HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-120 - School Bus Loading Zone At Williamsburg Public School1
KKR - . • -
Development &
Technical Services
Report To: Development and Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: August 13, 2007
Submitted By: John P.McBride
Prepared By: Ronald Schirm
Ward(s) Involved: Ward 4
Date of Report: July 10, 2007
Report No.: DTS 07-120
Subject: SCHOOL BUS LOADING ZONE AT WILLIAMSBURG
PUBLIC SCHOOL
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That a School Bus Loading Zone be established in the bus bay on Commonwealth Crescent
from a point 80 metres south of Commonwealth Street to a point 46 metres south thereof,
and further,
That the Uniform Traffic Bylaw be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
The Waterloo Region District School Board will be opening a new elementary school on
Commonwealth Drive in the Activa Subdivision on September 4, 2007. Further information
regarding the opening of the new school was provided in DTS Report 07-088 and was
presented to the Development and Technical Services Committee on May 28, 2007.
REPORT:
In September 2007 Williamsburg Public School will be opening in the South Ward. As part of the
design of the new school, any school bus activity will be accommodated on Commonwealth
Crescent as opposed to on site. To facilitate this, a bus bay has been constructed on
Commonwealth Crescent in front of the school. From an operational standpoint it is more
effective to keep school bus activity in the right of way, where signs and regulations are
enforceable by City By-law Officers. School Bus Loading Zone signs on site are not
enforceable.
At this point there is a special needs bus that will be using the facility on a daily basis. As well,
this location is intended for school bus pick up/drop off for special events, trips, etc. and is not
intended for parent drop off/pick up at any time. There will be school zone no stopping signs
installed across the entire school frontage, including the school bus loading zone, to reinforce
this.
Further, when in a School Bus Loading Zone, school busses are not required to display their
stop signs or flashing lights when loading and unloading passengers. With the installation of the
School Bus Loading Zone on Commonwealth Crescent traffic will not be disrupted by this
activity.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost of the installation two school bus loading zone signs is $200 and will be drawn from the
sign installation account.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The Planning Department at the Waterloo District School Board and Fran Oppertshauser,
Principal of Williamsburg School are aware of this proposed installation and in agreement as to
how it is intended to operate. Parents and students of Williamsburg School will be notified,
pending Council approval, of this regulation and their responsibilities at an open house at the
school late in August. As well, By-law Enforcement staff will be on hand during the first week of
school to inform parents as to the signed regulations and where alternatives exist for parents
who are driving students to and from school. Finally, contained within the School Route Maps
for Williamsburg Public School, which will be distributed to each student at the start of the
School Year, will be information regarding where vehicular drop off/pick up is permitted.
CONCLUSION:
The installed bus bay in front of Williamsburg Public School is intended for school bus and
board related transportation only. In order to ensure that this facility is kept free for its intended
purpose a School Bus Loading Zone is necessary.
Ronald K. Schirm, Supervisor John P. McBride, Director
Crossing Guards Transportation Planning
Transportation Planning
RKS
Attach.
DTS Report 07-120
Williamsburg Public School
School Bus Loading Zone
Location of Williamsburg Public Schoo