held to gain input at key stages of the traffic calming review process,
including feedback on the preferred solution. In January 2019, Transportation Services staff mailed a
follow-up survey to all affected residents along Doon South Drive to determine support for the preferred
plan.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager
Development Services Department
Attached:
Appendix A Traffic Calming Plan
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Appendix A: Traffic Calming Plan
Doon South Drive Homer Watson Boulevard to Robert Ferrie Drive
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