HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-011 - Traffic Control - Blockline Road/ Laurentian DriveT~HE~E
Development &
Technical Services
REPORT
Report To: Development and Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: 2008 January 07
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 17
Report No.: DTS 08-011
Subject: TRAFFIC CONTROL- BLOCK LINE ROAD/LAURENTIAN
DRIVE
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That an all-way stop be installed at the intersection of Block Line Road and Laurentian
Drive; and further,
That the Uniform Traffic Control By-law be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
Transportation Planning has received several requests to review traffic control at the
intersection of Block Line Road and Laurentian Drive. At the present time, traffic on Laurentian
Drive stops and yields right-of-way to traffic on Block Line Road, as outlined in the City of
Kitchener Uniform Traffic By-law No. 2007-138. The speed limit on Block Line Road is posted at
50 km/h, the uniform speed limit for urban roadways.
REPORT:
According to the City of Kitchener's Municipal Plan, Block Line Road is designated as a secondary
arterial roadway. The primary function of a secondary arterial roadway is to carry large volumes
of traffic between neighbourhoods and other arterials. Laurentian Drive is designated as a minor
collector roadway. The function of a minor collector roadway is to collect and distribute
community traffic between local streets and other collector roadways.
A traffic study was conducted for the intersection of Block Line Road and Laurentian Drive on
April 25, 2007, as a result of concerns that were voiced regarding the intersection and
pedestrian and traffic related issues. 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} 500 713
AND
Avg. Hourly Volume (Minor
A roach} 200 220
AND
Avg. Hourly % Split on Minor
Roadwa 30% 29%
UR
Avg. Yearly Collision History 4/yr. 0.67/yr.
AN-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 traffic split was within one percent of being warranted, which
should allow the intersection to function properly under all-way stop conditions. Additionally,
Laurentian Drive is a main access point to both communities which it services, and the
installation of an all-way stop will help with access to/from these communities. Transportation
Planning is therefore recommending that an all-way stop be installed at the intersection of Block
Line Road and Laurentian Drive. Centre islands will also be installed in order to provide a
secondary stop sign in both directions on Block Line Road, due to its width.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The approximate cost for signage, including installation, is $750 and will be taken from the
existing sign maintenance budget. The cost of the islands is approximately $4000 and will be
taken from the 2008 Engineering Rehabilitation budget.
John McBride
Director of Transportation Planning
Barry Cronkite
Traffic Technologist
Ken Carmichael, C.E.T.
Supervisor of Traffic and Parking
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KEY MAP OF AREA
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