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Home My WebLink AboutPWD-008-23Clarftwn Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: September 11, 2023 Report Number: PWD-008-23 Submitted By: Stephen Brake, Director of Public Works Reviewed By: Robert Maciver, Deputy CAO/Solicitor Resolution#: GG-151-23 File Number: By-law Number: Report Subject: Traffic Speeds and Pedestrian Crossings on Scugog Street Recommendations: 1. That Report PWD-008-23, and any related delegations or communication items, be received; 2. That Council direct staff prepare a proposal to extend the sidewalk on the west side of Scugog Street between Rehder Avenue and Wellington Street, that will include consultation with the adjacent property owners; and 3. That all interested parties listed in Report PWD-008-23, and any delegations be advised of Council's decision. Municipality of Clarington Report PWD-008-23 Report Overview Page 2 During the Joint Committee meeting held on June 19, 2023, Council received a delegation from Lauren Bull and Tara Asling. Resolution #JC-061-23 was passed that referred the delegates' concerns about the speed limit on Scugog Street back to staff. This report provides Council with an update on the findings and a recommendation to improve roadway and pedestrian safety. 1. Background Delegation by Lauren Bull and Tara Asling, Regarding Reducing Speed Limit on Scugog Street 1.1 Lauren Bull and Tara Asling were present via electronic means to express their concerns over vehicle speeding on Scugog Street. Tara Asling noted problems with increased traffic, excessive speeding and noise on Scugog Street. Tara also requested that crosswalks be installed at Rehder and Jackman, along with reducing the speed limit to 40 km/hour. Lauren reported her concerns about the lack of speed reduction measures along Scugog Street. The delegates subsequently answered questions from Members of Committee. Scugog Street pedestrian and vehicle traffic operation 1.2 In the Clarington Official Plan, Scugog Street is considered a Type C Arterial class roadway. Such classification of roadway provides an important function, meaning that it is designed to operate with uninterrupted flow except at traffic control signals and pedestrian crossings. Type C Arterials are also intended to serve as local transit corridors and connections to regional transit spines. They typically feature sidewalks on both sides of the road and are good candidates for bicycle facilities. 1.3 Scugog Street has a pavement width of 10 metes, consistent with a Type C Arterial roadway. Urban shoulders or bicycle lanes are painted along the entire stretch of Scugog Street from Wellington Street to Longworth Avenue. The sidewalk on the east side is continuous. The sidewalk along the west side spans from Rehder Avenue northwards. Previous attempts by staff to complete the sidewalk on the west side were met with significant opposition from affected residents. There are currently no marked pedestrian crossings along this stretch of Scugog Street. Municipality of Clarington Report PWD-008-23 2. Traffic Analysis Traffic Speed Data Page 3 2.1 Staff have monitored traffic speeds and volumes on Scugog Street that is posted as 50 km/h on several occasions over the years. The two types of equipment used are radar based and include the Radar Message Boards (RMB) which collect and display speeds live to the drivers, and the Armadillo stealth radar units, which record speeds and vehicle types while being concealed for later analysis. The speed data collected is classified into Average speed and Operating (85t" percentile) speed. Of the recently available data, the speeds were as follows: RMB Deployment June 12t" 2020 Scugog Street at Edsall Avenue Average Speed: 47km/h 85t" Percentile: 59km/h • RMB Deployment June 12t" 2020 Scugog Street at Rehder Avenue Average Speed: 50km/h 85t" Percentile: 58km/h • Armadillo Deployment May 17t" 2023 Scugog Street at Edsall Avenue Average Speed: 51 km/h 85t" Percentile: 57km/h 2.2 From the above data, it has been determined that the majority of vehicles operate at an anticipated level for a Type C Arterial roadway. As mentioned before, the intended design and purpose of such roadways is to provide a less restricted corridor for traffic, which includes transit, trucks and connections with other major roadways and trip generation clusters. Any intrusive traffic calming devices could result in a negative effect on the existing road functionality and potentially affect other nearby local roads. 2.3 It is also worth noting that the reconstruction of Bowmanville Avenue and King St intersection may be causing additional traffic volumes to use Scugog Street. It is anticipated to diminish noticeably after the widening of Bowmanville Avenue is complete in the Spring of 2024. 2.4 A review of speed limit reductions to 40 km/h in other municipalities showed that the effectiveness is very minimal if not applied to suitable roadways containing supportive design parameters. Several municipalities where 40 km/h speed limits were tested or implemented, reported results of 0-1 km/h speed reductions, even with the provision of any reasonably available police enforcement. Scugog Street, being a wide straight Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report PWD-008-23 stretch of a Type C Arterial, does not currently have features that would support speed limit reductions effectively. Drivers generally assume speeds that are comfortable and safe, based on the road function, risk, and assessment of the surrounding road environment, including pedestrians. Pedestrian Movements 2.5 The Ontario Traffic Manual is a set of transportation -oriented specifications and guidelines released by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. It is used by traffic engineering staff to provide a consistent and safe transportation network, in line with other road jurisdictions. As per the Ontario Traffic Manual Book 15 - Pedestrian Crossing Treatments, the minimum required pedestrian volume to justify an installation of a Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) is 100 or more in an 8-hour period, or 65 or more in a 4-hour period. 2.6 Staff conducted and analyzed dedicated turning movement counts at the intersections of Scugog Street with Rehder Avenue and Scugog Street and Jackman Road. The traffic count locations were selected based on the request by the delegation and from a roadside assessment by staff. The sidewalk on the west side currently ends at its' south terminus at Rehder Avenue. Jackman Road leads to a medium -density residential complex, which is more likely to generate pedestrian traffic and potentially contribute to crossings across Scugog Street. It should be noted that proper sightlines and adequate gaps in traffic flow that are necessary to accommodate safe roadway crossings were present. 2.7 Each intersection included a continuous traffic count between 7 am and 9 pm on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 and Saturday, July 8, 2023. From the analyzed pedestrian movements, it was found that the following pedestrian crossings occurred across Scugog Street in each 14-hour period: • Scugog Street at Jackman Road o Wednesday — 13 pedestrians o Saturday — 6 pedestrians • Scugog Street at Rehder Avenue o Wednesday — 13 pedestrians o Saturday — 10 pedestrians Since the actual pedestrian numbers are significantly lower than the required minimum pedestrian volume in the justification warrant, none of the locations qualify for a PXO. Municipality of Clarington Page 5 Report PWD-008-23 2.8 One of the provisions in the PXO justification warrant allows consideration for maintaining a pedestrian path of desire. In cases where no other reasonable option to cross or travel exists, a PXO may be justified. However, as mentioned earlier, staff have previously worked on extending the west sidewalk to join with the existing section at Wellington Street. Due to significant opposition by affected residents, this project was temporarily abandoned. It is strongly recommended that the completion of the sidewalk on the west side is reviewed again, as the preferred option. Possible resident concerns regarding their responsibility to provide winter maintenance on the sidewalk may now be alleviated as this section of sidewalk will be cleared by the Municipality going forward under the new Arterial sidewalk program. 3. Financial Considerations Not Applicable. 4. Concurrence Not Applicable. 5. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that the current status of traffic operation on Scugog Street remain unchanged. It is also recommended that Scugog Street be further reviewed under the newly proposed Clarington Traffic Calming Policy, if adopted by Council, which staff will be reporting on later this year. Staff Contact: Slav Potrykus, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, 905-623-3379 or spotrykus@claringtonn.net. Attachments: Not Applicable Interested Parties: The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision: Lauren Bull Tara Asling