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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-08-185 - Right Turn on Red Prohibition - Gaukel St at King St WREPORT Report To: DTS Committee Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Prepared By: Ward(s~ Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: 2008 November 17 John McBride Jeramie Lewis WEST -VICTORIA PARK - (WARD 6) 2008 October 30 DTS 08-185 Subject: RIGHT TURN ON RED PROHIBITION - GAUKEL STREET @ KING STREET WEST RECO~~ENDATIONS: That right turns on red be prohibited at any time on Gaukel Street at the intersection of King Street West; and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly. BACKGROUND: The City of Kitchener has received a request from Grand River Transit to prohibit vehicles from turning right on a red signal indication from Gaukel Street to King Street West. According to the issue raised, vehicles regularly stop at the stop bar which is set back of the intersection to allow transit vehicles the turning radius they require, then slowly move ahead of the stop bar to obtain clear sight lines, and encroach on the intersection during the red phase, thereby reducing the effective roadway width. This impedes on the turning radius of transit vehicles turning right from King Street West to Gaukel Street, which in turn, also creates a traffic and pedestrian safety concern. At the present time, as per the highway Traffic Act, vehicles are permitted to turn right from Gaukel Street to King Street West on a red signal indication, as long as vehicle stops and right-of-way is provided to King Street West. REPORT: Transportation Planning conducted a field investigation confirming the constraints on transit vehicles turning right from King Street West to Gaukel Street during the permissive phase, during which time right turns are being made from Gaukel Street to King Street West. We have also contacted the Region of Waterloo, Traffic Signals Section to determine if they had any concerns regarding the proposed prohibition of right turns on red. The Region has no concerns at this time. Prohibiting the right turn from Gaukel Street to King Street West on a red signal indication will address the concerns raised by Grand River Transit, fu~hermore increase pedestrian safety and improve operations at the signal. Transportation Planning recommends prohibiting the right turn on red from Gaukel Street to King Street West and that the uniform Traffic By- law be amended accordingly. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The approximate cost for signage, including installation, for the roadway is $250 and will betaken from the existing sign maintenance budget. John McBride, Director Transportation Planning Jeramie Lewis, Traffic Technologist Transportation Planning JL Attach. Ken Carmichael, C.E.T. Supervisor of Traffic & Parking 2 DTS-08-185 Gaukel Street at Kina Street West 3