Community & Infrastructures Services Committee

Transcription

1 REPORT TO: DATE OF MEETING: June 13, 2016 SUBMITTED BY: PREPARED BY: WARD(S) INVOLVED: Community & Infrastructures Services Committee Ken Carmichael, Interim Director, Transportation Services ext Ronald Schirm, Supervisor of Crossing Guards, ext ALL DATE OF REPORT: May 25, 2016 REPORT NO.: SUBJECT: INS School Zone 40 km/h Limit Pilot Project RECOMMENDATIONS: That 40 km/h School Speed Limit Zones be established along school frontages of elementary schools at the following locations: Chopin Drive from Westmount Road West to a point 300 metres south thereof; Lucerne Drive from Selkirk Drive to a point 200 metres west thereof; Shea Crescent from Laurentian Drive to a point 200 metres north thereof; Laurentian Drive from Howland Drive to Darcy Place; Caryndale Drive from Robertson Crescent to a point 350 metres south thereof; Confederation Drive from Tupper Crescent to Champlain Drive; Halifax Drive from Confederation Drive to point 250 metres north thereof; Country Hills Drive from Old Country Drive to a point 350 metres west thereof; Parkland Crescent from Driftwood Drive to Driftwood Drive; Franklin Street North from Bradley Drive to Dalewood Drive; Erinbrook Drive from Laurentian Drive to Highcroft Court; Morgan Avenue from Fairway Road North to Southill Drive; Patricia Avenue from Spadina Road West to Highland Road Highland Road West The Country Way from Erinbrook Drive to Spring Hill Place; Woodbine Avenue from Parkvale Drive to Sophia Crescent; Westforest Trail from Victoria Street South to a point 150 metres west thereof; Activa Avenue from David Bergey Drive to Copper Leaf Street; Zeller Drive from Susan Crescent to Wild Meadow Street; Forestwood Drive from McGarry Drive to Glen Park Crescent; Autumn Hill Crescent from Westheights Drive to a point 200 metres west thereof; Gracefield Crescent from a point 150 metres west of Kingswood Drive to a point 150 metres west of Kingswood Drive; Upper Canada Drive from Doon Village Road to a point 350 metres north thereof; Bechtel Drive from Doon Village Road to Pioneer Drive; Prueter Avenue from St. Leger Street to Boehmer Street; Edwin Street from Leonard Street to Elizabeth Street; *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call or TTY for assistance. 7-1

2 Elizabeth Street from Edwin Street to Oxford Street; Hoffman Street from Highland Road East to Kehl Street; Vanier Drive from Boniface Avenue to Erie Avenue; Wilson Avenue from Eighth Avenue to a point 230 metres north thereof; Connaught Street from Carrol Street to Traynor Avenue; Smithson Street from Sherwood Avenue to Belleview Avenue; Sherwood Avenue from Smithson Street to Suffolk Avenue; Belleview Avenue from Smithson Street to Suffolk Avenue; Queen s Boulevard from Silverspring Crescent to Bonfair Court; East Avenue from Pandora Avenue to Glendale Avenue; Lorne Avenue from Mausser Avenue to Gottscheer Court; Midland Drive from Ottawa Street North to a point 250 metres east thereof; Commonwealth Crescent from Commonwealth Street to Isabella Street; and further, That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly. BACKGROUND: In 2013 Council approved report (INS ) that recommended a pilot project implementing 40 km/h speed limits adjacent to 9 elementary schools in order to assess the effectiveness of reduced speed limits at schools. The report states that roadways adjacent to schools are, at very specific times of day, extremely busy locations with a concentration of pedestrian and vehicular traffic that is unique. With elementary school populations now frequently exceeding 600 students, almost double the average school size 20 years ago, the situation is more acute. This is not unique to the City, or the Region. Province-wide school boards are opting for larger schools as more services can be offered to more students more effectively. It is important to note that schools are not built to accommodate the vehicular demand that occurs on a daily basis around schools at bell times. In fact, approximately 25% of all daily traffic is school related (Transportation Tomorrow Survey (1999), Transportation Tomorrow Survey Group). When reviewing the Pedestrian Death Review from the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario (2012) a direct correlation between vehicle speed and severity of injury to pedestrians in vehicle-pedestrian collisions is drawn. 67% of the deaths in Ontario in 2012 occurred on roads with posted speeds beyond 50 km/h, and only 5% on roads below 50 km/h. Similar studies conducted in the U.S. show an inverse relationship between injury severity and vehicle speed. In referencing similar studies on the relationship between vehicle speed and pedestrian injury severity, Parachute Canada states: Children are more likely to be struck by a car in areas with higher speed limits. In fact, an increase in vehicle speeds results in an increase in the risk of injury. A pedestrian struck by a car traveling at 50 km/h is eight times more likely to be killed than a pedestrian struck at 30 km/hr. Even small reductions in speed can be significant. For each 1.6 km/h reduction in average speed, collisions are reduced by five per cent. Reducing vehicle speed has been proven to be effective in preventing crashes and reducing the severity of injuries. At a speed of 30 km/h, vehicles and pedestrians are both relatively safe; drivers have sufficient time to stop for pedestrians and pedestrians can make better crossing decisions. One must however note the caveat in regards to all this research is that although in Ontario in % of the pedestrian deaths were children, 0% were children aged 5 14 years. 7-2

3 Using the criteria outlined in Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) School and Playground Areas and Zones: Guidelines for Applications and Implementation, as well as other staff considerations, the nine schools and the streets they are located on were selected as the most suitable for the pilot project: Blessed Kateri Separate School on Pioneer Drive JW Gerth Public School on Apple Ridge Drive Pope John Paul II Separate School on Pebblecreek Drive MacKenzie King Public School on Natchez Road Suddaby Public School on Lancaster Street St. John Separate School on Strange Street Sheppard Public School on Stirling Avenue North St. Paul Separate School on Birchcliff Drive John Darling Public School on Rolling Meadows Drive REPORT: Transportation Services has completed its review of the study areas. The effectiveness of the 40 km/h school zone speed limits in reducing speeds was relatively limited. Studies indicate a change in speeds from 0% reduction to 20% reduction in all but one location. The Location of Stirling Avenue North adjacent to Sheppard Public School saw a slight increase in the operating speed. It must be noted however that the operating speed prior to the implementation were already less than 50 km/h. Speed and volume were measured at two locations within the 40 km zone of each school. As part of the pilot project, flashing lights were installed on Natchez Road for MacKenzie King Public School that were activated between 8 AM and 9 AM and 3 PM and 4 PM daily to indicate a 40 km/h speed limit. There have been some operational issues with the flashing lights; however, study results were collected prior to these issues and show the impact of functioning flashing 40 km/h zones. Transportation Services feels that the negligible impact of the flashing lights do not warrant the cost, which is approximately $6000 per school. Additionally, the placement of flashing lights sees the 40 km/h speed limit only in effect during school times. The placement of signs without the flashing lights results in the 40 km/h speed limit being in effect at all times. This is supported as school locations also serve as neighbourhood playgrounds, generating children activity in the area. Maintaining the 40 km/h speed limit at all times will help maintain lower speeds and safer traffic conditions in the areas of these playgrounds. School JW Gerth Public St. Paul Catholic Suddaby Public MacKenzie King Public Street Apple Ridge Drive Birchcliff Avenue Lancaster Street 85 th percentile speeds before (km/h) 85 th percentile speeds after (km/h) Speed difference (+/- km/h) Speed difference (percentage) % % % Natchez Road % 7-3

4 Pope John Paul Catholic St. Kateri Tekakwitha Separate John Darling Public Sheppard Public St. John Separate Pebblecreek Drive % Pioneer Drive % Rolling Meadows Drive Stirling Avenue North Strange Street % % % The City of Waterloo has completed its installation of 40 km/h zones at all elementary schools. The City of Cambridge also has 40 km/h zones in front of all elementary schools. For both cities the 40 km/h zones do not have defined times or days and the speed reduction are for all hours of every day. The Region of Waterloo has recently passed a report (TES-TRP ) recommending that speeds not be reduced along schools that abut Regional Roads. Regional Roads are all arterial roadways, which operate substantially differently from the local and collector roads that will be impacted by this report and reduced speed limits have very minimal impact on the arterial road network. At this point in time there is one elementary school that has frontage on City owned an arterial roadway. Southridge Public School is located on Queen s Boulevard, a secondary arterial roadway. To maintain consistent expectations on this classification of roadway and recognizing the ineffectiveness of reduced speeds on arterial roads it is recommended this location not be included. Further, if in the future an elementary school is built along a City arterial roadway staff recommends that the Region of Waterloo policy is followed and no school 40 km/h zone be established. As stated in report INS , Transportation Services is still hesitant to install signs that will be disregarded, but at the same time feels that in order to promote the expectation of drivers to drive slower in school areas, a common goal, requires the establishment of 40 km/h zones. Appendix A lists all elementary schools where 40 km/h school zone speed limits are to be established, as well as the elementary schools where either there already is a 40 km/h zone or where it will not be established because the school fronts on an arterial roadway. The establishment of 40 km/h zones at schools will also support the School Travel Planning initiative (INS ) as each elementary school community is encouraged to take more ownership of travel to and from school. The reduced speed limit can be reinforced through this program within each individual school community. The reduced speed limit will also provide the Waterloo Regional Police Service with a regulation that will allow for more effective speed enforcement in school zones. 7-4

5 ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The recommendations of this report support the achievement of the City s strategic vision through the delivery of a core service. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The cost per location of the installation will be approximately $ , based on the installation of four 40 km/h speed limit signs, two begins tabs, two ends tabs and 2 new sunburst as well as 4 posts. There are a total 38 locations for a total anticipated cost of approximately $38,000. This amount does not have current budget support, therefore it recommended that the funding for this initiative be referred to the 2017 budget process, allowing for installation of the new speed limit signs in COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Each school will be consulted on communicating the changes in each school community. Waterloo Regional Police Service will be consulted in enforcing the new speed limits based on their capacity to do so. Transportation Planning will work with school travel planning staff, as well as members of Active and Safe Routes to School, in providing a clear and consistent message of expectations of motorists in school areas in terms of rates of speed. PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER: This matter was originally considered at the April 8, 2013 Infrastructure Services Committee meeting in staff report INS , School Zone Speed Limit Pilot Project. CONCLUSION: Safety around schools and the promotion of active transportation to and from schools has become an issue affecting virtually all residents in the City. Whether they are parents and students trying to access schools at bell times, local residents affected by school related travel or residents using the local road network every day at bell times this has become an issue at the forefront. The installation of flashing 40 km/h that indicate the lower speed limit at specific times of the day should be reserved for high speed arterial roadways where no other alternative is available. Furthermore, as schools provide amenities that are routinely accessed by children and other residents at various times beyond school hours a constant 40 km/h assists in providing a safer and more comfortable access by local children and residents as well as consistent messaging to the motoring public.. The Cities of Cambridge and Waterloo have already established 40 km/h speed limits at all elementary school frontages on their local and collector road network and a consistent message from three Municipalities is important in this endeavour. Providing a safe environment for students accessing the school both in terms of actual safety and perceived safety enhances active travel, a goal identified in the School Travel Planning project, in terms of reducing vehicular traffic in and around schools and provlding students with healthier options for school travel is essential. Expecting motorists to drive slower in school zones is an important aspect of this and creating this expectation with reduced speed limits at schools this goal is more likely to be accomplished. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, Interim Executive Director Infrastructure Services Department 7-5

6 , Appendix A Schools and street locations with recommended 40 km/h zones School Street Ward Canadian Martyr s Separate School Confederation Drive 1 Canadian Martyr s Separate School Halifax Drive 1 Franklin Public School Franklin Street North 2 Howard Robertson Public School Morgan Avenue 2 St. Daniel Separate School Midland Drive 2 Lackner Woods Public School Zeller Drive 2 Rockway Public School Vanier Drive 3 Rockway Public School Boniface Avenue 3 Wilson Avenue Public School Wilson Avenue 3 St. Aloysius Separate School Connaught Avenue 3 St. Timothy Separate School Bechtel Drive 4 Pioneer Park Public School Upper Canada Drive 4 Brigadoon Public School Caryndale Drive 4 Jean Steckle Public School Woodbine Avenue 5 Williamsburg Public School Commonwealth Crescent 5 W.T. Townshend Public School Activa Avenue 5 John Sweeney Separate School Activa Avenue 5 Glencairn Public School Erinbrook Drive 6 Blessed Sacrament Separate School The Country Way 6 Ecole Cardinal Leger The Country Way 6 Alpine Public School Lucerne Drive 6 Monsignor Haller Separate School Shea Crescent 6 Trillium Public School Laurentian Drive 6 Our Lady Of Grace Separate School Gracefield Crescent 6 Country Hills Public School Country Hills Drive 6 Driftwood Park Public School Parkland Crescent 7 St. Dominic Separate School Westforest Trail 7 Meadowlane Public School Forestwood Drive 7 St. Mark Separate School Autumn Hill Crescent 7 J.F. Carmichael Public School Patricia Avenue 8 7-6

7 Queen Elizabeth Public School Hoffman Street 8 A.R. Kaufman Public School Chopin Drive 8 St. Bernadette Separate School Lorne Avenue 8 Smithson Public School Smithson Street 10 Smithson Public School Sherwood Avenue 10 Smithson Public School Belleview Avenue 10 St. Anne Separate School East Avenue 10 Prueter Avenue Public School Prueter Avenue 10 St. Teresa Separate School Edwin Street 10 St. Teresa Separate School Elizabeth Street

8 Appendix B Elementary Schools with existing 40 km/h speed limits School Street Location Ward Crestview Public School Montcalm Drive 1 Mackenzie King Public School Halifax Drive 1 St. Kateri Tekakwitha Separate School Pioneer Drive 4 J.W. Gerth Public School Appleridge Drive 4 John Darling Public School Rolling Meadows Drive 7 Westmount Public School Glasgow Street 8 St. Paul Separate School Birchcliffe Drive 8 St. John Separate School Strange Street 9 Suddaby Public School Lancaster Street 10 Appendix C Schools Located on the Arterial Road Network Speed Limits not reduced School Street Location Ward Bridgeport Public School Bridge Street 1 Sandhills Public School Victoria Street South 7 Southridge Public School Queen s Boulevard 8 Forest Hill Public School Westmount Road East 8 King Edward Public School King Street West 9 Sheppard Public School Weber Street East