HomeMy WebLinkAboutEGD-033-08
Cl~illgton
REPORT
ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Meeting:
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
July 7,2008 Resolution #:~ rA -~~-O ~
Date:
Report #: EGD-033-08
File#:
By-law #:
Subject:
ROUNDABOUT EDUCATION PROGRAM
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report EGD-033-08 be received for information.
Respectfully by,
()~~~
Reviewed by: Franklin Wu
Chief Administrative Officer
Su mitted by: A. . annella
Director of Engineering Services
ASC/Jb
June 26, 2008
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-9282
Report #EGD-033-QS
Page 2
1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 The Green Road Extension
As Council is aware, Green Road southerly from Boswell Drive across the
Canadian Pacific Rail (grade separation) to Baseline Road is being constructed
as a type B arterial road to allow for significant existing and planned commercial
and residential development in the surrounding area (Attachment 1). The project
is in Phase I from Baseline to Aspen Springs Drive and Phase 2 from Aspen
Springs Drive to Boswell Drive. When completed, Green Road will be a key
arterial road and will address the discontinuity in the north-south road network
serving the west end of the community in Bowmanville. The Green Road
extension will provide traffic relief to parallel arterial roads, especially Martin
Road (Regional Road 57), and will provide for improved access, mobility, public
transit and emergency service.
Green Road which is a type B arterial road was designed to move significant
volumes of traffic at moderate speeds from one part of the municipality to
another. The desired operating speed is 50 km/h in urban areas. Background
studies suggest an interim requirement for two basic lanes, one northbound and
one southbound, plus auxiliary left turns at intersections.
The Green Road extension has been designed to deal with high volumes of
traffic and is expected within a 10 to 15 year time horizon to carry approx. 8 -
10,000 vehicles per day. Initially however, these numbers will be substantially
less until the Canadian Pacific subway is completed in approximately 2009.
Projected well into the future these numbers may eventually reach as many as
15,000 vehicles per day and to understand what this may look like we should
understand that downtown King Street in Bowmanville moves approximately 12-
15,000 vehicles daily. Initially because of lower traffic volumes using a roadway
designed to carry higher volumes, vehicle speeds may be an issue.
Report #EGD-033-05
Page 3
1.2 Modern Traffic Roundabouts
Modern traffic roundabouts have been in widespread use in Europe and the
United States because they provide:
· Greater level of safety than other types of intersections, such as signalized
intersections
· Dramatically reduced injury collision rates as opposed to other types of
intersections
· Lower negative environmental impacts because of the lower delays
associated with lower vehicle emissions
. Improved aesthetics compared to other types of intersections
. The capability to move higher volumes of traffic in a controlled manner
1.3 Clarinaton's First Traffic Roundabouts
For the reasons listed above, and after considerable public consultation, two
modem roundabouts were included in the design of Green Road from Boswell
Drive to Baseline Road. One roundabout will be installed at the intersection of
Green Road and Aspen Springs Drive, the other will be installed at the
intersection of Green Road and Remington Street in Bowmanville. Both will have
an important traffic capacity effect on Green Road while maintaining the
functional operation for a two lane road, and therefore, may defer the need to
widen the road to four lanes in the future. We expect that they will be open to the
public early in September of 2008.
Report #EGD-033-05
Page 4
2.0 PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE
2.1 Studies have shown that where roundabouts are introduced into a community for
the first time, the majority of the general public is typically apprehensive about
their implementation.
In Clarington many of our residents will never have encountered a modern traffic
roundabout before and in situations like this public acceptance of roundabouts
has often been found to be one of the biggest challenges facing a road authority
that is planning to install its first roundabout. Most residents will have a natural
tendency to resist changes in their driving, walking and cycling environment and
it is for this reason that we see public education on the use of roundabouts as
critical both before opening to traffic and for several months afterwards.
3.0 CLARINGTON'S PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM
3.1 We are uniquely fortunate in Clarington in that the roundabouts on Green Road
will be opened long before the high volumes of traffic will begin. This gives us
time to allow the public to get used to the roundabouts and gives us time to
phase in an education program.
Our education program will include:
· Meetings with emergency services agencies including the police, fire and
ambulance
· Consultation and education sessions with key user groups such as school
boards, local area residents, staff, Council, insurance companies, Durham
Region Transit, driver education schools and visitor/tourism information
centers
· A roundabout web page on the Clarington website
· Educational brochures
Report #EGD-033-05
Page 5
· Advertisements in publications such as our Community Guide and local
newspapers
· Roundabout awareness signs
· Traffic Control Signs
3.2 Emeraency Services
In May of 2008 staff met with police and fire personnel to talk about where, when
and why roundabouts will be introduced within Clarington. Roundabouts have
been designed to move large transport trucks (WB-19, WB21) and can easily
handle large fire trucks. In addition there is a concrete apron for larger vehicles
which provides additional space. The roundabout will be 5m and the concrete
apron 3.5m, providing 8.5m of paved width (Attachment 2). This design results in
an entrance speed of 40 km/hr and an operational speed of 25 km/hr and is in
use in other Regions and has therefore been tested.
Clarington's roundabouts will be available for testing before they open and
adjustments can be made if necessary. Emergency services and Operations
staff will be offered on-site and in-house training prior to the opening of both
roundabouts and afterwards as deemed necessary.
3.3 Consultation and Education Sessions
Education sessions began in May of this year when a presentation was made to
the Clarington Traffic Management Advisory Committee (CTMAC). In June a
presentation was made to all non-affiliated staff at the Municipal Administrative
Centre. Council will be kept fully informed and consultations will be held with key
user groups such as school boards, insurance companies, driver education
schools and others. In September staff will be present at the Family Safety Day
which is to be held at Bowmanville Fire Station #1.
Report #EGD-033-05
Page 6
3.4 Roundabout Web Paae
A roundabout education web page will be designed and added to the Municipality
of Clarington's web site to provide our residents with important information about
our roundabouts and to educate them in their proper use. The Region of
Waterloo for example has an excellent educational video and links to animated
demonstrations about how to approach and navigate through a roundabout.
Resources such as this will be made available on our website along with contact
information for Engineering staff who can answer any questions our residents
may have.
3.5 Educational Brochures
A roundabout education brochure will be distributed to school children, key
stakeholders and to anyone who would like further information about how to
negotiate a roundabout. The brochure will contain information for motorists,
pedestrians and cyclists and will direct residents to the roundabout web page for
further information.
3.6 Advertisements
Advertisements will be placed in Clarington's Community Guide and local area
newspapers prior to the opening of the roundabouts and will direct residents to
our web page and to appropriate staff.
3.7 Roundabout Awareness Sians
In advance of the opening, staff will place roundabout awareness signs on roads
approaching the new roundabouts. The signs will indicate that roundabouts are
coming and provide the Municipality's web site address and a telephone number
for staff who can answer their questions. It should also be noted that the
roundabouts will be fully barricaded prior to the official opening to prevent the
public from using them before they are fully operational and before the public has
been properly educated.
Report #EGD-033-05
Page 7
4.0 CONCLUSION
The construction of Green Road from Boswell Drive southerly to Baseline Road
as a type B arterial road, including a grade separation with the Canadian Pacific
Railway will prove to be of great benefit to the Municipality. This section of
Green Road will facilitate the movement of significant volumes of traffic from one
part of the Municipality to another but requires that we look carefully at the need
to balance operating speeds and traffic volume efficiencies while maintaining
that public safety is our main priority.
The construction of modem traffic roundabouts in a "greenfield" situation, as can
be found at two locations on the Green Road extension, is a proven tool used to
influence speeds and provide a greater level of safety than other types of
intersections. Initially however, residents are typically resistant to changes in
their driving, walking and cycling environment and a full roundabout
education program will be important both to promote public acceptance and to
maximize public safety.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Site Map
Attachment 2 - Roundabout Design
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DATE: June 26, 2008
REPORT EGD-033-08
ATTACHMENT NO.2
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