HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-010 - Traffic Control - Marl Meadow Drive/CrescentT~HE~E
Development &
Technical Services
REPORT
Report To: Development and Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: 2008 January 7
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 December 13
Report No.: DTS 08-010
Subject: TRAFFIC CONTROL- MARL MEADOW DRIVE/MARL
MEADOW CRESCENT
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That an all-way stop be installed at the easterly intersection of Marl Meadow Drive and
Marl Meadow Crescent; and further,
That the Uniform Traffic Control By-law be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
Transportation Planning has received requests to review the traffic control at the intersection of
Marl Meadow Drive and Marl Meadow Crescent, and the intersection of Biehn Drive and Marl
Meadow Drive. At the present time, Marl Meadow Drive is a through roadway from Templewood
Drive to Biehn Drive, and Biehn Drive is a through roadway from Black Walnut Drive to the south
limit as outlined in the City of Kitchener Uniform Traffic By-law No. 2007-138. The speed limit on
Marl Meadow Drive and Biehn Drive is 50km/h, the uniform speed limit for urban roadways.
REPORT:
According to the City of Kitchener's Municipal Plan, Marl Meadow Drive is designated as a minor
collector roadway. The function of a minor collector roadway is to collect and distribute traffic to
the local roadways. In the case of both Marl Meadow Drive and Marl Meadow Crescent, while
they do service the abutting properties, Marl Meadow Drive also carries an element of traffic
destined elsewhere within the Brigadoon Community. Biehn Drive is designated as a major
collector roadway whose function is to generally collect the traffic from local roadways and to
service the abutting properties as well.
To quantify the traffic conditions at the intersection of Marl Meadow Drive and Marl Meadow
Crescent (easterly intersection), sight lines were measured and the overall safety of the
intersection was analyzed. Immediately to the west of the intersection there is a curve in Marl
Meadow Drive which restricts sight lines for vehicles exiting from Marl Meadow Crescent,
providing only 57m of clear visibility. With an assumed operating speed of 50 km/h, 115m of
visibility is required in order to allow the side street traffic to safely clear the intersection
according to TAC Transportation Association of Canada) guidelines. Therefore, sight lines at
the intersection are insufficient, creating safety concerns for pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Based on the geometric condition of Marl Meadow Drive, Transportation Planning is
recommending that an all-way stop be installed at the intersection of Marl Meadow Drive and
Marl Meadow Crescent (easterly intersection). This will address the concerns that have been
raised by residents of the Brigadoon Community. Warning signs will also be installed to ensure
that new stop control signs will be visible to drivers from an approach distance that allows for
safe stopping.
A traffic study was also conducted for the intersection of Biehn Drive and Marl Meadow Drive on
September 13, 2007, as a result of traffic control concerns that were voiced regarding the
intersection. 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 results are as
follows:
All-Wa Sto Intersection Anal sis
Arterial/Ma 'or Collector/Connector
Warrant
(Min.
Requirements} Results
Avg. Hourly Volume(All
Approaches} 500 605
AND
Avg. Hourly Volume (Minor
Approach} 200 417
AND
Avg. Hourly % Split on Minor
Roadway 30% 12%
UR
Avg. Yearly Collision History 4/yr. 0/yr.
AN-Way Stop Warranted?
NO
As indicated by the results above, along with the existence of adequate sight lines for traffic on
Marl Meadow Drive entering Biehn Drive, an all-way stop is not warranted at this time.
Transportation Planning is recommending that the traffic control at this intersection remain as is.
With new development continuing in the area, Transportation Planning will continue to monitor
this location for possible future intersection control changes.
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The approximate cost for signage, including installation, is $1000 and will be taken from the
existing sign maintenance budget.
John McBride
Director of Transportation Planning
Barry Cronkite
Traffic Technologist
BC
Attach
Ken Carmichael, C.E.T.
Supervisor of Traffic and Parking
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KEY MAP OF AREA
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