Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-028 - Traffic Control - Block Line Road / Rittenhouse Road..,, ~~~~ development & Technical Services REPORT Report To: Development and Technical Services Committee Date of Meeting: 2008 February 11 Submitted By: John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning Prepared By: Barry Cronkite, Traffic Technologist X741-2738} Wards}Involved: South Ward (4} Date of Report: 2008 January 28 Report No.: DTS 08-028 Subject: TRAFFIC CONTROL -BLOCK LINE ROAD/RITTENHOUSE ROAD RECOMMENDATION: That the existing traffic control at the intersection of Block Line Road and Rittenhouse Road remain, with traffic on Rittenhouse Road being required to stop and yield to through traffic on Block Line Road. BACKGROUND: Transportation Planning has been requested to review traffic control at the intersection of Block Line Road and Rittenhouse Road. At the present time, traffic on Rittenhouse Road 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 both Block Line Road and Rittenhouse Road is 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. Rittenhouse Road 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. Typically, when minor collectors intersect with arterial roadways, some delay can be expected as the intersections must handle a significant volume of traffic. A traffic study was conducted for the intersection of Block Line Road and Rittenhouse Road on June 27, 2007, as a result of concerns that were voiced regarding the intersection 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-Way Stop Intersection Analysis Arterial/Major Collector/Connector Warrant (Min. Requirements} Results Avg. Hourly Volume(All Approaches} 500 919 AND Avg. Hourly Volume (Minor Approach} 200 151 AND Avg. Hourly % Split on Minor Roadway 30% 17% OR Avg. Yearly Collision History 4/yr. 1.67/yr. All-Way Stop Warranted? NO Transportation Planning has reviewed the intersection, and an all-way stop is not warranted at the intersection of Block Line Road and Rittenhouse Road based on vehicle volume, split and/or collisions. To further quantify traffic conditions at the intersection, a delay study was conducted in the PM peak hours from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM), when volumes are highest along Block Line Road. The results of the study indicate that vehicles turning left from Rittenhouse Road onto Block Line Road wait an average of 25 seconds, with the longest recorded delay being 81 seconds within the two hour period. While this does indicate that there is some delay experienced at the intersection, it does not warrant an all-way stop. During the two hour delay study, 65 vehicles turned left from Rittenhouse Road, which is minimal turning volume. The delay created to traffic on Block Line Road as a result of an all-way stop would greatly outweigh the delay currently experienced by vehicles turning left from Rittenhouse Road. Vehicle emissions account for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario. These emissions increase when vehicles are accelerated and decelerated. It is important to minimize unnecessary stops since steady speeds increase fuel economy and reduce vehicle emissions. Unwarranted stop signs not only cause motorists delay by unnecessarily requiring them to stop, but also reduce the efficiency of our transportation system which directly results in increased air pollution. According to environmental studies conducted in the United States, 24 pounds of additional carbon monoxide is created for every 1000 vehicles delayed by an unwarranted stop sign based on a 35 mph X56 km/h) travel speed. The AADT on Block Line Road is approximately 12000 vehicles per day and, therefore, to delay all of these vehicles would equate to approximately 288 pounds of additional carbon monoxide created at the intersection daily. The extension of Block Line Road to Courtland Avenue is also scheduled for construction in 2009/2010, which will provide a significant east/west link across the City. As a result of the 2 extension, volumes along Block Line Road will undoubtedly increase, exacerbating the environmental and traffic safety concerns related to unwarranted all-way stops. It should also be noted that of the recorded collisions at the intersection within the past three years, no collisions were related to vehicles turning left from Rittenhouse Road, which indicates that an all-way stop, if installed would be based on convenience rather than safety, and could, in fact, have a negative impact on overall safety at the intersection. With the installation of a warranted all-way stop scheduled for the intersection of Block Line Road and Laurentian Drive, there will be an alternative all-way stop controlled access from the community to Block Line Road that will provide a safe and efficient connection. Additionally, Tillsley Drive and Rockwood Road both connect to Westmount Road/Fischer Hallman Road, so traffic wishing to travel westbound on Westmount Road actually has numerous connections within the community to choose from rather than Rittenhouse Road. Therefore, as a result of the traffic studies performed at the intersection of Block Line Road and Rittenhouse Road, and given the existing connections to Westmount Road/Fischer Hallman Road, Transportation Planning is recommending that traffic control remain as is (Rittenhouse Road stops and yields right of way to traffic on Block Line Road). FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: N/A John McBride Director of Transportation Planning Barry Cronkite Traffic Technologist Ken Carmichael, C.E.T. Supervisor of Traffic and Parking 3 KEY MAP OF AREA 4