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Home My WebLink AboutEGD-029-16 Claringtol Engineering a i Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Municipal Clerk at 905-623-3379 ext. 2102. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: June 20, 2016 Report Number: EGD-029-16 Resolution: File Number: By-law Number: Report Subject: Pedestrian Safety at Vincent Massey Public School Recommendations: 1. That Report EGD-029-16 be received for information. Municipality of Clarington Report EG®-029-16 Page 2 Report Overview On Mar. 21, 2016, Clarington Council passed a resolution (#C-083-16) directing staff to provide a report on a number of issues regarding pedestrian safety at Vincent Massey Public School located at St. George St. and Church St. in Bowmanville. This report will address the six issues identified by Council in that resolution. 1 . Background 1.1. Vincent Massey Public School Vincent Massey Public School is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 public school located on the north side of Church St. west of St. George St. in Bowmanville. In order to facilitate the construction of the new expansion of the Bowmanville Professional Building on the east side of St. George St., a temporary entrance was permitted at the east end of St. George St. allowing uninterrupted access into the Professional Building's parking lot. At the outset, staff can advise that the temporary entrance will be relocated to its permanent location (approximately half way between Church St. and King St. E.) which is anticipated to occur in July of this year. The temporary access is gated; therefore, eastbound motorists must stop at the gate located just east of St. George St. (see Attachment 1). When the temporary entrance was first installed, staff became aware that some students were not crossing Church St. (to travel south) at the appropriate location which would be to stay on the sidewalks on the north side of Church St. and the east side of St. George St. Apparently, some students were crossing the street in front of the school without giving the right-of-way to cars entering the Professional Building parking lot. As well, some motorists were not coming to a full stop at the stop sign on St. George St. before turning west on Church St. or east into the Professional Building parking lot. This caused concern to the school, parents and Municipal staff. In response, staff investigated the site and vicinity. Once the entrance has been constructed in the permanent location, there will not be any motorists travelling straight through (eastbound) into the parking lot nor straight out (westbound) from the parking lot. The pedestrian issue will be resolved, and traffic and pedestrian movement patterns will revert to those in the past (which has not been a problem). 1.2. Area Improvements Since staff's first contact with the school in February of this year regarding their concern, the following improvements have been made: Municipality of Clarington Report EGD-029-16 Page 3 • The apron of the temporary driveway into the parking lot has been "hatched" in yellow paint to better identify it as a driveway (even though vehicles have to stop at the gates). • PEDESTRIANS AHEAD signage has been placed for eastbound traffic (into the temporary driveway) and northbound traffic near the stop sign in addition to the existing SCHOOL AREA signage. • Durham Region Police Services (DRPS) has been requested to have a presence in the area to ensure compliance with the rules of the road for both pedestrians and motorists. • The stop sign has been relocated to a more appropriate location in the presence of the temporary entrance into the parking lot. • A stop bar has been added on St. George St. at the stop sign. 1.3 Resolution #C-083-16 At its Mar. 21, 2016 meeting, Council passed the following resolution: "That staff be directed to provide a report regarding the following, with respect to pedestrian safety at Vincent Massey Public School and the intersection of St. George St. and King St. E. • A stop sign at St. George St. and Church St. • Lengthening the crossing light at the pedestrian cross walk at King St. E. and St. George St. • A crossing guard at King St. E. and St. George St. • Vincent Massey Public School being designated a Municipal Safety Zone, with increased fines • That staff make recommendations to enhance pedestrian safety with regard to the construction taking place at 222 King St. E.; and • That the DRPS be invited to provide input and work with staff on addressing safety issues in the area." Municipality of Clarington Report EGD-029-16 Page 4 2. Discussion 2.1. Stop Sign at St. George St. and Church St. The intersection of St. George St. and Church St. is a two-legged right-angled intersection (St. George St. to the west and Church St. to the south). There is a low volume driveway to the north and a temporary driveway to the east. There is a northbound stop sign on St. George St. It is not necessary nor warranted to install an all- way stop control at this two-legged intersection. 2.2. Traffic Signals at King St. E. and St. George St. Municipal staff have not received any complaints regarding the timing of these traffic signals; however, the Region of Durham was requested to review the current timing and advise Clarington staff of their findings. On April 19th, the Region met Municipal staff at this intersection. Staff operated the push buttons for the crossing several times during the site visit. The crossing time is longer than the minimum required (which is what most intersections are set for). The crossing time was far more than adequate for slowly moving pedestrians to cross. The Region confirmed that they do not recommend any change to the crossing time at this intersection. 2.3. Crossing Guard at King St. E. and St. George St. The request for the Municipality to install a crossing guard at this intersection was reviewed. The Municipality does not add crossing guards to an already signalized intersection. Given that the signal timing was reviewed in the field with the Region, it is staff's opinion that this intersection provides for efficient pedestrian crossing. 2.4. Municipal Safety Zone (subsequently clarified as Community Safety Zone) According to the Ontario Traffic Manual, Community Safety Zones (CSZ) can be established in areas where the safety of children/citizens is paramount. Traffic related offences committed within the zone are subject to increased fines (up to double) at the discretion of the enforcement officer. A CSZ is enforceable under the Highway Traffic Act, and the locations for the CSZ are established in the Municipality's Traffic and Parking By-law. Typically, a short local street such as Church St. is not required to be designated as a CSZ. Staff have never received any complaints of speeding in this area. CSZ's are usually designated on collector or arterial roads where traffic volumes are higher and the potential for speeding is greater on these higher classifications of road e.g. Scugog St. and Longworth Ave. 2.5. Staff Recommendations to Enhance Pedestrian Safety with Regard to Construction at 222 King St. E. Staff have thoroughly investigated the subject area, have consulted with the school and have engaged Durham Region Police Services for input. As outlined above, signage and pavement marking improvements have been made, and staff do not recommend any additional measures during this temporary situation. Municipality of Clarington Report EGD-029-16 Page 5 2.6. Durham Region Police Services Input DRPS has advised that they are aware of past complaints in this area. The area is on DRPS's "list of active complaints", and officers monitor the area when time and calls for service allow. Additionally, DRPS has launched a "Red Means Stop" campaign in Durham Region. According to DRPS's 2016 Community Safety Plan, the campaign "will focus on intersections controlled by stop signs or traffic lights, school zones and school bus infractions. Enforcement will target stop sign and red light infractions at intersections and areas where some of the most vulnerable in our community, our youth, travel to and from school." The desired outcomes of the campaign are: • Reduction in community complaints and infractions at identified intersections • Safety for children and parents travelling to and from school The DRPS Municipal Traffic Liaison selects twenty intersections in four zones in East Division and follows a lengthy plan (outlined in the Community Safety Plan) to achieve the desired outcomes. The Traffic Liaison has advised that the intersection of St. George St. and Church St. is one of the selected intersections in this initiative. DRPS will analyze their findings and communicate them to Municipal Engineering staff at the conclusion of the campaign which is anticipated to occur in late fall. 3. Concurrence Not Applicable 4. Conclusion After investigation, road improvements and consultation with DRPS and Vincent Massey Public School, it is staff's opinion that no additional measures need to be implemented to improve pedestrian safety during the temporary situation at the intersection of St. George St. and Church St. 5. Strategic Plan Application Not applicable. L- Submitted by: Reviewed by: 1A Anthony S. Cannella, C.E.T. ranklin Wu, Director of Engineering Services ay Chief Administrative Officer Staff Contact: Leslie J. Benson, Manager, Development Engineering and Traffic, 905-623- 3379 ext. 2304 or Ibenson@clarington.net Municipality of Clarington Report EGD-029®16 Page 6 Attachments: Attachment 1: Location Plan There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision. ASC/LJB/nl/jb lY �kif p` r a 0 U .0111t.f �I N "'VINCENT MASSEY PUBLIC SCHOOL r Northbound T6mp,orary'Ent rance . � � Stop into Parking Lot w CHURCH STREET Control 04 wl r Yyry ' 1 Future , rI P'e*manent�Entr�a�n�cee; N R � W W W N �I r1 KING STREET EAST an N i - y ai S King.St. CT DRAWN BY: E.L. DATE: Baseline Rd. June 20, 2016 1 0 REPORT EGD-029-16 Hwy.-401__ ATTACHMENT No. 1 c.� FILE NAME: BOWMANVILLE KEY MAP Church St Temp Ent.mxd J:\Engineering\Attachments\Attachments Post ESRI Upgrade\Church St Temp Ent.mxd