HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-19-069 - Patricia Avenue Traffic Calming ReviewREPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
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DATE OF MEETING:April 15, 2019
SUBMITTED BY:Barry Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services,
519-741-2200 ext. 7738
PREPARED BY:Eric Bentzen-Bilkvist, Traffic Technologist, (519) 741-2200 x7372
WARD (S) INVOLVED:Ward 9
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DATE OF REPORT:March 25, 2019
REPORT NO.:DSD-19-069
SUBJECT:Patricia Avenue Traffic CalmingReview
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
That a speed hump be installed on Patricia Avenue between Sandra Avenue and Jack Avenue;
That a raised pedestrian crossingbe installed on Patricia Avenue at the Henry Strum Greenway
trail crossing, between Metzloff Avenue and Highland Road West;
That a Level 2 Type D pedestrian crossover be incorporated into the raised trail crossing, 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 adopted 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 February 2018, Council approved report INS-18-003Traffic Calming Priority -2018in which staff
recommended that a traffic calming review be conducted for Patricia Avenue.
REPORT:
In February 2018, Transportation Services conducted a survey regardingthe initiation ofa traffic calming
review for Patricia Avenue. Thissurveymet the minimumrequired threshold and as a result staff
proceededwith a Public Information Centre(PIC), held in May 2018. 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.AsecondPIC was held in November 2018after receiving feedback from residents
through the first PICand developing a preliminary preferred design;which included a speed hump
between Sandra Avenue and Jack Avenue and a raised trail crossing at the Henry Strum Greenway with
*** 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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an incorporatedLevel 2 Type D pedestrian crossover. The intent of the second PIC was to review
resident feedback,present the preferred design option as determined by the traffic calming steering
committee,and answer questions and comments raised by residents.No changes were made to the
preliminary preferred design after PIC 2 due to general support of the plan by the affected residents.
Affected agencies werealsocontactedand citedno concerns regarding the proposed traffic calming
plan.
In January 2019, Transportation Services staff mailed a final survey to all affected area residents along
Patricia Avenue. 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 52propertiessurveyed within the boundaries of the study area. The results of this
survey are as follows:
Residents in favour of the recommended plan:15(75%of 20votes)
Residents opposed to the recommended plan: 5(25%of 20votes)
Total 20responded out of 52(39%)
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. Additionally only 2
measures are being proposed, one of which is being recommended to enhance the overall trail user
experience. Based on the indicated support, TransportationServices recommends that the proposed
traffic calming plan be implemented. The recommended changes would ultimately create a safer
environment for roadand trialusers, while not impactingon-street parking.
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:
The total cost of implementing the traffic calming plan is approximately $40,000 andwill be taken from
Transportation Services Traffic Calming capital budget account.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM Directly affected residents of the Patricia Avenuetraffic calming review have received
information regarding this review since February 2018.Notification of both Public Information Centres
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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,
conclusion of each PIC.
CONSULT Patricia Avenue traffic calming review began withan initiation survey in February 2018. 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 January 2019, Transportation Services staff
mailed a final survey to all affected residents along Patricia Avenue and the surrounding neighbourhood
to determine support for the preferred plan.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager of Development Services,
DevelopmentServicesDepartment
Attached:
Appendix A Traffic Calming Plan
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Appendix A: Traffic Calming Plan
Patricia Avenue Victoria Street S. to Highland Road W.
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1)Speed hump at 8 Sandra Avenue, between Jack Avenue and Sandra Avenue.
2)Raised crosswalk at the trail crossing between Metzloff Avenue and Highland Road West,
supplemented by a Level 2 Type D pedestrian crossover.
Study Area
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Speed Hump Measure 1
Raised Crosswalk Measure 2
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Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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