and Members of Municipal Council City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Pettit Avenue Speed Control Review

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1 November 28, 2017 REPORT TO: SUBMITTED BY: SUBJECT: Mayor James M. Diodati and Members of Municipal Council City of Niagara Falls, Ontario Transportation Services Department Pettit Avenue Speed Control Review RECOMMENDATIONS 1. That the speed control plan consisting of six (6) speed cushions on Pettit Avenue between Dorchester Road and the dead end south of Doreen Drive and a pedestrian crossover at the northern leg of the Pettit Avenue and Doreen Drive intersection be approved; 2. That construction of six (6) speed cushions on Pettit Avenue be referred to the 2018 Capital Budget deliberations; and, 3. That the yield sign on Crawford Street, Glenayr Avenue, Palis Crescent and Sherwood Road at Pettit Avenue be replaced with a stop sign. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A request was received from a Pettit Avenue resident for Staff to review the installation of speed control devices to curtail speeding concerns. Staff followed up with speed studies and noted that a speeding problem was present. Questionnaires distributed to all residents on Pettit Avenue garnered a majority support for speed control devices from the neighbourhood. A stop sign is recommended at four intersections along Pettit Avenue where a yield sign currently assigns the right-of-way. BACKGROUND The City received a petition from a Pettit Avenue resident to consider speed control devices on the street to mitigate speeding issues. Pettit Avenue is a two-lane, two-way residential collector road that extends 1.2 kilometres from Dorchester Road to a dead end south of Doreen Drive. Pettit Avenue has an urban cross-section consisting of an 8.0 metre asphalt width, curb and gutter on

2 2 November 28, 2017 both sides and a continuous sidewalk on each side. The legal speed limit is 50 km/h. Pettit Avenue is not a transit route, but is used by school bus drivers due to Cherrywood Acres School being located on Pettit Avenue. There is an all-way stop at Sheldon Avenue, at the approximate midpoint of Pettit Avenue. Glengate Park is located on the east side of Pettit Avenue between Crawford Street and Glenayr Avenue. There is also a church across the street from the school. ANALYSIS/RATIONALE Speed studies were carried out, both in the morning and afternoon. The data identified that the operating speed is between 55 km/h both north and south of Sheldon Avenue. Staff considers a speeding problem when the operating speed exceeds the speed limit where there is at least one pedestrian generator, such as a school or a community park abutting the road. Given the study results and the existing sensitive land uses on Pettit Avenue, the technical component for speed control devices is fulfilled. Pettit Avenue carries approximately 2,300 cars daily near Dorchester Road and 750 cars daily south of Sheldon Street. These traffic volumes are within the expectations of a collector road. There is not a collision problem on Pettit Avenue. Given that a speeding problem was identified, Staff solicited the input of the neighbourhood on their preference for speed control devices. A total of 99 questionnaires were delivered to all property owners. Sixty (60) responses were received, representing a 61% response rate. Fifty-two (52) respondents identified that they are in support of speed control devices, which is a 53% support from neighbourhood. The response rate surpasses the minimum 51% of the residents on the streets that have to be in favour of speed control devices. Therefore, the residential component for speed control devices is fulfilled. Given that the neighbourhood was in support of speed mitigation measures, Staff developed a speed control plan that consisted of a series of speed cushions and a pedestrian crossover in front of the school. Speed cushions are a modified speed hump that has openings to allow vehicles with wider wheelbases, such as a fire truck or an ambulance, unencumbered passage. A driver of a passenger vehicle will have one side of their vehicle pass over the hump. Speed cushions are generally round or flat-topped encouraging motorists to drive over them at speeds of km/h. Speed cushions have been constructed on Angie Drive in autumn 2016 as part of the subdivision speed control plan. No negative comments have been received from residents of Angie Drive or from the surrounding neighbourhood regarding these devices. A neighbourhood meeting was held on at the Gale Centre, to allow Pettit Avenue stakeholders the opportunity to review Staff s concept plan and provide comments. Residents from fourteen (14) Pettit Avenue households attended the open house. The public meeting material was posted on the City s website after the open

3 3 November 28, 2017 house for those that could not attend the meeting, and this information was identified in the open house notice. Comments were received from three (3) additional households. In total, twelve (12) residents provided comments on the speed control plan. Eight (8) residents supported the plan, all of whom have previously identified that they were in support of speed control. Four (4) residents identified that they did not want to have speed cushions installed on their street. The responses from the public meeting are similar to preferences of the questionnaire. However, the majority of the neighbourhood still remains in support of speed control on Pettit Avenue. Several residents, both in support and not in support of speed control, identified their desire to have additional all-way stops install on Pettit Avenue, with Glengate Street being the popular location. At the public meeting, Staff advised residents that all-way stop controls on their own are not meant to be used as speed control devices, and may not achieve the results the neighbourhood expects. All-way stops have little effect on speed beyond a 30 metre threshold of the intersection. Drivers tend to disobey the posted sign if there inconsistent traffic demand on the side street. Homeowners residing near Sheldon Street commented that many drivers are not fully stopping for the posted stop signs, particularly in the morning and afternoon when parents/guardians are transporting their kids to and from school. Staff recommends that the speed control plan be implemented first, then evaluate the possibility of installing all-way stop controls, where warranted, during the follow up assessment if requested by the neighbourhood to supplement the neighbourhood traffic plan. There are 10 tee-intersections along Pettit Avenue within the study area. Four teeintersections along Pettit Avenue are controlled by a yield sign on the minor road approach. They are located on Crawford Street, Glenayr Avenue, Palis Crescent and Sherwood Road. A stop sign in its place is recommended as visibility triangle requirement for a yield controlled intersection is not met, thus warranting the stop condition. This is common in developed residential areas when vegetation, fences and dwellings are present within the visibility clear zone. Niagara Student Transportation Services Staff do not have any concerns with their bus drivers travelling over the speed cushions. They noted that since there is a school directly on Pettit Avenue, they will not have the ability to reroute buses if they receive complaints. Fire Service Staff has no objections to the speed control plan. The proposed speed cushions will allow their fire response vehicles to bypass the devices without being delayed. Staff is recommending the construction of six (6) speed cushions in the locations identified at the public meeting, along with a pedestrian crossover at the northern leg of the Pettit Avenue and Doreen Drive intersection.

4 4 November 28, 2017 FINANCIAL/STAFFING/LEGAL IMPLICATIONS The construction of the speed cushions is estimated at $33,000 and will be included in the 2018 Capital Budget. The installation of the signs for the pedestrian crossover and stop signs is to be carried out by Transportation Services staff. The labour and material costs are accounted for in the approved 2017 General Purposes Budget. It is estimated that the cost to install the signs is approximately $2,000. CITY S STRATEGIC COMMITMENT Encourage multi-modal travel and active transportation initiatives, and enhance motorist, cyclist and pedestrian safety. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS Public Meeting Boards Recommended by: Karl Dren, Director of Transportation Services Respectfully submitted: Ken Todd, Chief Administrative Officer

5 Pettit Avenue Speed Control Review Existing All-Way Stop Recommended Stop Sign in place of Yield Sign Speed Cushion

6 WELCOME PETTIT AVENUE SPEED CONTROL REVIEW NIEGHBOURHOOD OPEN HOUSE City of Niagara Falls Transportation Services NEIGHBOURHOOD TRAFFIC REVIEW OBJECTIVES A Neighbourhood Traffic Review should be undertaken in consideration of the following goals: Enhance the quality of life and livability in City of Niagara Falls' neighbourhoods through the use of traffic management measures, such as speed humps, that reduce or control the impact of vehicle traffic; Change the culture of neighbourhood street use from 'cars first' to 'people first'; Create neighbourhood environments that support and encourage the use of non-auto modes of travel such as cycling, walking and transit; and, Develop a transportation system that recognizes and accommodates to the greatest extent possible, the multitude of activities that take place along the roadway. The process should involve: Public consultation and input in all aspects of the process; A process that is fair, balanced and equitable and reflects the needs of all users; and A process that reflects the City of Niagara Falls funding capabilities. Specific objectives of the Neighbourhood Traffic Review are to: Improve safety and convenience for all users of the street; Reduce the number and severity of collisions; Reduce the volume and/or speed of motorized traffic; Reduce the volume of traffic that has neither its origin or destination within the residential neighbourhood; Minimize effects on the adjacent or nearby local residential streets; and Reduce motor vehicle emissions. BACKGROUND & EXISTING CONDITIONS The City received a request from a resident to review the speed of traffic and consider speed control devices on Pettit Avenue Pettit Avenue is a two-lane, two-way residential collector road extends 1.2 kilometres from Dorchester Road to a dead end south of Doreen Drive is one of four entry points into the neighbourhood from Dorchester Road, and its northernmost connection has an urban cross-section consisting of a concrete curb & gutter, grass boulevard and continuous sidewalk on both sides throughout the study area contains two 45-degree road bends in the northern half of the study area has a standard 8.0 metre road width has a 50 km/h speed limit is not a transit route, but is used by school bus drivers is within 2 km of two (2) fire stations has an all-way stop at Sheldon Street contains Cherrywood Acres Public Elementary School, which is located opposite of Doreen Drive has a school crossing guard at Morrison Street, for children walking to Cherrywood Acres School is in the catchment area for two other elementary schools John Marshall and Notre Dame contains Glengate Park, which is located on the east side between Crawford Street and Glenayr Avenue allows parking on both sides of Pettit Avenue for most of its length has a new retirement building being constructed at the south end of the study area TECHNICAL DATA Pettit Avenue carries approximately 2,300 cars daily near Dorchester Road and 750 cars daily south of Sheldon Street. These traffic volumes are within the expectations of a collector road. There is not a collision problem on Pettit Avenue. There has been one (1) documented motor vehicle collision in the previous three years. Cherrywood Acres School has a large boundary area for children walking to school. Pettit Avenue is also used by children walking to/from John Marshall School and Notre Dame School, both north of Thorold Stone Road. There are crossing guards at three locations to assist children across Thorold Stone Road. Speed studies were carried out, both in the morning and afternoon. The data identified that the operating speed is 55 km/h both to the north and south of Sheldon Street. The City considers a speeding problem when the operating speed exceeds the speed limit where there is at least one pedestrian generator abutting the road. A neighbourhood park abuts Pettit Avenue north of Sheldon Street and an elementary school is located south of Sheldon Street. Given the study results and the existing sensitive land uses on Pettit Avenue, the technical component for speed control devices is fulfilled. 1

7 PUBLIC CONSULTATION Given that a speeding problem was identified, Staff solicited the input of the neighbourhood on their preference for speed control devices. North of Sheldon Street o 26 questionnaires were delivered o 17 responses were received (65%) o 15 respondents are in support of speed control devices equates to 58% support o 2 respondents are not in support of speed control devices South of Sheldon Street o 73 questionnaires were delivered o 43 responses were received (59%) o 37 respondents are in support of speed control devices equates to 51% support o 6 respondents are not in support of speed control devices The residential component for speed control devices on Pettit Avenue is achieved. SPEED HUMPS Speed humps are asphalt mounds constructed on residential streets for the purposes of reducing vehicular speeds. Speed humps are generally round or flat-topped encouraging motorists to drive over them at speeds of km/h. Each speed hump costs approximately $3,500 Advantages: Reduces speed of motorists to less than 40 km/h Have the advantage of being self-enforcing May reduce number & severity of collisions Safer conditions for cyclists and pedestrians A parking restriction is not required at the speed hump location Discourages cut-through traffic Disadvantages: Increases noise with drivers decelerating & accelerating, and with school buses passing over the humps Increases emergency vehicle response time Local Example: Preakness Street SPEED CUSHIONS Speed cushions are a modified speed hump that has openings to allow vehicles with wider wheelbases, such as a fire truck or an ambulance, unencumbered passage. A driver of a passenger vehicle will have one side of their vehicle pass over the hump. Speed cushions are generally round or flat-topped encouraging motorists to drive over them at speeds of km/h. Each speed cushion costs approximately $5,000 SPEED HUMP/CUSHION SPECIFICATIONS What is the difference between a speed bump and a speed hump or cushion? Advantages: Reduces speed of motorists to less than 40 km/h Have the advantage of being self-enforcing May reduce number & severity of collisions Safer conditions for cyclists and pedestrians A parking restriction is not required at the speed cushion location Discourages cut-through traffic Does not slow down emergency vehicles (due to wider wheelbases) as drivers can pass through the gaps Disadvantages: Increases noise with drivers decelerating & accelerating over the humps Local Example: Angie Drive (off of Kalar Road south of Freshco) Photo of a portable speed cushion for clarity Speed Bump Speed Hump or Cushion Height 8 centimetres 8 centimetres Length centimetres 4 metres Causes Abrupt vertical motion Gentle rocking motion Encourages speeds of 10 km/h or less km/h Legal on Public Roads? No Yes 2

8 PEDESTRIAN CROSSOVER GUIDING PRINCIPLES The Ontario Government is allowing municipalities to install new types of crossovers. Below is an illustration of a crossover that would be appropriate on Pettit Avenue. Speed control devices are located based on the following: Drivers, including cyclists are legally required to stop and yield the entire roadway for a pedestrian at a pedestrian crossovers. Only when pedestrians have completely crossed the road and are safely on the sidewalk can drivers and cyclists proceed. Drivers are not required to stop at the pedestrian crossover if there is not a pedestrian wishing to cross the road. There are two (2) other versions of the new crossovers that have flashing beacons, but these are typically installed on higher volume roads. Cost to install signs and markings is approximately $2,500. Devices are most effective if they are evenly spaced so that motorists are not able to speed between them Cannot be placed in front of driveways since signs are posted on both sides of the road next to the device. This way their location is known when the roads are snow covered. Devices are avoid on road curves. Avoid placing them where utilities, manholes, valves, catch basins, etc. are located; and ensure positive drainage is maintained Devices are unnecessary near the existing all-way stop at Sheldon Street, since drivers are required to stop at this intersections by law. NEIGHBOURHOOD SPEED WATCH PROGRAM The Neighbourhood Speed Watch Program is an educational safety program designed to raise awareness of the speed drivers are traveling. A group of two or more concerned residents volunteers a few hours of their time to operate the equipment and identify speeding vehicles in the neighbourhood. The Neighbourhood Speed Watch Program is intended to give motorists a friendly reminder of the speed in residential areas. CONCEPT PLAN, NORTHERN SECTION OF STUDY AREA Three (3) speed cushions are proposed as follows: 1. In front of 4063 Pettit Avenue / side of 6837 Crawford Street 2. In front of 4167 Pettit Avenue / Glengate Park 3. In front of 4343 Pettit Avenue / side of 6605 Darcy Crescent Paint Centre lines at both road curves 3

9 CONCEPT PLAN, SOUTHERN SECTION OF STUDY AREA Three (3) speed cushions are proposed as follows: 1. In front of 4443 / 4446 Pettit Avenue 2. In front of 4515 / 4520 Pettit Avenue 3. In front of the school / 4604 Pettit Avenue NEXT STEPS Your input is important! Please take the time to comment on the study findings and recommended plan by either completing the comments sheet or getting in touch with one of the project team members. Talk to your neighbours who could not attend tonight and encourage them to provide their support for the speed control plan. Staff will incorporate and/or address the comments and suggestions received from this neighbourhood meeting in the final plan. A pedestrian crossover is proposed on the northern intersection leg of Doreen Drive at Pettit Avenue, directly in front of the school Comments are requested by Friday, July 7, Bring the matter to City Council for approval. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING The display boards and comment form from tonight s meeting will be posted on the City s website by the end of the week. City Hall Departments Transportation Services Transportation Engineering Project team members John Grubich, C.E.T. Bart Skiba Traffic Planning Supervisor Traffic Technologist (905) ext (905) ext jgrubich@niagarafalls.ca bskiba@niagarafalls.ca 4