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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-16-86s TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT File # "C 7 .f Res. # By -Law # MEETING: THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE DATE: JANUARY 20, 1986 REPORT #: WD -16 -86 FILE #: SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CONTROL AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 35/115 & KIRBY ROAD RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended: 1. That this report be received; and, 2. That the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, c/o Mr. R.A. Shannon, Traffic Section, 5000 Yonge Street, Willowdale, Ontario, M2N 6E9, be requested to review the timing and operation of the traffic signals at Highway 35/115 in Kirby towards giving some consideration to the heavy weekend traffic volumes generated by the Kirby Ski Club. The Ministry should also be requested to review signing on both Highway 35/115 and Kirby Road and make any recommendations which would reduce speeding and provide added safety. ....2 Page 2 Report No. WD -16 -86 REPORT: At Council on January 13, 1986, a resolution was passed directing staff to report on the methods of dealing with traffic congestion and speeding resulting from heavy weekend traffic generated by the Kirby Ski Club and on the feasibility of changing traffic signal timing to accommodate same. As a result, staff have contacted M.T.C. and Durham Region to firstly, ascertain under whose jurisdiction the traffic signals lie and, secondly, derive more information as to the operation of the signals. With respect to jurisdiction, the signals are owned, operated, and controlled by M.T.C. Thus, information relating to operation would also come from that agency., From the brief discussions which occurred with Ministry staff, it has been determined that due to the controlled access classification of Highway 35/115, and the extremely high traffic volumes it serves, priority is assigned to the highway traffic flow and therefore it enjoys the majority of the green light time. Also, when there is no evidence of traffic waiting on the intersection road, the green light returns to and remains with the Highway 35/115 direction of traffic. There are, however, sensing devices on the intersection road (Kirby Road) which triggers the control mechanism to provide green time to the intersecting traffic and stop the Highway 35/115 traffic. As long as traffic on Kirby Road continues to pass over and activate the sensor, green remains in its favour up to a certain maximum number of seconds. ....3 Page 3 Report No. WD -16 -86 Upon expiration of that time period or until such time as traffic on Highway 35/115 triggers a sensor several hundred yards down the highway, the green signal is returned to Highway 35/115 traffic. Although there may be a short period of time on specific days during holidays and weekends when traffic on Kirby Road may approach the volumes on Highway 35/115, such situations are unique. In fact, without a count during those times there is no evidence to suggest that the Kirby Road traffic volumes ever approach those on the highway. Without such evidence there is no justification to altering the signal timing. In view of this and the fact that solutions to perceived traffic problems are extremely complex, it is suggested that M.T.C. be requested to review the problem toward recommending changes to provide a solution. RGD:jco January 14, 1986.