Brevoort Neighbourhood (Proposed Draft Plan) TRAFFIC REVIEW Wednesday, September 24, 2014, 7:00 9:00 P.M. Walter Murray Collegiate Facilitators: Mitch Riabko & Kathy Dahl (Great Works Consulting) Meeting Overview & Introductions Kathy and Mitch introduced themselves. The meeting is about the resident s involvement, as to what is supported or what needs amending within the proposed draft traffic plan. What is the next step relies on the neighbourhood votes. If there is no support the draft traffic plan will go back to the drawing table, which will involve another meeting. Everyone is encouraged to participate during the small table discussions to have a chance to view the map and the recommendations. Open for questions and answers. The draft traffic plan is based on your feedback collected from the last meeting to reflect the discussions of the requirements for traffic flow in your neighbourhood. Reviewed the Foundations for Success for a positive discussion in finding resolutions together: o Sharing & gathering what is important as a whole community. o Respect every comment that comes forward and respect each other. o Integrity speak your mind and be honest. o Everyone to participate with respect and have fair representation. o Fair and equal representation to allow everyone to give their opinion. o Allow everyone to speak no repetitive discussion in order that everyone has an opportunity to participate o Orderly participation to allow opportunity for everyone. Councillor Olauson was in attendance. o Welcomed everyone to the meeting and encouraged the residents to express their concerns. o Introduced the presenter Justine Nyen. Brevoort Park Neighbourhood Traffic Review Presented by Justine Nyen Traffic Safety Engineer Described the process of how their studies work and why feedback is important in order to develop a neighbourhood-wide traffic plan. Community and stakeholder involvement is important. 1
Outline: How We Got Here Prior to January 2014 - past studies. January 2014 public meeting to gather concerns and potential solutions with 30 residents in attendance. January 2014 to present gathered feedback and collected traffic data; develop traffic plan collected through Shaping Saskatoon.ca, phone calls, letters, emails, and traffic data to develop the traffic plan. What We Heard Since January 2014 meeting collected traffic issues and potential solutions proposed by the residents. A. Speeding/Shortcutting: 8 th Street 7 th Street Arlington Avenue Salisbury Drive Early Drive from 7 th Street, around curves Back lanes north of Taylor Street, next to park located south of Early Drive Sparling Crescent shortcutting from parents dropping off/picking students up near school Phillips Crescent Speeding/Shortcutting Proposed Changes: Speed humps Install median on Early Drive around the curve Install 20kph speed sign in back lanes 8 th Street include left turn arrows for both directions at traffic signals; lane designation signs needed B. Pedestrian Safety: Arlington Avenue Early Drive, Salisbury Drive Salisbury Drive near alley that leads to park Early Dr. near school Pedestrian Safety Proposed Changes: Arlington Avenue & Early Drive centre median, activated pedestrian device Extend school zone on Arlington Avenue to Early Drive Cross guards for schools Install midblock crossing on Salisbury Drive at the alley that leads to park Install four-way stops or activated pedestrian devices on Early Drive More time for pedestrians to cross at 8 th Street 2
C. Intersection Safety Taylor Street & Arlington Avenue congested, WB is using right lane to go through, left-turn signal not activated (causes congestion), need longer left turn bay, issues with lane designation & signage, more green time required on Arlington Avenue. Arlington Ave southbound drivers using parking lane as driving lane; install curb similar to Preston Avenue & 14 th Street 7 th Street & Arlington Avenue difficult to turn left 3 rd Street couple intersection required stop or yield signs needed between Preston Avenue & Early Drive D. Parking: Taylor Street congested due to parking near schools. Arlington Avenue congested (especially AM peak hours) near Sparling Crescent & Clark Crescent near the schools. Baldwin Crescent difficult to see northbound drivers from Taylor Street due to parked cars. Students parking on Madden Avenue, & Phillips Crescent. 7 th Street & Arlington Avenue parking obstructs view. Parking too close to alleys specifically on Taylor Street & Cameron Avenue. Parking over crosswalks in school zones. Parking Proposed Changes: Increase enforcement. Remove parking on Taylor Street or no parking during peak times, change drop off zones. School zones move loading zones on to school property. Arlington Avenue - remove parking on east side, school patrol parking. Remove parking around the median islands on Salisbury Drive. E. Maintenance Issues: Tree trimming Baldwin Crescent Snow clearing 7 th Street o Early Drive driving over sidewalk; snow is pushed onto sidewalk forcing pedestrians to walk on the street. o Arlington Avenue between Taylor Street & overpass issue for snow clearing. Salisbury Drive - median islands need to be fixed. Back lanes need paving. F. Other issues: Truck traffic on Preston Avenue U turns in school zones on Taylor Street & Early Drive 3
What We Did Presented by Jay Magus, Engineering Manager Attended to quick fixes moving signage, tree trimming, to pass along to Public Works division. Review includes the previous 2-3 years of information gathered. A list is generated from the Shaping Saskatoon.ca. Two traffic counts were completed at different intersections (AM & PM peak times) northbound turns and rights. Counted the pedestrians at peak times including elderly, children and residents with disabilities. Completed measurement of speed at a specific spots. Information is shared with SGI as to which intersection to focus on. Drive by and confirm what we have heard is out there. Start with engineering guidelines and standards (calculation to work through) whether a stop sign works or not for example. Each recommendation is numbered on the list at each table. Need to focus on the local roads. Collected Data: o Past studies o 30 attendees at initial meeting o 10+ resident responses (phone calls, emails, letters) o Recorded comments from Shaping Saskatoon discussions o 2 Intersection traffic counts o 2 Pedestrian crossing counts o 10 7 day traffic count (24 hour) & Average Speed measurements o Collision history Field Reviews (numerous) Assessed the Issues Generated proposed recommendations What We Propose - Jay Magus Proposed recommendations include: 1 major intersection review 5 traffic calming locations 1 all-way stop 2 stop sign locations 1 pedestrian crosswalk 1 parking removal (clarifying where there is no parking) 4 advanced warning sign locations Back lanes one-way restrictions; 20kph speed signs Traffic Calming Devices Include: 1. Median Island narrows focus of the driver to slow down 2. Curb Extensions visual scope for the driver 4
Justine Nyen Preston Ave Corridor Review - Update Circle Drive to 14 th Street; presented during January meeting review was initiated to understand, examine & address some operational & safety concerns included public open house (March 2011) to collect feedback & determine existing concerns & potential solutions along corridor. Intersections bordering Brevoort Park include: Taylor Street: Issues: delays due to lack of left turn bays & left turn signal phases especially southbound; pedestrian safety & on street parking; conflict between the westbound through movement and the bus stop on the northwest corner of the intersection results in delays Recommendations: geometric improvements (east & westbound- separate lanes for right, left & through movements; southbound- added left turn bay) to improve safety & efficiency by better alignment 7 th Street Concerns: existing 2-way stop results in significant delay for left turning traffic especially during peak hrs; traffic & pedestrian safety issues Recommendation: roundabout to improve intersection safety & overall efficiency of intersection while maintaining all movements traffic signals are also not recommended because of the proximity to 8th Street and potential excessive delays/queuing. full details of review found on website January meeting Brevoort Park residents had mixed comments on roundabout design; other solutions added lanes, right turns only from 7 th Street Main Street & Preston Avenue requested funding for Main Street roundabout 2015 no funding acquired for other locations at this time we welcome comments through neighbourhood reviews because it helps us prioritize major intersection/corridor projects Saskatoon Police Services Presentation Unable to attend and send regrets so concerns will be passed along. How to file a traffic complaint: o Pertinent information is important, such as license plate, time of day and location. o An officer is sent out, the resident responsible to fill out a form. 5
Saskatoon Police Services: 306-975-8300 OR 306-975-8068 to report a traffic complaint or a concern. Small Group Discussions Breakout by physical area to discuss specific proposed recommendations: Facilitators at the tables are there for assistance and will report the vote for support and if anything needs an amendment. Identify the top three recommendations and will be reported out as to what was supported whether general, or if requires many changes (back to drawing board). Questions will occur at the discussion table as well as the floor will be left open for questions. Facilitators will summarize the notes from the table and present, this will ensure we have captured all input. Shirley Matt (City Facilitator) More info needed for Arlington & Taylor Street recommendations Parking restrictions on near Baldwin Crescent let home owner know #7 agree except no chevron signs Concerns #15 back lanes speeding place 20km signage. #9 agree as long as there s marked pedestrian crosswalk #11 visibility issues (10m) at 7 th Street & Arlington Avenue Maintenance of median islands- request to make the island higher for better visibility. Phillips Crescent - students parking in curve; blocking driveway; speeding; disrespecting residents; using walkway to access Taylor Street; crossing at Taylor Street has poor visibility and is unsafe to cross; parking enforcement was called and this has created issues between students & residents; littering. Anjali Singh (City Facilitator) Agreed on the installation of various signage and warnings. #1 Intersection of Arlington & Taylor Street simultaneous left turn arrows on Arlington light for east/west turns onto Taylor Street #4 & #5 good but snow piles will make the road too narrow for Transit #6 Salisbury curb extension; would rather have a four way stop. #7 remove parking near curve #14 & #15 back lanes running parallel; speeding is result of high school students and will ignore signage; close alley access to Taylor Street Extend school zone on Early Drive to other side of curve (include Madden Avenue) Lanre Akindipe (City Facilitator) 7 th Street & Preston Avenue - Not in favour of roundabout (Preston Avenue Corridor Review) 7 th Street & Arlington Avenue Not in favour of 3-way stop; not sure what can be done to improve 6
Salisbury Drive & Early Drive some members not in favour of recommendations; install 4-way stop; tree trimming needed Arlington Avenue & Argyle Avenue back lane shortcutting Snow removal issues Arlington Avenue & 8 th Street left turn arrows Taylor Street & Arlington Avenue should be looked at Safety concern with drop off at St. Matthews School Mariniel Flores (City Facilitator) #1 (Taylor & Arlington) - In favour BUT should be double red for northbound traffic when left turn green arrow is on; left turn arrow should be on to let one or two cars through rather than having a long queue of cars to activate it #3 (Arlington & Early) - In favour BUT should be on north crosswalk instead of south crosswalk & have curb extensions added #6 (Early & Salisbury) needs to be well marked #8 (Salisbury at curve west of Conn Ave) Narrow median islands #14 (back lanes north of Taylor St) speed humps instead Low priority issues - #2, 4, 5 Arlington Ave between Sparling Cres & Clark Cres in front of St. Matthews School parents dropping off students; parking in crosswalks; blocking back lanes; solution install drop-off loop Snow removal Better road paving Large Group Discussion Resident Questions o Poor sidewalk conditions in Brevoort Park. No sidewalks around Salisbury Drive. Sidewalks in new neighbourhoods are in better condition and there aren t even houses yet or people walking. We need to prioritize our infrastructure. o Public Works has a sidewalk repair program and a sidewalk retrofit program. Residents can make requests for specific locations; the area is added to the list and prioritized. o The recommendations for Preston Avenue weren t shown on the list. What is the difference between locations on Preston Avenue and Arlington Avenue? And will the roundabouts go in permanent? o Preston Ave Corridor Review (2011) identified solutions and we don t want to work backwards. The review was presented and meant as an update. Concerns will be brought back. The concerns identified along Arlington Avenue were initiated as part of this review. 7
o Roundabouts on major roadways (ie. Preston Avenue) will go in permanent (ie. concrete). Comments generated through the neighbourhood meetings on our major projects help us prioritize the list. We take back the information, form/prioritize the list of major projects, and it s given to Council to be approved. o 7 th Street & Preston Avenue is high traffic volume. A roundabout will be full and wouldn t provide a break to allow turning from 7 th Street. They (the City) tried installing a roundabout on 8 th Street in the past and it didn t work. Why are you proposing this again? o The conditions at 7 th Street & Preston Avenue are different than a location on 8 th Street. The roundabout would be single lane rather than two lane. The alignment would require drivers to slow down on Preston Avenue. A driver wouldn t be able to drive 50kph through the roundabout. A simulation was done as how it would function and no backlog/queues were noted. Residents need to understand how to use roundabouts. The roundabout will be will designed traffic will need to slow down. o Arlington Avenue Sparling & Clark- in front of St. Matthews school no recommendations were not on the list; traffic and pedestrian safety issues need to be addressed. o This area will be revisited. o Parking on Taylor Street is an issue. Is it in the plans to prevent parking and will this be happening? o Removal of parking on Taylor Street wasn t considered because this would widen the roadway and potentially increase speed. Parking restrictions around back lanes and intersections will be re-visited to improve visibility at intersections are back lanes. The Traffic Bylaw also states that drivers cannot park within 10 meters of the intersection. So perhaps enforcement should be called. o 7 th Street & Arlington Avenue 3-way stop not adequate; there was a 3- way stop here in the past and it didn t work. Pedestrians are in danger and there needs a different solution. The gas station also creates a lineup onto the street. o We will consider other solutions. o Slope of the sidewalks make it difficult with strollers etc. o We are working with Construction & Design to alleviate these issues. 8
o Schools on Taylor Street students parking on Phillips Crescent. Speeding. Using walkway to access Taylor Street. Throwing garbage. Disrespectful to residents. Parking enforcement has been called. Parking too close/in front of resident s driveways. Back lane blocked off from Phillips Crescent & Taylor Avenue. Option of permits is not feasible for people with disabilities. Solution is blocking off residential access on walkway. o City responds to complaints. Parking enforcement will be sent. This area will be re-visited to find other potential solutions. o Arlington & Early Drive - stop sign is ignored. o These issues are typically dealt with through Police Services for enforcement. o Dangerous for pedestrians at Arlington & 8 th Street when drivers are turning left. Brevoort Neighbourhood Traffic Review - Next Steps Jay Magus Each recommendation will be reviewed if no or yes or if details require being worked out as to how the proposed idea will work. Not a done deal Jay offered residents can contact him directly. Report will include implementation plan and budget figure (technical report) and a 2-3 page Council report Reserve a spot for 5 minutes to speak either for or against traffic plan at Council by being placed on the Agenda. Once plan is approved through Council temporary measures are placed and are monitored to make sure it serves its purpose and then will take feedback to place permanent traffic calming. Send an email through ShapeSaskatoon.ca, or email Justine Nyen directly at Justine.nyen@saskatoon.ca. Recommendations will need fine tuning and results to be communicated. This will be open up to end of November beginning of December. Report is presented as long-term and goes through the Transportation Committee Meeting, and if approved, moves to Council for approval. Thank you to City colleagues, Councillors and public for attending. Closing Remarks Residents are encouraged to access the City s new website called Shaping Saskatoon.ca to send in concerns and provide feedback/solutions to traffic issues in your neighbourhood. Deadline for comments is Oct 25/14. 9
Visit the link below to access the information from tonight s meeting: http://shapingsaskatoon.ca/discussions/brevoort-park-neighbourhood-traffic-review List of Representatives Mitch Riabko, Kathy Dahl Great Works Consulting, Facilitators Angela Gardiner City of Saskatoon, Transportation & Utilities, Transportation Director Jay Magus City of Saskatoon,Transportation & Utilities, Engineering Manager Shirley Matt City of Saskatoon, Transportation & Utilities, Traffic Management Supervisor Justine Nyen City of Saskatoon, Transportation & Utilities, Traffic Management Mariniel Flores City of Saskatoon, Transportation & Utilities, Traffic Management Lanre Akindipe City of Saskatoon, Transportation & Utilities, Infrastructure Engineer Goran Lazic City of Saskatoon, Transportation & Utilities, Traffic Operations Engineer Larry Parnell City of Saskatoon, Transportation & Utilities, Traffic Signals Technologist Anjali Singh City of Saskatoon, Transportation & Utilities, Traffic Operations Technologist FayLynn Reed City of Saskatoon, Transportation & Utilities, Directors Assistant Mark Emmons City of Saskatoon, Planning & Development, Planner Neighbourhood Planning Konrad Andre City of Saskatoon Planning & Development, Senior Planner 10