Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEGD-017-18Clarftwn Engineering Services 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 4, 2018 Report Number: EGD -017-18 Resolution: GG -389-18 File Number: RR.60.42 By-law Number: Report Subject: Municipal Wide Whistle Cessation Stu Recommendations: 1. That Report EGD -017-18 be received; 2. That the Municipal Wide Whistle Cessation Study be referred to the Municipality's 2019 budget; and 3. That all interested parties listed in Report EGD -017-18 and any delegations be advised of Council's decision. Municipality of Clarington Report EGD -017-18 Report Overview Page 2 The purpose of this report is to provide the estimated cost of engaging a consultant to prepare a Municipal Wide Whistle Cessation Study to review and assess all level railway crossings, identify the improvements needed and the costs of the proposed works. The study would consider the options of whistle cessation on individual level crossings or specific grouping of level crossing areas while maintaining an overall methodology for whistle cessation town wide. This report also reviews other reports prepared and submitted to Transport Canada regarding low cost highway rail active warning system options, history and status. Furthermore, it addresses the position of Transport Canada regarding the installation of these systems. 1. Background 1.1 On February 25, 2018 Council passed resolution C-082-18 regarding report EGD -004- 18 stating: "That Staff be requested to report back on the estimated costs associated with hiring a consultant to review municipal wide whistle cessation; That Staff be directed to report back on options for low cost highway rail active warning systems with reference to recent reports on same." 1.2 In addition, Council referred resolution GG -158-18 to the Director of Engineering on March 26, 2018 regarding correspondence from Ken and Shelly Rivers on Train Whistle Cessation in Clarington (Attachment 1). 2. Report 2.1 Staff have received whistle cessation requests from the public for a number of years. The requests have been from various residents, generally located within residential areas of the municipality and focusing on individual level crossings. Staff have consistently maintained that whistle cessation is not recommended due to public safety concerns. In addition, pursuing whistle cessation on a case-by-case basis would impose significant safety related operational challenges on the railway authority. 2.2 A Municipal Wide Whistle Cessation Study is required to review and assess the improvements necessary to implement whistle cessation at any, or all of our level crossings. The study would need to consider the challenges of the municipality's unique geographic and demographic make-up which includes urban and rural environments. 2.3 Staff have developed terms of reference for a Town wide Whistle Cessation Study (Attachment 2) to review all level crossings in the municipality and advise the necessary improvements for a whistle cessation town wide. The study would also develop an implementation plan identifying areas that meet whistle cessation requirements while also allowing the rail authority to operate their systems in a manner that is manageable from an operational and public safety perspective. Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report EGD -017-18 2.4 The cost of hiring a consultant to prepare a Municipal Wide Whistle Cessation Study based on the terms of reference in Attachment 2, and including an implementation plan, is estimated at $150,000. This study would be subject to Council approval and is estimated to take three months to complete. 2.5 As per section 275 of the Municipal Act, 2001, certain actions of Council are currently restricted (i.e. lame duck) respecting expenditures exceeding $50,000. Consequently, Council cannot approve this expenditure and staff recommend this project be included in the 2019 Capital Budget for Council's consideration. 2.6 Staff have reviewed the correspondence from Ken and Shelly Rivers regarding Train Whistle Cessation in Clarington. As a former train mechanic, locomotive engineer and Firefighter, Mr. Rivers shared his concern that public safety would be compromised should the municipality approve whistle cessation. Mr. and Ms. Rivers have been included as an interested party to this report. 3. Automated Warning Systems 3.1 In response to the second item of Council Resolution #C-082-18 requesting "That Staff be directed to report back on options for low cost highway rail active warning systems with reference to recent reports on same." Staff provide the following: 3.2 Locomotive horn warnings are prescribed by the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR 14) which require all trains to sound their whistle when approaching a public grade crossing, and more specifically, when they are 400 m from the crossing. 3.3 The most recent research regarding alternatives to locomotive horn warnings when approaching a level crossing in Canada was completed in Saguenay, Quebec in August 2006. The study was titled "Saguenay Wayside Horn Evaluation Project" and was completed far the Transportation Development Centre, Transport Canada by TranSys Research Ltd. This pilot project was conducted to study the use of wayside horns instead of the mandated locomotive horns. Although the study showed some benefits of using wayside horns, Transport Canada noted that additional studies would be required before they would be an accepted alternative to the current locomotive horns. In addition, warrants, standards and a cost sharing formula would also need to be developed. 3.4 Other municipalities such Aurora, York and Markham were considering the possibility of an alternate warning system pending the results of Transport Canada's Automated Horn System Evaluation study. After completion of the study, Transport Canada did not support the use of an alternative warning system and the Canadian Rail Operating Rules remained unchanged. As a result, the municipalities abandoned the idea and are now considering whistle cessation. 3.5 Until Transport Canada revises their current audible warning requirements for level crossings, staff do not recommend pursuing this option for Clarington as there would be Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report EGD -017-18 considerable expense to undertaking additional studies and the uncertainty that Transport Canada will eventually accept wayside horns as an alternative audible warning system. 4. Concurrence Not Applicable 5. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that the municipality hire a consultant to prepare a Municipal Wide Whistle Cessation Study based on the draft terms of reference in Attachment 2, including an implementation plan, and that this project be referred to the Municipality's 2019 Capital Budget for consideration. 6. Strategic Plan Application The recommendations contained in this report conform to Priority 4 of the 2015 - 2018 Strategic Plan initiative to "Enable safe, efficient traffic flow and active transportation". Submitted by. Anthony Cannella, Director of Engineering Services Reviewed by: Andrew C. Allison, B. Comm, LL.B CAO Staff Contact: Ron Albright, Assistant Director, 905-623-3379 ext. 2305 or RAIbright@clarington.net Attachments: Attachment 1 - Correspondence from Ken and Shelly Rivers Attachment 2 - Terms of Reference for Train Whistle Cessation Study The following is a list of the interested parties to be notified of Council's decision: Ken and Shelly Rivers Wilmot Creek Homeowners Association $WWDFKPHQW WR 5HSRU' 7"� T(3 F M /+ yo/? 5 c FF/c E %"I ji 2C /1 Z / - Z ( 6'' S AS f} F62w1,E/Z cP 2/q/L 7/2/•i/vV !"�EcN/�n>tG � Sac.�Ttl S'l�'�'ICc�� /a�/��7/9UL-_RR/�w.q 0cc, Pl0?'(u Gf, IENlriivr_E/Z r(C-117-E/t FoR G G-/E2/�•�G-�`o /�l �iv� �J C�STL. E � ©/�v.vd} � T waccG�J �1K� Tei c%rc L r-�c /41?c�cc'i /dEST/zIGT/aiti cF. 72 i/!L' (vy/SiL E: S�GNE?L Ai�N/2< /►c(//�t/� Pmt c>L rC. c%c5.5'S ii�scti S A i T Fl FC. 7fif1? 5'r+F!?Y /s 6RE647-L y Go/�l'R®NNIS D t•/H�/v Tft /'� /S .vr� O rU G F_ /L f� d c�t1 NG E w !1 2rv�vG% a l: yoi J c TrAlw-5 ARE /,v CLOSE pp,0x/pl/y/ AT 114 COL11-v r --AS/ L y 5" �u�G•F rNE S/'L•%p ,6F f7N A/'P2oc/a/ivG=7"f,'i9/iJ (5F /TS' Sl;P'C , c6"7 t /aF,+�' 7"//E Wy,SrSlur<UW-L /S Svu/r,�lvE,� f►PP/(or-)c/a!l✓G- c/zoss11t)6rs /7— c o'V v e -YS T ff E /�1 F SS.w3 G�� Tf/HT i fI Ey ccswllvtlCr Tff2oLtiGf! A -T gPEF`� To S.TA>/ c4F_1�,2 oF'fl'�lG/cS. G'l lanl3�WToN G/ccSS/N(r S 14rF ALSORF9L A/2E�1SAS t�PFbsS�a� f�eIV l�ru6M, 1�.� r -Sidi PF -12 ?HE A21/CLE 11V Tf/E Lc:�IcAL wE(J'SPAPAR e A5 i T�E %��57(ZIGT10ly p � 7R6't//ti wl-/IS% �.ES �' p.c�Ll� C/2c�S�iv(j-�-i AS f} F62w1,E/Z cP 2/q/L 7/2/•i/vV !"�EcN/�n>tG � Sac.�Ttl S'l�'�'ICc�� /a�/��7/9UL-_RR/�w.q 0cc, Pl0?'(u Gf, IENlriivr_E/Z r(C-117-E/t FoR G G-/E2/�•�G-�`o /�l �iv� �J C�STL. E � ©/�v.vd} � T waccG�J �1K� Tei c%rc L r-�c /41?c�cc'i /dEST/zIGT/aiti cF. 72 i/!L' (vy/SiL E: S�GNE?L Ai�N/2< /►c(//�t/� Pmt c>L rC. c%c5.5'S ii�scti S A i T Fl FC. 7fif1? 5'r+F!?Y /s 6RE647-L y Go/�l'R®NNIS D t•/H�/v Tft /'� /S .vr� O rU G F_ /L f� d c�t1 NG E w !1 2rv�vG% a l: yoi J c TrAlw-5 ARE /,v CLOSE pp,0x/pl/y/ AT 114 COL11-v r --AS/ L y 5" �u�G•F rNE S/'L•%p ,6F f7N A/'P2oc/a/ivG=7"f,'i9/iJ (5F /TS' Sl;P'C , c6"7 t /aF,+�' 7"//E Wy,SrSlur<UW-L /S Svu/r,�lvE,� f►PP/(or-)c/a!l✓G- c/zoss11t)6rs /7— c o'V v e -YS T ff E /�1 F SS.w3 G�� Tf/HT i fI Ey ccswllvtlCr Tff2oLtiGf! A -T gPEF`� To S.TA>/ c4F_1�,2 oF'fl'�lG/cS. G'l lanl3�WToN G/ccSS/N(r S 14rF ALSORF9L A/2E�1SAS t�PFbsS�a� f�eIV l�ru6M, 1�.� r -Sidi Terms of Reference Train Whistle Cessation Study DRAFT 1. Background $VWDFKPHOiWR5HSRUW('r Train whistling is an important warning device for the safety of users at a grade railway crossings. According to Section 14 ❑ Engine Whistle Signals of the Canadian Railway Operating Rules, trains must sound whistle signals before entering all public grade crossings, with some exceptions. Whistling in residential areas is sometimes a nuisance for nearby residents. The Railway Safety Act allows municipalities for the cessation of whistling, if certain conditions are met. Grade Crossings Regulations and Grade Crossing Standards provide those requirements. Transport Canada provides a procedure for eliminating whistling at public grade crossings (https://www.tc.qc.ca/enq/railsafety/railsafety-976.html). This link refers to the process Transport Canada requires Municipalities to follow if they would like to pursue whistle cessation at a grade crossing and includes the following steps and requirements: ❑ Contact the railway company. ❑ Notify the general public and all relevant organizations of its plan to pass a council resolution supporting the cessation of train whistling in the area. F Assess the crossing(s) against the Transport Canada Grade Crossing Standards with the railway company. L Agree with Railway Company that the crossing(s) meets the Transport Canada Grade Crossing Standards. F Pass a council resolution supporting the cessation of train whistling at the crossing. The Municipality of Clarington seeking engineering services from a qualified consultant to review 24 at -grade crossings for a whistle cessation application to Transport Canada. 2. Purpose The purpose of this RFP is to retain a qualified consultant with the relevant experience to conduct Safety Assessment as described in the Transport Canada Guideline. The results of the assessment are to be documented in a written report suitable for use in negotiating a Whistle Cessation Agreement between CN Railway (CNR) and the Municipality. 3. Scope of Work , Q DFFRIODCFH fit 7 LMvSRI➢N DGD(D V 3 LW K1_H= -1 RQ CRU( (OP MZU11 Whistling At Public Crossings, whistle cessation reviews will be completed at the following 24 locations: RAILWAY RAILWAY COMPANY SUBDIVISION AND MILEAGE CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 170.07 ROADWAY NAME NAME OF BUILT UP AREA PRESTONVALE ROAD COURTICE CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 169.31 TRULLS ROAD COURTICE CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 168.22 BASELINE ROAD COURTICE CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 167.08 RUNDLE ROAD DARLINGTON CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 166.92 BASELINE ROAD DARLINGTON CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 166.55 HOLT ROAD DARLINGTON CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 165.98 MAPLE GROVE ROAD MAPLE GROVE CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 164.22 SCUGOG STREET BOWMANVILLE CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 162.92 MEARNS AVENUE BOWMANVILLE CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 162.38 LAMBS ROAD DARLINGTON CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 160.82 CONCESSION STREET E DARLINGTON CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 158.07 ARTHUR STREET NEWCASTLE CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 155.66 LAKESHORE ROAD NEWCASTLE CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 152.90 LAKESHORE ROAD NEWTONVILLE CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 151.43 LANCASTER ROAD NEWCASTLE CP RAIL BELLEVILLE - 149.86 EAST TOWNLINE ROAD CAMPBELLCROFT CN RAIL KINGSTON - 296.22 DARLINGTON PARK ROAD COURTICE CN RAIL KINGSTON - 290.44 PORT DARLINGTON ROAD BOWMANVILLE CN RAIL KINGSTON - 286.75 TORONTO STREET NEWCASTLE CN RAIL KINGSTON - 285.38 METCALF ROAD NEWCASTLE CN RAIL KINGSTON - 285.05 RILEY ROAD NEWCASTLE CN RAIL KINGSTON - 281.60 LAKESHORE ROAD NEWTONVILLE CN RAIL KINGSTON - 279.58 ELLIOT ROAD NEWTONVILLE CN RAIL KINGSTON - 278.54 EAST TOWNLINE ROAD NEWTONVILLE The format of the reviews will follow CNR Crossing Safety Assessment requirements. This will include, but may not be limited to: 1. Vehicle and Train Operations 2. Identification of Existing Conditions 3. Road Geometry 4. Sightlines 5. Signage 6. Warning System Specifications 7. Whistle Cessation Study The review team shall complete field reviews of the rail crossing locations, including taking notes, photos, measurements, and collecting other observational information, as required, to complete the reviews. The review team shall be required to coordinate the reviews with the associated rail operators; acquire any required rail operation information from the associated rail operator, and any other relevant information from those appropriate agencies. The consultant is responsible in obtaining any and all necessary permissions, permits, and traffic control necessary for the completion of the inspections. 4. Deliverables The Consultant shall provide to the Municipality: ❑ Agendas, minutes, and correspondence for all meetings; ❑ An independent assessment for each railway crossing location, to include: o Details and summary of assessment o Plans detailing the recommended mitigation measures required to achieve whistle cessation o Cost estimates associated with whistle cessation mitigation measures ❑ Preparation of an Implementation Plan for the construction of the level crossing safety improvements, that takes into account the available funding through the annual municipal budget, Transport Canada funding program and other funding opportunities that may become available. ❑ Draft report for review and comments for final report. ❑ Final report, including 3 hard copies and one digital copy The Municipality shall provide to the Consultant the relevant vehicle traffic data (volumes and collision statistics), base maps of the rail crossing locations and comments received from the public and stakeholders.