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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-2024-154 - Cycling and Trails Master Plan Spot Fixes Development Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee DATE OF MEETING: June 3, 2024 SUBMITTED BY: Barry Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services, 519-741-2200 ext. 7738 PREPARED BY: Darren Kropf, Manager, Active Transportation and Development, 519-741-2200 ext. 7314 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All Wards DATE OF REPORT: May 23, 2024 REPORT NO.: DSD-2024-154 SUBJECT: Cycling and Trails Master Plan spot fixes in 2024 RECOMMENDATION: That staff be directed to implement the proposed 2024 Cycling and Trails Master Plan spot fixes as described in DSD-2024-154; and, That pedestrian crossovers (PXOs) be installed on the Laurentian Trail at Laurentian Drive, Williamsburg Road, Strasburg Road, and Lucerne Drive; and, That stopping be prohibited at any time 15 metres from the crossing at each approach, and ten (10) metres immediately following each crossing; and, That a raised crossing be constructed at the Laurentian Trail at Lucerne Drive; and further, That the Uniform Traffic Bylaw be amended accordingly. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: The purpose of this report is to share with City Council the identified spot fixes that are recommended for installation in 2024 to improve cycling and trail safety and connectivity. The key finding of this report is staff is proposing trail access upgrades (curb cuts), trail signing and marking upgrades, trail crossing upgrades, bike parking, trail counters, and wayfinding and navigational sign installations in an effort to improve safety for all modes of travel. The financial implications are that $200,000 will be dedicated to spot fixes for safety and route connectivity, with an additional $50,000 dedicated for wayfinding installations and additional spot fix improvements in 2025. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Community engagement includedconsulting with over 3,200 residents during the development of the Cycling and Trails Master Plan (CTMP). People identified locations that are uncomfortable and/or unsafe for people walking, rolling and cycling. Staff also received individual spot fix suggestions since CTMP and has had on-going engagement with the Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee (ATTAC). This report supports the delivery of the Strategic Plan action item "Building a Connected City Together" through implementing "Localized Transportation Safety Improvement Program". BACKGROUND: In October 2020Cycling and Trails Master Plan through report INS-20-015. The CTMP includes 35 strategic actions in three areas of focus: Connections, Experience and Culture. Action 1A-4 calls for the City of Kitchener to develop a spot improvement program and make safety and network connectivity improvements throughout the City of Kitchener. Information gathered during the engagement phase of the Cycling and Trails Master Plan, public and stakeholder input was used to identify trail deficiencies, intersections and crossing locations that are uncomfortable and/or unsafe for people walking, cycling, and rolling. The CTMP also identified a timeline for these spot fix improvements; defined by short, medium and long term; as can be seen in figure ES-2 Cycling and Trail Network Prioritiesof the plan. In the 2024 budget process, and in support of the CTMP and Vision Zero, Kitchener City Council allocated additional funding for seasonal council-directed traffic calming measures and improvements in the safety and connectivity of road, active transportation and trail networks. Staff prioritized potential projects based on Vision Zero risk factors, public feedback, and route connectivity priorities identified during public engagement for the Cycling and Trails Master Plan (2020). REPORT: To support safety and connectivity improvements, several site-fixes been identified that focus on improved trail crossings and trail connectivity. In addition to the spot fixes recommended in the CTMP, locations were also identified by the Active Transportation & Trails Advisory Committee (ATTAC), as well as by City Councillors during bike rides in their respective wards in 2023. Transportation Services staff also program where community members can identify short-term bike parking locations on City property to help people make their everyday journeys by bike. The online form can be found at bikekitchener.ca and the recommended install locations are included within the 2024 spot fix program. The table below summarizes the recommended spot fix program for installation in 2024: Recommended Spot Fix Improvements - 2024 Ward Location Description Cost 1 Trail access at Install curb cut for accessible access to $7,000 Rothsay Avenue and trail Matthew Street 2 Trail access at Idle Install curb cut for accessible access to $7,000 Creek Drivetrail 2 Dom Cardillo Trail at Install an eco-counter to gather year-round $2,000 River Road pedestrian and cyclist data 2 Dom Cardillo Trail Install streetname blades for better $3,000 accesses orientation within the neighbourhood trail network 3 Homer Watson Install additional signs and markings to $2,000 Boulevard multi-use bring greater awareness to trail and trail driveway conflicts with poor visibility 3 Franklin Road at Pavement marking adjustments to $10,000 Kingsway Drive improve traffic operations following bike lane installation 4 Streetname blades in Install streetname blades for better $2,000 Willowlake Park and orientation within the neighbourhood trail Homer Watson Park network 5 Streetname blades in Install streetname blades for better $2,000 Parkvale Park orientation within the neighbourhood trail network 5 Trail connection Install curb cut for accessible access to $7,000 between Watercress trail Court and Ottawa Street 6 Laurentian Trail Install pedestrian crossovers at all city-$100,000 crossings owned crossings, upgrade refuge island to meet accessibility requirements at Strasburg Road, install a raised crossing at Lucerne Drive and install streetname blades 6 Trail access at Install curb cut for accessible access to $7,000 Country Hill Drive trail 8 Trail access at Install curb cut for accessible access to $7,000 Cloverdale Crescent trail 8 Henry Sturm Trail at Install an eco-counter to gather year-round $2,000 Lawrence Avenue pedestrian and cyclist data 8 Belmont Village Install five bike racks on north-end of $5,000 business district 9 Iron Horse Trail at Repair broken counter and upgrade to $3,000 Cherry Street model that can count e-scooters in addition to pedestrians and cyclists 9/10 King Street boulevard Install signage and markings to better $11,000 multi-use trail between delineate the trail from the transit stations Wellington Street and and reduce conflicts between pedestrians Victoria Street and cyclists 10 Weber Street Install signage, markings and crossrides to $22,000 boulevard multi-use bring greater awareness to conflicts at trail between Victoria driveways and minor street crossings Street and Wilhelm Street 10 Wellington Street at Install a bike rack to serve transit and local $1,000 Ahrens Streetbusinesses TOTAL $200,000 A map of all proposed locations can be found in Appendix A. In addition to the recommended spot fix program, staff are recommending that approximately $50,000 of the dedicated funding be used for wayfinding projects that would contribute to the Strategic Plan action item for city-wide active transportation routes. This work is underway and draft routes will be shared for public input and with City Council this fall. The initial route for wayfinding sign deployment is planned for Wards 7, 8 and 9, between the Boardwalk and Downtown. Spot fix projects along this route would also be identified and prioritized in 2025, to ensure the route is safe and comfortable for all ages and abilities. Laurentian Trail Crossing Upgrades Laurentian Trail is an open space trail providing recreational opportunities and transportation options, serving several high pedestrian and cyclist destinations, including schools, McLennan Park, and retail. Improving the trail crossings was identified by the community as and is supported by the Vision Zero network screening analysis. More specifically pedestrian crossovers (PXOs) were requested. Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) Book 15: Pedestrian Crossing Treatments provides guidance for the selection and design of PXOs. Pedestrian Crossovers (PXOs) provide pedestrians with crossing opportunities by requiring motorists to yield to pedestrians within the crosswalk. The presence of a pedestrian in the crosswalk requires the driver of a vehicle approaching the crossover to stop before entering the crossover. See Appendix C for PXO types proposed in this report. The following four Laurentian Trail crossing locations were studied in 2023/2024 and staff are the installation of a PXO at minimum in each location (warrant information included in Attachment B Laurentian Trail PXO Warrants): Street crossing Current conditions Proposed improvements Williamsburg Rd Raised, uncontrolled Install PXO Level 2 Type D crossing Laurentian Dr Raised, uncontrolled Install PXO Level 2 Type D crossing Strasburg Rd Substandard refuge Retrofit refuge island to meet AODA island, Crossing requirements, and install PXO Level 2 Guard location Type B (Crossing Guard location to remain) Lucerne Dr Uncontrolled crossing Install raised crossing, improve trail alignment and install PXO Level 2 Type D This addresses the Laurentian Trail crossings that fall within municipal jurisdiction. It is worth noting that the Laurentian Trail crossing of Westmount Road East is under the jurisdiction of the Region of Waterloo. Staff will continue to discuss this location with Regional staff for potential improvements in the future. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports This report supports the delivery of the Strategic Plan action item FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Capital Budget In the 2024 budget process, Kitchener City Council allocated an additional $400,000, funded from the tax capital reserve, for additional seasonal council-directed traffic calming measures and improvements in the safety and connectivity of road, active transportation and trail networks. In DSD-2024-073 Vision Zero Project Update, staff reported that $150,000 of that funding was allocated to solar powered radar signs and seasonal roadway narrowings, leaving $250,000 for trail safety and connectivity improvements, as described within this report. Operating Budget The proposed improvements will have on-going operating costs related to the life cycle maintenance for signs, pavement markings, asphalt repair, etc. These costs will be referred to the 2025 budget process. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM the council / committee meeting. CONSULT Over 3,200 residents were engaged during the development of the Cycling and Trails Master Plan. This included in-person and online engagement where residents were asked to identify specific spot fix locations that reduce barriers to their cycling and trail use. Individual suggestions since the adoption of the CTMP have also been logged and investigated, and are reflected in the proposed project list. COLLABORATE - The Active Transportation & Trails Advisory Committee shared a list of desired trail curb cuts for spot fix implementation in 2022. Also in 2022, ATTAC submitted a memo to staff proposing deploy more bike parking. A draft of DSD-2024-154 was shared with the Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee on Tuesday May 14, additional investment in trail safety and connectivity through the 2024 Budget process and ATTAC is in full support of the list of spot fix projects presented in DSD-2024- PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: DSD-2024-073 Vision Zero Project Update INS-20-015 2020 Cycling and Trails Master Plan APPROVED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A Spot fix locations map Attachment B - Laurentian Trail PXO Warrants Attachment C PXO Types Attachment A Spot fix locations map Attachment B Laurentian Trail PXO Warrants Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) Book 15: Pedestrian Crossing Treatments provides guidance for the selection and design of PXOs. PXOs are recommended when the following conditions are met: 100 or more pedestrians observed crossing over an 8-hour period; 750 vehicles per 8-hour period; No other controlled crossing within 200 m; Adherence to Ontario Traffic Manual Book 15 lane configuration and traffic volume conditions; and There are four types of PXOs, as directed by OTM Book 15. See Attachment C for the two types recommended in this report. The distinguishing feature is Type B includes flashing beacons activated by pedestrians with a push button while Type D does not include the beacons. Both types grant legal right of way to pedestrians, but the flashing beacons are used on higher volume streets for greater visibility and awareness to drivers. WILLIAMSBURG ROAD Justification Required Actual Conditions Staff Value Value Satisfied? recommendation 8-hour Pedestrian Volume at > 100 102 YES proposed crossover location pedestrians 8-hour Two-way Vehicle > 750 979 YES PXO Level 2 Volume vehicles Type D Distance from Nearest > 200 350 m YES Controlled Crossing metres LAURENTIAN DRIVE Justification Required Actual Conditions Staff Value Value Satisfied? recommendation 8-hour Pedestrian Volume at > 100 229 YES proposed crossover location pedestrians 8-hour Two-way Vehicle > 750 1446 YES PXO Level 2 Volume vehicles Type D Distance from Nearest > 200 750 m YES Controlled Crossing metres STRASBURG ROAD Justification Required Actual Conditions Staff Value Value Satisfied? recommendation 8-hour Pedestrian Volume at > 100 178 YES proposed crossover location pedestrians 8-hour Two-way Vehicle > 750 5238 YES PXO Level 2 Volume vehicles Type B Distance from Nearest > 200 420 m YES Controlled Crossing metres LUCERNE DRIVE JustificationRequired Actual Conditions Staff Value Value Satisfied? recommendation 8-hour Pedestrian Volume at > 100 231 YES proposed crossover location pedestrians 8-hour Two-way Vehicle > 750 172 NO PXO Level 2 Volume vehicles Type D Distance from Nearest > 200 50 m NO Controlled Crossing metres If all conditions are not met, a PXO can still be warranted based on engineering judgement . Further, Lucerne Drive includes many vulnerable street users given the proximity to an elementary school. Given low traffic volumes, there is little risk of traffic from the stop sign at Selkirk Dr backing up into the crosswalk. City staff support a PXO at this location. ATTACHMENT C: PXO TYPES Level 2 Pedestrian Crossover Treatments Type B (OTM Book 15 Pedestrian Crossover Treatments) Level 2 Pedestrian Crossover Treatments Type D (OTM Book 15 Pedestrian Crossover Treatments)