HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-09-066 - Right of way control - Nipigon St & Muskoka CrtJ
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REPORT T0: Development & Technical Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: May 11, 2009
SUBMITTED BY: John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning
PREPARED BY: Cameron Bevers, Traffic Technician (741-2369)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Chicopee-Grand River
DATE OF REPORT: April 9, 2009
REPORT NO.: DTS-09-066
SUBJECT: RIGHT-OF-WAY CONTROL - NIPIGON STREET &
MUSKOKA COURT
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That a new stop control be installed on the north leg of Nipigon Street for southbound
traffic approaching Muskoka Court;
That the existing stop controls on Muskoka Court and the east leg of Nipigon Street be
removed 30 days after the installation of the stop sign on Nipigon Street; and further,
That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
Transportation Planning has received a request from a resident to review the existing stop sign
control at the intersection of Nipigon Street and Muskoka Court. According to the resident, the
existing stop sign control is confusing for people who are not familiar with the intersection,
because the side street has right-of-way over traffic on the through street at the intersection.
When the neighbourhood was first developed, there was a temporary construction access that
existed beside #3 Muskoka Court that connected Nipigon Street to nearby Heritage Drive. This
temporary construction access was deemed to be the major street, so it was not placed under
stop sign control. Instead, the stop signs were placed facing Muskoka Court and the east leg of
Nipigon Street. In 1991, the temporary construction access was closed to traffic and the former
road right-of-way was subdivided into building lots and sold. The right-of-way control at the
intersection of Nipigon Street and Muskoka Court was not modified when the temporary
construction access was closed. Consequently, this three leg intersection is now under an
unusual, non-standard right-of-way control, with the intersecting side street having right-of-way
over traffic using the through street.
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REPORT:
In order to address this request, Transportation Planning is proposing to remove the two stop sign
controls facing eastbound and westbound traffic, and replace them with a single stop sign facing
southbound traffic on the north leg of Nipigon Street, as per the attached plan. In order to safely
reverse the intersection right-of-way, Transportation Planning is recommending that a temporary
all-way stop control be placed at this location for a period of 30 days. The Ontario Traffic Manual
recommends the use of a temporary all-way stop control during an intersection right-of-way
reversal, in order to provide a transition period for intersection users to familiarize themselves with
the new intersection controls. Under this practice, the all-way stop control will be removed after a
period of 30 days. One stop sign shall left in place, facing southbound traffic on the north leg on
Nipigon Street only. Traffic approaching the intersection on the north leg of Nipigon Street will
now have to stop and yield right-of-way to any traffic on the through street (coming to or from
Muskoka Court}.
Earlier this year, Transportation Planning notified residents of this proposal by mail. A handful of
residents have questioned Transportation Planning's proposal to remove the temporary all-way
stop control after 30 days. These residents feel that the intersection would be safer if the all-way
stop control was left in place on a permanent basis. However, Transportation Planning does not
recommend a permanent installation of the all-way stop control at this intersection. The
placement of this all-way stop control for a period of 30 days is merely to follow the guidelines for
intersection right-of-way reversals prescribed by the Ontario Traffic Manual.
Council should note that this intersection would not meet the minimum traffic volume requirements
of the City of Kitchener all-way stop control warrant that was approved by Council in November
2001. Leaving the all-way stop control in place on a permanent basis will result in new delays for
all vehicles approaching the intersection, with corresponding increases in pollution levels and
traffic noise. Furthermore, the installation of unwarranted all-way stop controls often results in
increased mid-block vehicle speeds and a general decrease in overall intersection safety for both
drivers and pedestrians, since driver compliance at unwarranted all-way stop sign locations is
extremely low.
This change in stop sign placement will ensure that the right-of-way control at the intersection of
Nipigon Street and Muskoka Court is consistent with the right-of-way control in place at nearly all
other three-leg "T" intersections in the City of Kitchener. It is anticipated that this change will
increase the safety of drivers and pedestrians at this intersection and reduce the likelihood of
collisions resulting from driver confusion. Additionally, the change in right-of-way control will allow
the installation of improved signs directing traffic to Muskoka Court from Nipigon Street. At this
time, it is not possible to install any additional street signs for Muskoka Court, because of the
positioning of the existing stop sign facing the east leg of Nipigon Street.
COMMUNICATIONS:
All residents who live adjacent to the intersection of Nipigon Street and Muskoka Court have
been notified in writing of the proposed right-of-way changes at the intersection. Residents
have also been notified of the DTS meeting date.
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The approximate cost for installing and removing the appropriate signs and pavement markings
at the intersection will be $500. These funds will be procured from the existing sign
maintenance budget.
CB
Attach.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Interim General Manager
Development and Technical Services Department
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