HomeMy WebLinkAboutEGD-018-07
REPORT
ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Date: Monday, February 5,2007 Resolution #: e,PA....o'l7-0 7
Report #: EGD-018-07
File #:
By-law #:
Subject:
INTERSECTION OF EDWARD STREET AND RUDELL ROAD,
NEWCASTLE, REQUESTED ALL-WAY STOP
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report EGD-018-07 be received;
2. THAT the request for an all-way stop at the "T" intersection of Edward Street and
Rudell Road be denied; and
3. THAT staff monitor the intersection of Edward Street and Rudell Road after the
first phase of the Newcastle Recreation Complex is completed and additional
homes are constructed in the area, to determine if traffic controls or other safety
measures are required.
Respectfully by,
6--&--.:-~
Submitted by: A. S. Cannella, C.E.T.
Director of Engineering Services
Reviewed by: Franklin Wu
Chief Administrative Officer
ASC/LJB/jo
January 23, 2007
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVlLLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623.3379 F 905-623-9282
Report #EGD-01S-o7
Page 2
1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 The Engineering Services Department was first contacted by a local area
resident during August 2001 regarding a speed concern on Rudell Road,
between Durham Hwy. 2 and Edward Street (see Attachment 1). The resident
borrowed the municipal radar gun on August 21, 22 and 23, 2001 and recorded
the license plate numbers of vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit. Durham
Regional Police processed the recorded high end offenders through the
Clarington Road Watch Program which sends warning letters out to the
registered vehicle owners and provides direct police contact for repeat offenders.
During late 2006, the same resident again expressed concerns about vehicle
speeds and additional traffic volumes, which might be generated from the
Newcastle Recreation Complex and pending residential development north of
Durham Highway 2. The resident has sinoe.requested an all-way stop at the
intersection of Rudell Road at Edward Street (T-intersection). This is the only
request that staff have received regarding speeds on Rudell Road.
2.0 COMMENT
2.1 ODeratina SDeeds
On Sept. 7, 2006, staff used the municipal radar gun to accurately record and
calculate average vehicle operating speeds of northbound and southbound
through traffic on Rudell Road at Edward Street which is posted at 50 km/hr. The
following results were recorded:
. 52.5 kmlhr before and after school activity
. 41.6 km/hr while school students were present on sidewalks
Durham Regional Police would not consider this location a "hot spot" for regular
enforcement but have performed periodic enforcement. The operating speed on '
Rudell Road is typical for most wide collector roadways and would not appear to
Report #EGD-01S-07
Page 3
have an excessive speed problem. An all-way stop at Edward Street would
have a minimal impact, if it has any impact at all, on operating speeds in front of
the resident's property. This is because his property is located 184 m north of
the requested intersection and most motorists accelerate and regain speeds
within a short distance after a stop sign.
On January 12, 2007, staff used the radar gun to accurately record vehicle
operating speeds of northbound and southbound through traffic on Rudell Road
at the adult school crossing location in front of St Francis of Assissi Separate
Elementary School, (a 50 kmlhr zone), with the following results:
. 45.7 kmlhr before and after school activity
. 30.9 km/hr while school students were present on sidewalks
Note that during such studies only the higher through traffic $peed is recorded,
while the slower vehicles which are turning, or through traffic which is impeded
by turning traffic, are not included in the calculations. An all-way stop at Rudell
and Edward would have a minimal impact if any on the already low speed of
traffic in front of the school.
2.2 Motor Vehicle Collision Historv
There have been no motor vehicle collisions at the intersection of Rudell Road at
Edward Street over the past 5 years. There was one hit and run collision on
Rudell Road between Edward Street and Durham Hwy. 2 on Sunday June 27,
2004 at 3:30 am when a northbound van struck a parked car and left the scene.
There have been no collisions on Rudell Road south of Edward Street.
2.3 Intersection Review Based on All-wav Stoe Volume Warrants
In the Official Plan, Edward Street and Rudell Road are both classified as
Collector roadways which are intended to move moderate amounts of traffic
between low volume local streets and higher volume arterial roadways.
Report #EGD-018-07
Page 4
During 2005 Engineering Services worked closely with the (CTMAC) Clarington
Traffic Management Advisory Committee to modify the provincial warrant for all-
way stops, creating an in-house warrant that is more applicable to Clarington
roadways. The in-house modified warrant structure makes it less stringent/more
permissive for collector and local roadways to meet warrants for an all-way stop
by accepting lower traffic volumes, fewer peak hours and giving more recognition
to unsupervised pedestrian crossings.
These modified warrants are intended as a more relaxed guide for staff to
evaluate intersections in an unbiased, uniform manner so that they can then
make recommendations to Council. The warrants also provide Council with the
assurance that the municipality is attempting to work with its residents in a
consistent manner to balance efficient transportation with the needs of the local
neighbourhood.
Using the new modified warrants during early 2007 staff have recommend the
implementation of all-way stops at intersections such as Sandringham Drive at
Claret Road; Pebblestone Road at Trulls Road and Trulls Road at Avondale
Drive where intersections with higher vehicle volumes, pedestrian activity or
collisions would benefit from implementation of a traffic control device. On a
Clarington wide basis, staff have received requests for all-way stops at 165
different intersections through out Clarington.
Staff cannot recommend the installation of an all-way stop at the intersection of
Rudell Road and Edward Street because the average number of vehicles on this
roadway is significantly less than the warranted number over the four peak hours
monitored. In addition it should be noted that the existing pedestrian activity
crossing Rudell Road is extremely light, as all of the school students cross under
the supervision of an adult guard directly in front of the St. Francis of Assissi
Separate Elementary School.
Report #EGO-018-07
Page 5
2.4 ComDarisons and Other ODtions
The Municipality of Clarington or Region of Durham has not placed all-way stops
at other existing Courtice recreation complex facilities on Prestonvale Road or
Courtice Road. Staff do not anticipate that the warrants at the Newcastle
Recreation Complex will be met or close to being met for many years into the
future. Staff do support monitoring activity at each of the facilities to ensure there
are no safety concerns.
The Clarington Traffic Watch Program which operates early summer to late fall,
consists of a part time staff member operating the radar gun with a Radar
Message Board attached. This program can be used on Rudell Road to monitor
and report speeding drivers through the Road Watch Program. If a sufficient
problem exists the unit will make more appearances and Police enforcement will
be requested to supplement it.
In addition to the Road Watch Program, Clarington residents may also borrow
the municipal radar unit any time of the year to monitor vehicles and report them
through the Road Watch Program. Residents also have the option of contacting
Durham Regional Police directly to ask for periodic enforcement. If the police
determine that a serious problem exists they will make return visits. However, as
evidenced above, there does not appear to be a speeding issue on Rudell Road.
Staff have agreed to install no parking signs near the intersection of Rudell and
Edward after construction of the new recreation complex driveway has been built,
to ensure that parked vehicles do not obstruct vision from the intersection. Staff,
have also discussed with the resident the advantages and disadvantages of
temporary or permanent parking prohibitions which could, if required for safety or
requested by the residents, be implemented on one side of Rudell Road.
Report #EGD"()18"()7
Page 6
2.5 Traffic Impact Studv
The consulting firm of TSH, involved with many municipal projects including the
Newcastle Recreation Complex, conducted a traffic impact study and determined
that the levels of service are acceptable with the existing stop controls for both
the intersection of Rudell Road and . Edward Street, and Rudell Road and
Durham Highway 2. The conclusion from TSH, based on projected traffic
volumes and trip generation, was that both intersections would continue to
function at acceptable levels of service after phase 1 is completed in 2007 with
the addition of a single stop sign exiting the Newcastle Recreation Complex
across from Edward Street.
The implementation of an all-way stop would, in their opinion, create queuing and
give the effect of a busier intersection than if Rudell Road were left as a free flow
condition. The peak times for the complex are typically later in the day and
would not conflict with school peak or commuter peak periods. Traffic signals are
proposed at Rudell Road and Durham Highway 2, when the Foster Creek
Development to the north is constructed.
3.0 CONCLUSION
3.1 Staff, working with the CTMAC, developed a modified all-way stop warrant policy
to be used during intersection reviews by staff. This policy lowered the average
intersection volume requirements for an all-way stop on collector roadways from
the Provincial figure of 500, to only 375. Staff cannot support this request with
volumes of 211 as the already reduced warrants are not close to being satisfied.
Report #EGD-018-07
Page 7
Staff concur with TSH that there will not be a significant increase in traffic on
Rudell Road that would warrant an all-way stop in the near future but monitoring
the area as development occurs is recommended. If the intersection level of
service becomes unacceptable or if the all-way stop warrants do become close in
the future, staff or Council will recommend that the municipality be proactive at
that time.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Key Map
Interested parties:
Tom Herd
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DRAWN BY: E.L
I DATE: January 29, 2007
REPORT EGD-018-07
ATTACHMENT NO.1
G:\Attachments\RudeIlEdwardStop, mxd
Report #EGD-018-07
Page 5
2.4Comparisons and Other Options
The Municipality of Clarington or Region of Durham has not placed all-way stops
at other existing Courtice recreation complex facilities on Prestonvale Road or
Courtice Road. Staff do not anticipate that the warrants at the Newcastle
Recreation Complex will be met or close to being met for many years into the
future. Staff do support monitoring activity at each of the facilities to ensure there
are no safety concerns.
The Clarington Traffic Watch Program which operates early summer to late fall,
consists of a part time staff member operating the radar gun with a Radar
Message Board attached. This program can be used on Rudell Road to monitor
and report speeding drivers through the Road Watch Program. If a sufficient
problem exists the unit will make more appearances and Police enforcement will
be requested to supplement it.
In addition to the Road Watch Program, Clarington residents may also borrow
the municipal radar unit any time of the year to monitor vehicles and report them
through the Road Watch Program. Residents also have the option of contacting
Durham Regional Police directly to ask for periodic enforcement. If the police
determine that a serious problem exists they will make return visits. However, as
evidenced above, there does not appear to be a speeding issue on Rudell Road.
Staff have agreed to install no parking signs near the intersection of Rudell and
Edward after construction of the new recreation complex driveway has been built,
to ensure that parked vehicles do not obstruct vision from the intersection. Staff,
have also discussed with the resident the advantages and disadvantages of
temporary or permanent parking prohibitions which could, if required for safety or
requested by the residents, be implemented on one side of Rudell Road.
Report #EGD-018-07
Page 6
2.5 Traffic Impact Study
The consulting firm of TSH, involved with many municipal projects including the
Newcastle Recreation Complex, conducted a traffic impact study and determined
that the levels of service are acceptable with the existing stop controls for both
the intersection of Rudell Road and Edward Street, and Rudell Road and
Durham Highway 2. The conclusion from TSH, based on projected traffic
volumes and trip generation, was that both intersections would continue to
function at acceptable levels of service after phase 1 is completed in 2007 with
the addition of a single stop sign exiting the Newcastle Recreation Complex
across from Edward Street.
The implementation of an all-way stop would, in their opinion, create queuing and
give the effect of a busier intersection than if Rudell Road were left as a free flow
condition. The peak times for the complex are typically later in the day and
would not conflict with school peak or commuter peak periods. Traffic signals are
proposed at Rudell Road and Durham Highway 2, when the Foster Creek
Development to the north is constructed.
3.0 CONCLUSION
3.1Staff, working with the CTMAC, developed a modified all-way stop warrant policy
to be used during intersection reviews by staff. This policy lowered the average
intersection volume requirements for an all-way stop on collector roadways from
the Provincial figure of 500, to only 375. Staff cannot support this request with
volumes of 211 as the already reduced warrants are not close to being satisfied.
Report #EGD-018-07
Page 7
Staff concur with TSH that there will not be a significant increase in traffic on
Rudell Road that would warrant an all-way stop in the near future but monitoring
the area as development occurs is recommended. If the intersection level of
service becomes unacceptable or if the all-way stop warrants do become close in
the future, staff or Council will recommend that the municipality be proactive at
that time.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Key Map
Interested parties:
Tom Herd