HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-129 - Traffic Control - Rittenhouse Road/Tuerr Drive1
KKR - . • -
Development &
Technical Services
Report To: Development and Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: 2007 August 13
Submitted By: John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning
Prepared By: Barry Cronkite, Traffic Technologist (741-2738)
Ward(s) Involved: South Ward (4)
Date of Report: 2007 July 31
Report No.: DTS 07-129
Subject: TRAFFIC CONTROL - RITTENHOUSE ROAD/TUERR
DRIVE
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That an all-way stop be installed at the intersection of Rittenhouse Road and Tuerr Drive;
and further,
That the Uniform Traffic Control By-law be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
Transportation Planning has received a request to review traffic control at the intersection of
Rittenhouse Road and Tuerr Drive. At the present time, the section of Rittenhouse Road under
review is a through roadway from Block Line Road to Folkstone Crescent as outlined in the City
of Kitchener Uniform Traffic By-law No. 2000-159. The speed limit on Rittenhouse Road is posted
at 50km/h, the uniform speed limit for urban roadways.
REPORT:
According to the City of Kitchener's Official Plan, Rittenhouse Road is considered a major
collector roadway. The primary function of a major collector roadway is to carry through traffic
between neighbourhoods. However, Rittenhouse Road is primarily a residential street carrying
residential traffic within the Country Hills West Community, and acts more as a minor collector
roadway rather than a major collector. Tuerr Drive is a local roadway that is generally intended
to serve the abutting properties, however, it does carry some community traffic as well.
A traffic study was conducted for the intersection of Rittenhouse Road and Tuerr Drive on April
25, 2007, as a result of concerns that were voiced regarding the intersection and pedestrian and
traffic related concerns. The results of the traffic study were then compared to the City of
Kitchener all-way stop warrant, which is a set of guidelines based on the all-way stop warrants
established by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and the Ministry of Transportation.
The minor collector/local warrant was used, as opposed to the major collector warrant to be
representative of roadway operating characteristics. The results are as follows:
All-Wa Sto Intersection Anal sis
Local/Minor Collector
Warrant
(Min.
Re uirements) Results
Highest Hour Volume 350 524
S lit on Minor Roadwa 25% 19%
OR
Avg. Hourly Volume(AIl
A roaches) 250 336
Avg. Hourly % Split on Minor
Roadway 25% 22%
Avg. Yearly Collision History 3/yr. 0.67/yr.
All-Way Stop Warranted?
NO
Transportation Planning has reviewed the intersection, and although the warrant was not met as
a result of side street traffic, the study does indicate that it was very close. Additionally, the
warrant does not take into account traffic accessing the Community Centre which has an access
directly across from the intersection of Tuerr Drive. The traffic split, when combined with the
presence of the Community Centre access, should allow the intersection to function properly
under all-way stop conditions. Furthermore, an all-way stop will help to address pedestrian
crossing and access to the Community Centre which have also been indicated as concerns by
the residents within the community. Transportation Planning is therefore recommending that an
all-way stop be installed at the intersection of Rittenhouse Road and Tuerr Drive.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The approximate cost for signage, including installation, is $750 and will be taken from the
existing sign maintenance budget.
John McBride Ken Carmichael, C.E.T.
Director of Transportation Planning Supervisor of Traffic and Parking
Barry Cronkite
Traffic Technologist
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