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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-100-00 .-#i- DN:PlOO-OO THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON ~ REPORT Meeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee File #M,t{C,~ Res. to;fJ/I- - '{5 r -06 Date: Monday, October 2, 2000 Report #: PD-100-00 FILE #: CG 1.5 By-law # Subject: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL CROSSING GUARD AT BEAVER AND ROBERT STREETS, NEWCASTLE FILE: CG1.5 Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PD-1 00-00 be received; 2. THAT an additional Adult Crossing Guard not be placed at the intersection of Beaver and Robert Streets, in Newcastle; 3. THAT all interested parties listed in this report and any delegations be advised of Council's decision. 1. BACKGROUND 1.1 On April 28, 1997, Rena Durham and Kathleen Pasquet, both of Newcastle Village, circulated a letter dated April 27, 1997 and a petition containing approximately 300 signatures of persons requesting that a Crossing Guard be placed at the comer of Beaver and Robert Streets for the ultimate safety ofthe children. Staff conducted a Crossing Guard Need Study on April 18 and again on April 22, 1997. The results were 54% and 48% respectively, with an average of 51 % delay. The warrant for placement of an Adult Crossing Guard is 50% delay. Hence the location met the warrant and qualified for an Adult Crossing Guard at that time. 675 REPORT NO.: PD-IOO-OO PAGE 2 At that time, the only entrance to Newcastle Public Elementary School was from Beaver Street. Virtually all of the traffic was generated as the result of parents driving their children to school. 1.2 With the development of the new subdivision east of Edward Street, the Public Works Department undertook a review of the traffic patterns at the intersection of Beaver Street at Edward Street and the intersection of Beaver Street at Robert Street. The intersection of Beaver Street and Edward Street was made a temporary all-way stop which was to change on July 3, 2000 to give Edward Street, as the main collector, the "Through Road" designation. 1.3 On April 17, 2000, a letter was sent to the Public Works Department on behalf of the students, staff and the School Council of Newcastle Public School requesting that the four-way stop at the intersection of Beaver and Edward Streets become permanent. At a meeting held on July 10, 2000, Council passed a resolution stating that the temporary all-way stop on Beaver and Edward Streets become permanent. 1.4 During the review of the all-way stop at the Edward and Beaver Street intersection, the crossing guard situation was also reviewed. The Edward Street crossing, on the east side of Beaver Street was measured at a 72% delay and is warranted. The Beaver Street crossing on the north side of Robert Street was measured at only 33% and no longer meets the 50% threshold. With the opening of the new streets in the Dunbury Homes development, many parents are dropping their children off at the front of the school on Glass Court. 1.5 In June, staff made the decision to relocate the Crossing Guard at Beaver/Robert Streets to the new location of Beaver/Edward Streets effective September 5, 2000. On June 21, 2000, a letter was sent to Margaret Cameron, Principal of Newcastle Public School and Cathy Abraham of the School Council informing them of the decision. At this time it 676 REPORT NO.: PD-IOO-OO PAGE 3 was also suggested that a Student Patroller Program be initiated through the Durham Regional Police Department to provide assistance at the intersection of BeaverlRobert Streets. As a transition measure, staff offered to station one of the Rover Crossing Guards at this location to assist the Student Patroller during the frrst week of school. Staff also indicated that traffic patterns would be reviewed in the fall. 1.6 Upon speaking with Margaret Cameron on August 28, 2000, it was indicated to Clarington staffthat the Student Patroller Program would not be in place for September 5, 2000. Therefore, it was determined that a Rover Crossing Guard would not be necessary at this location. 2. REVIEW AND COMMENT 2.1 Study Results Public Works staff studied each crossing location in Newcastle Village from September 8th to September 18th, 2000. An overview of the four intersections is shown on the chart below: Overview of Period 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Intersection Intersection Vehicles Crossing Speed Range Vehicle Volume Crosswalk King/Beaver 320 290 45-55 kmIhr Edward/Beaver 307 201 stopped 35 kmIhr MilllRobert 237 185 55-65 kmIhr RobertJBeaver 126 88 30-45 kmIhr Intersection of Mill Street and Edward Street This intersection meets the warrant for an Adult Crossing Guard based on traffic volumes. However, the existing Adult Crossing Guard at Robert Street provides superior protection with an intersection Pedestrian Signal and does not increase the walking distance for children. Of the 13 children crossing at this location only 3 crossed without the supervision of an adult. These pedestrians should be encouraged to use the existing guard at Mill Street/Robert Street, two blocks to the south. 677 ~ REPORT NO.: PD-IOO-OO PAGE 4 Intersection of Mill Street and Robert Street This intersection is controlled by an Intersection Pedestrian Signal, available 24 hours per day, plus an Adult Crossing Guard during the school crossing periods. Observation of the guard showed she was working with the signal timing and was only in the intersection on one occasion when the light turned green. Due to the higher volume and speed of through commuter traffic, it is recommended that the Adult Crossing Guard remain at this location. It is also recommended that guards at any signalized intersection encourage children to press the button when asked to do so and watch for the pedestrian hand as an educational process. The few children who did arrive before and after the guard, were observed pressing the button and waiting for traffic to stop. Speeds through this intersection were in the 55 to 65 km/hr range with a few vehicles in the 70 km/hr range. Intersection of KinR Street at Beaver Street This intersection is controlled by an Adult Crossing Guard who used the traffic signal phasing at Mill Street to his advantage. The speeds through this cross walk were in the 45 to 55 km/hr range. A future traffic signal or Intersection Pedestrian Signal is not advisable at this location due to the close proximity of the existing traffic control signals at the intersection of King Street at Mill Street, which is only 110 metres to the west. As traffic volumes increase in the future, a traffic control signal or Intersection Pedestrian Signal may be justified near Arthur Street. Intersection of Beaver Street and Edward Street This intersection is controlled by an all-way stop and an Adult Crossing Guard. Warrants were not reviewed but with the further development of the plan of subdivision the condition would not decrease from the 72% measured in the spring. Intersection of Beaver Street and Robert Street This intersection presently has no crossing protection and was studied as follows: 678 ~ REPORT NO.: PD-IOO-OO PAGE 5 Date Time Period Percent Delay (min 50% required) September 8/00 8:30 to 8:55 a.m. 29.3% September 8/00 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. 34.4% September 13/00 8:30 to 8:55 a.m. 39.7% September 13/00 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. 26.8% Average 32.6% The speeds through this intersection are in the 30 to 45 kmIhr range with parents often stopping to permit students to cross. Due to the low speeds and primarily school traffic it is felt that student patrollers would offer additional protection. Staff observed two problems with parents near this intersection. One is that many parents did not use their turn signals; the other problem being parents stopping illegally within 10 metres of the crosswalk. Public Works Department will paint a clear "No Stopping" zone to encourage parents to keep back and ensure proper visibility. Another possible improvement is to have either the student patrollers or the nearby adult guard place traffic cones in the "no stopping" area. Illegal parking occurs at many school crossings and the placement of cones may assist. This matter should be further discussed with staff, Crossing Guards and Police. The school should also remind parents in their newsletter or other correspondence about requesting their cooperation in stopping for pedestrians, signalling and not parking within 10 metres of the crosswalk. This intersection does not meet the volumes required to satisfy the Provincial warrants for an all-way stop but could be introduced at Council's discretion. 3. CONCLUSIONS 3.1 As per Municipal Policy, a 50% delay is required before an Adult School Crossing Guard is considered warranted. The studies performed between September 81h and September 181h, 2000, indicate the Beaver Street and Robert Street location does not warrant an Adult Crossing Guard. 679 0/ REPORT NO.: PD-IOO-OO PAGE 6 Respectfully submitted, Reviewed by, a~-=o~ Da . J. Crome, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning & Development DF*DC:df Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Chief Administrative Officer. 25 September 2000 Attachment I - Key Map Interested parties to be notified of Council and Committee's decision: Mr. Brian Harris Principal Newcastle Public School 385 Beaver Street south NEWCASTLE, Ontario LIB 1C3 Mrs. Cathy Abraham c/o Newcastle Public School 385 Beaver Street South NEWCASTLE, Ontario LIB 1C3 Sgt. Mike Swaga Durham Police Services 16 Division BOWMANVILLE, Ontario 680 .. I ,- - -1-- n:~ c- ~ Li ~ Ii I r--- c- I rm T - ~ mm nn rmun ~ ti[9 l1JJj =~ ~ EMILY ST. W. ST. L ==:1___ c-- ___ f--- tnbfE ~~' - r-=-- tn = c-- :::: - __------j =!rnCAROLlNE Slk_Wfj . rn~ ST.~. 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