HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-9-92 THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
REPORT
Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE File# L
Date: JANUARY 20, 1992 Rey # -1_1
Report#: WD-9-92 — File#: B. 01 - 09 . 07 By-Law#
Subject: REQUEST FROM STRATHAVEN LIFECARE CENTRE FOR THE INSTALLATION
OF A CROSSWALK
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and
Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report WD-9-92 be received;
2 . THAT the request for a pedestrian crossover at 264 King Street
East, Strathaven Lifecare Centre, Bowmanville, which does not
comply with Provincial Guidelines, be denied; and
3 . THAT Catherine Hilge, Administrator, Strathaven Lifecare
Centre, be advised of Council's decision and be provided with
a copy of Report WD-9-92 .
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REPORT
1.0 ATTACHMENTS
No. 1: Correspondence dated October 3, 1991, from M.
MacGregor
No. 2: Key Map
2.0 BACKGROUND
2 . 1 At a regular meeting held on October 15, 1991, Council passed
Resolution #C-620-91:
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REPORT NO. : WD-9-92 PAGE 2
"THAT the correspondence dated October 3,
1991, from M. MacGregor, Secretary, Strathaven
Lifecare Centre, requesting the installation
of a crosswalk in front of Strathaven Lifecare
Centre, 264 King Street East, be received;
THAT the correspondence be referred to the
Director of Public Works for the preparation
of a review and recommendation to the General
Purpose and Administration Committee; and
THAT M. MacGregor be advised of Council's decision. "
3.0 REVIEW AND COMMENT
3 . 1 Provincial Guidelines for Pedestrian Crossovers PXO
To provide uniformity in the installation of pedestrian
crossovers in Ontario, installation criteria (including
warrant requirements) , ground mounted and overhead signage
(including pedestrian activated flashing amber beacons) , and
pavement marking requirements have been developed as a result
of an extensive study done by the Ministry of Transportation
of Ontario in co-operation with the Ontario Traffic Conference
and Municipalities in Ontario. Under Part A of the
Installation Criteria the following sections which pertain to
this request were considered and checked for compliance:
"6) No visibility problems should exist for
either pedestrians or motorists due to
horizontal or vertical roadway
alignment. "
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REPORT NO. : WD-9-92 PAGE 3
The sight distance at the requested location directly in
front of Strathaven Lifecare Centre is acceptable despite the
grade change to the east.
119) The pedestrian crossover location should
be greater than 215 metres (705 feet)
from another pedestrian crossover,
traffic signal installation,
flashing amber light, or school
crossing. "
The proposed crossing location is 163 metres (535 feet) from
the traffic signal controlled intersection at Simpson Avenue
which is less than the Provincial guideline. If a pedestrian
crossover with flashing beacons was installed in close
proximity to a signalized intersection it would result in the
driver's attention being directed to the next traffic control
signal, which would place pedestrians at greater risk.
"14) Pedestrian crossovers should be installed
only when the warrant for pedestrian
crossovers is met. "
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A pedestrian crossover study was reviewed and noted that an
adjusted eight hour pedestrian volume of less than 200 should
not normally require consideration of a crossover. The staff
of Strathaven Lifecare Centre estimates that use by 20
residents would result in a total of 40 crossings during an
eight hour period. This estimate of 40 crossings is
considerably less than the 200 figure required under the
provincial guidelines .
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REPORT NO. : WD-9-92 PAGE 4
3 .2 Disadvantages of Pedestrian Crossovers
1) Pedestrian crossovers are detrimental to traffic flow
and capacity by reducing effectiveness of a computerized
traffic signal timing system along a busy corridor. It
is difficult to determine the length of time required by
various seniors and traffic could be delayed a
considerable length of time.
2) Increase in motor vehicle accidents usually involving
rear end collisions .
3) Increased risk to pedestrians until both pedestrians and
motorists have been educated or have become familiar
with the proper use of the pedestrian crossover device.
3 .2 Location of Existing Traffic Signal Controlled Crossing
The traffic signal at Simpson Avenue is 163 metres (535 feet)
from the proposed pedestrian crossing and also ' serves as an
adult school crossing guard location. Motorists are more
familiar with this type of traffic signal control with
pedestrian crossing than the new pedestrian activated
flashing amber lights with overhead signage. It is
considered safer for pedestrians to cross at a traffic signal
than a pedestrian crossover.
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3 . 3 Location of Future Traffic Signal Controlled Crossing
A traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of
Mearns Avenue and King Street within the next few years as
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traffic volumes increase. This traffic signal controlled
crossing will be 219 metres ( 720 feet) east of the proposed
pedestrian crossing.
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REPORT NO. : WD-9-92 PAGE 5
3 .4 Special Consideration for Senior Citizens
The warrant analysis states:
"There may be certain locations where the
installation of a pedestrian crossover will
result in an undesirable operation. An
example would be where the pedestrian flow is
rather steady causing unnecessarily long
vehicular delays, such as near schools and
shopping malls . Another example would be
where extra guidance is needed for pedestrians
to cross the road such as near senior citizen
complexes, playgrounds, hospitals, and
anywhere pedestrian and/or vehicular volumes
are extremely high. At these locations
consideration should be given to the
installation of a traffic signal control
system. "
The familiar three coloured traffic signal provides more
safety for seniors than a standard pedestrian crossover. As
an alternative suggestion, further assistance could be
provided by Strathaven Lifecare Centre to residents with the
implementation of a shuttle bus service for residents who are
not able to walk the short distance to the traffic signal at
Simpson Avenue.
3 .5 Cost of Traffic Control Devices
Pedestrian Crossover
A pedestrian activated flashing amber overhead warning system
would cost approximately $20,000 .
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Traffic Control Signal System
A pedestrian activated traffic signal system would cost
approximately $22,000 . and may be linked to the traffic
02 5
REPORT NO. : WD-9-92 PAGE 6
signal at Simpson Avenue to reduce delays to traffic .
In this situation, the traffic control signal system is
preferred to the pedestrian crossover.
Subsidy
The Ministry of Transportation will not subsidize either of
these traffic control devices because the warrants have not
been met in accordance with the provincial guidelines .
4.0 CONCLUSIONS
4 . 1 From the above, it is concluded that a pedestrian crossover
at the requested location would be detrimental to traffic
flow, reduce the effectiveness of the traffic signal control
system on the King Street corridor and increase motor vehicle
accidents . A pedestrian crossover would place the seniors at
greater risk than if they were to use the existing traffic
signal controlled crossing at Simpson Avenue.
4 .2 Strathaven Lifecare Centre should direct all their residents
to use the traffic signal controlled crossing at Simpson
Avenue for their continued safety and/or consider a shuttle
bus type of service for residents in poor health.
Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation
to the Committee,
----------------------- ----- T-L�/Y---------------
Walter A. Evans, P.Eng. , Lawrence E I Kotseff,
Director of Public Works Chief Admi strative Officer
RDB*WAE*ph
January 9, 1992
Attachments
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0f°6
REPORT NO. : WD- -92 PAGE 7
pc : Catherine Hilge
Administrator
Strathaven Lifecare Centre
264 King Street East
Bowmanville, Ontario
L1C 1P9
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COUNCIL DIRECTION D-1 '
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STRATHAVEN_LIFECARE_CENTRE
__________�u�_�_
� 264 KING STREET EAST, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 1P9, (416) 623-2553
October 3, 1991
`
To Town Clerk E. Barrid
Dear Madam:
I have been instructed to apply through you for a cross walk in
front of Strathaven Lifecare Centre, 264 King Gt. E.
It is too much for residents to walk to the stop light, cross
over and down to the Bowmanville shopping mall .
It would be a great help to residents and we would appreciate
your help in securing this convenience.
^
Yours truly,
.
� M. MacGregor
Secretary �
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ATTACHMENT NO, 2
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KEY WD-9-92
MAP