Weston Downs Traffic Study City of Vaughan Appendix B Public Consultation Materials Page 1
Weston Downs Traffic Study City of Vaughan Community Action Committee Meeting 1 May 05, 2016 Page 30
Weston Downs Traffic Study Community Advisory Committee #1 May 5, 2016
AGENDA Opening Remarks Glossary of Terms Summary of Field Studies Problem Identification Possible Solutions Next Steps Closing Remarks
Welcome! Goals for CAC Workshop Review findings of traffic studies Identify problem statement Discuss possible solutions Group Assessment of solutions
Getting and Giving the Most It s OUR meeting participate enthusiastically Focus on the future Terminology expertise is secondary There is no such a thing as a bad idea! Build, don t duplicate Respect (for each other and the process) Voices without titles Consensus on no consensus Informal style, structured approach No dissertations (rather, rap and roll )
The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Role and purpose: Dialogue and multi-perspective information exchange Input on and joint exploration of key issues, challenges, opportunities, ideas and best practices A sounding board: review and comment on project approaches and alternatives/options Liaison a conduit to/from the community Facilitate a high quality outcome The Study Team commitment: Listen to, seriously consider, be respectful of participants views, perspectives, opinions Varying roles: observe, inform, clarify Ex officio status Proven value
CAC Members Reflective of: The study area Diverse interests/sectors Diverse expertise/knowledge Selection: purposeful and random (with consideration to representativeness and manageable size) Members names will be made public Members must declare any conflicts of interest
Glossary of Terms Internal: Community Trips: Internally based trips (Internal to external, external to internal, internal to internal) Speeding: Excessive speeds through community Safety: Unsafe conditions (high volume/speed of travel) and noncompliance with regulations External: Cut-Through / Infiltration: Non community based trips (external to external) Capacity: Ability of Regional Roads and Provincial Highways to accommodate traffic demand
Summary of Field Studies Volume Congestion is evident on the surrounding Regional Roads, especially during the afternoon hours High volumes recorded on Santa Barbara Place during peak hours Travel Time Savings of 1 2 minutes recorded by travelling through the WD community Cut-Through and Community Trips During peak hours, cut-through identified between 23% 36% (120 to 330 vehicles per hour) Community trips make up the balance Speeds Average speeds are within posted speed of 40 km/h 85% of the time, speeds are 47 km/h or less
Summary of Issues Volumes on Velmar, Santa Barbara and Valeria are in the range of 5,000 6,000 vehicles a day, representative of Collector Roads Volumes on Babak, Orr, Village Green, Greenpark are in the 2,500 3,000 vehicles a day Regional road network is incomplete, with limited north-south capacity and congestion present at key intersections Cut-through traffic during peak hours in the range of 23% - 36% Traffic from within Weston Downs is in the range of 64% - 77% Results in Santa Barbara functioning as a Collector Road
Problem Statement High volumes on Velmar, Santa Barbara and Valeria as a result of an incomplete network and congestion on the boundary roads Additional traffic during periods with incidents on Regional Roads With numerous fronting driveways, difficulty in accessing property safely Non-compliance of traffic control devices Speeding
Issues Identified during Public Information Session #1
Solutions Identified during Public Information Session #1
Possible Solutions: Long Term Regional Initiatives Region to pursue opportunities to increase capacity, such as: Extend Pine Valley Widen Regional Roads Provincial Initiatives GTA West Highway Highway 400
Road Classifications: City of Vaughan Street Network (2031) Transportation Master Plan - A New Path. City of Vaughan. November 2012.
Possible Solutions: Short Term Suggested by Residents Localized Turning Restrictions One-Way Streets Road Closure Gated Community Changes to School Transportation Increased Enforcement Signalized intersection at Valeria & Weston Traffic Signal Improvements Signals Coordination Currently implemented Engineering Solutions Road Narrowing Chicanes Speed Humps Speed Cushions Directional Closure Diverter Raised Median through Intersection Full Closure Traffic Circle No Through Traffic Signage Stop Signs
Assessment of Solutions Solutions Advantages Disadvantages Carry Forward Road Narrowing Slowing of traffic Potential to reduce cut-through traffic Does not impact emergency services Chicanes Slowing of traffic Potential to reduce cut-through traffic Localized Turn Restrictions For example, at Santa Barbara One-Way Street For example, one-way along Santa Barbara Potential impacts to adjacent residential roadways Potential increase in collisions May impact cycling routes (provision for cycling access through chicane) Impacts emergency response times Reduces cut-through traffic Forces local residents to take alternate routes Push problems to other roads Requires enforcement Reduces cut-through traffic Forces local residents to take alternate routes Push problems to other roads Speed Cushions Slowing of traffic Increased noise to residents Reduced quality of life Affects City services (snow removal) Already 20 speed humps installed
Assessment of Solutions Solutions Advantages Disadvantages Carry Forward Directional Closure/One Way For example, One-way southbound on Santa Barbara Diverter For example, at Santa Barbara, at Columbus Raised Median Through Intersection For example, on Valeria, at Santa Barbara Full Closure For example, on Santa Barbara, at Columbus Reduces cut-through in PM Eliminates all traffic in one direction Improves property access Reduces cut-through Discourages community trips through the area Reduces cut-through forces northbound vehicles to chose Regional Roads Discourages community trips through the area Eliminates cut-through traffic Reduces community trips through the area May divert traffic to other streets Affects school bus route and travel time Impacts emergency response times Requires enforcement Reduces accessibility of local residents Diverts traffic to other streets Affects school bus route and travel time Impacts City services (waste management pick-up routes and snow removal) Impacts emergency response times Diverts traffic to other streets Affects school bus route and travel time Affects waste management pick-up route Impacts emergency response times May require turning restrictions Diverts traffic to other streets Reduces accessibility of local residents Affects school bus route and travel time Affects waste management pick-up route Obstructs emergency service access Cul-de-sac may result in land acquisition, requires accommodation of snow removal
Assessment of Solutions Solutions Advantages Disadvantages Carry Forward Traffic Circle Potential slowing of traffic Reduces number of severe collisions Property requirement/land acquisition - costly Gated Community Reduces cut-through Affects school bus route and travel time Affects City services (snow removal/waste management) Impacts emergency response times Costly implementation and maintenance Does not reduce community trips Affects access to public properties (schools, sport fields, etc.) Provision of Signalized Intersection at Valeria & Weston Traffic signals coordination along Regional Roads Changes to signal cycle time (Reduce green time available for turns) Improves safety of turning movements Improves network connectivity on Regional Roads May reduce cut-through Potential to reduce cut-through traffic Flexible and adjustable Easy to implement May increase cut-through No impact on community trips Intersections already at or near capacity, limited opportunity for improvements Affects neighbourhood traffic and cutthrough traffic
Evaluation Criteria Effectiveness in reducing volumes Potential to cause recirculation of traffic Effect on emergency response and other services Active or Passive Enforcement Noise Cost
Next Steps Finalize presentation / workshop for Public Information Session #2 (May 17 th, 2016) CAC #2 early-june??? Public Information Session #3 Scheduled for June 28 th, 2016 Final Report September 2016
Thank You for Attending Visit: www.vaughan.ca/westondownstraffic for study updates and session information
Weston Downs Traffic Study Illustration of Possible Solutions Community Advisory Committee #1 May 5, 2016
Possible Solutions: Road Narrowing
Possible Solutions: Road Narrowing Images from Google Earth.
Possible Solutions: Road Narrowing Rendering from http://www.sfbetterstreets.org
Possible Solutions: Specified Time Turn Restrictions
Possible Solutions: One-Way on Santa Barbara
Possible Solutions: Directional Closure
Possible Solutions: Diverter on Santa Barbara, at Columbus
Possible Solutions: Diverters Image from Aaron Kuehn on ciclavia.wordpress.com.
Possible Solutions: Raised Median at Santa Barbara and Valeria
Possible Solutions: Raised Median Image from the City of Brampton. Image from Matthew Cole on Twin City Sidewalks.
Possible Solutions: Full Closure on Santa Barbara
Possible Solutions: Traffic Circle
Weston Downs Traffic Study Supporting Analysis for Community Advisory Committee #1 May 5, 2016
Glossary of Terms Internal: Community Trips: Internally based trips (Internal to external, external to internal, internal to internal) Speeding: Excessive speeds through community Safety: Unsafe conditions (high volume/speed of travel) and non-compliance with regulations External: Cut-Through / Infiltration: Non community based trips (external to external) Capacity: Ability of Regional Roads to accommodate traffic demand
Findings: Traffic Volumes Traffic Volumes: Expected versus Observed AM Peak Hour Expected: 1,875 Trips (1406 Out, 469 In) Observed: 2,243 Trips (1,389 Out, 854 In) Difference: 20% higher than expected PM Peak Hour Expected: 1,875 Trips (1181 In, 694 Out) Observed: 2,288 Trips (1,308 In, 980 Out) Difference: 22% higher than expected Estimated Daily Traffic Volumes Residential Dwelling Daily Trip Rate Estimated Daily Trips (A) 24-Hour Traffic Based on TMC* (B) Difference (B-A)/A 1856 Units 10 Trips 18,560 Trips 22,880 Trips 23% * PM Peak is approximately 10% of Average Daily Traffic
Findings: Peak Hour Traffic Volumes 2500 2000 1500 1000 Cut- Through Traffic Cut- 2243 2288 Through Traffic 1875 1875 Expected Observed 500 0 AM Peak PM Peak
Findings: Daily Traffic Volumes 25000 20000 15000 10000 Cut-Through Traffic 18560 22880 Expected Observed 5000 0 Daily Volumes
Number of Vehicles Number of Vehicles Findings: Hourly Traffic Volume Trends 500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Santa Barbara Southbound: 30m South of Blackburn October 16, 2012 October 17, 2012 October 18, 2012 800 700 Time Period Santa Barbara Northbound: 30m South of Blackburn 600 500 400 300 200 100 October 16, 2012 October 17, 2012 October 18, 2012 0 Time Period
Findings: Average Daily Traffic Volumes 37,600 veh/d 2,150 veh/d 6,100 veh/d 3,000 veh/d 4,900 veh/d 5,670 veh/d 1,830 veh/d 28,000 veh/d 4,400 veh/d 2,350 veh/d 20,500 veh/d - Assumed that the AM and PM peak hours = 20% of AADT
Findings: Speed Speed 60 50 40 30 Speed studies conducted in 2012, along Santa Barbara, identified the following: Posted speed of 40 km/h the average speed range from 39 km/h to 44 km/h the 85 th percentile speed from 47 km/h to 52 km/h. 44 km/h 39 km/h 52 km/h 47 km/h Posted Speed 40 km/h 20 10 0 Average 85th % High Low
Findings: Operations & Capacity v/c Ratio > 1.0 0.85 1.0 AM Peak Hour < 0.85
Findings: Operations & Capacity v/c Ratio > 1.0 0.85 1.0 PM Peak Hour < 0.85
Findings: Operations & Capacity Northbound vehicles approaching Santa Barbara & Velmar during the afternoon hours Northbound queuing at Velmar & Rutherford during the afternoon hours
Findings: Travel Time 540 480 8m 10s 7m 40s 420 360 300 240 6m 13s 5m 50s 6m 20s 5m 22s 6m 40s 5m 18s WD Roads Regional Roads 180 120 60 0 AM_NB AM_SB PM _NB PM _SB
Findings: Cut-Through (External) Traffic License Plate Survey During Peak Hour Morning (8-9am): 23% cut-through traffic identified Afternoon (4:30-5:30pm): 36% cut-through traffic identified During Several Hours Morning (7 10am): 20% cut-through traffic identified Afternoon (3 6pm): 29% cut-through traffic identified
Findings: Cut-Through Traffic Rutherford Rd 22 73 4 4 382 116 3 15 3 18 Highway 400 Langstaff Rd 98 Morning Peak Hour Cut-Through Traffic Inbound = 520 Cut-Through = 120
Findings: Cut-Through Traffic Rutherford Rd 43 263 89 10 605 306 45 6 7 40 Highway 400 Langstaff Rd 155 Afternoon Peak Hour Cut-Through Traffic Inbound = 919 Cut-Through = 329
Summary of Field Studies Volume Congestion is evident on the surrounding Regional Roads, especially during the afternoon hours High volumes recorded on Santa Barbara Place during peak hours Travel Time Savings of 1 2 minutes recorded by travelling through the WD community Cut-Through and Infiltration During peak hours, cut-through identified between 23% 36% (120 to 330 vehicles per hour) Community trips makes up the balance Speeds Average speeds are within posted speed of 40 km/h 85% of the time, speeds are 47 km/h or less
Road Classifications Service Function Figure 1.3.3.1 Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads, Transportation Association of Canada (TAC); 1999.
Road Classifications Characteristics of Urban Roads Locals Collectors Residential Ind / Comm Residential Ind / Comm Traffic Service Function Traffic movement secondary Traffic movement and land access consideration of equal importance Land Service/ Access Land access primary function Traffic movement and land access of equal importance Typical Traffic Volume (veh/day) <1000 <3000 <8000 1,000-12,000 Design Speed (km/h) 30-50 50-80 Avg Running Speeds (km/h) (off-peak) 20-40 30-70 Transit Service Generally avoided Permitted Parking No restrictions or restrictions one side Few restrictions other than peak only hour [Table 1.3.4.2] Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads, Transportation Association of Canada (TAC); 1999.
Road Classifications: City of Vaughan Street Network Transportation Master Plan - A New Path. City of Vaughan. November 2012.
Road Classifications: City of Vaughan Street Network (2031) Transportation Master Plan - A New Path. City of Vaughan. November 2012.
Road Classifications: Local Road Typical Cross Section for Local Road Local Roads shall have a minimum ROW width of 17.5m; Parking will be accommodated on at least one side of the road; Boulevards with sidewalks shall be minimum 5.5m; and Boulevards without sidewalks shall be minimum 4.0m. Transportation Master Plan - A New Path. City of Vaughan. November 2012.
Road Classifications: Local Road Typical Cross Section for Santa Barbara Place ROW width of approximately 18.0m; Parking permitted on both sides of the road; and Boulevards, with sidewalks, ranging from 4.5m to 5.5m. Transportation Master Plan - A New Path. City of Vaughan. November 2012.
Road Classifications: Minor Collector Typical Cross Section for Minor Collector Minor Collector Roads shall have a minimum ROW width of 24.0m; Parking will be provided on at least one side of the road; Road surface is 10.5m including a 1.5m bike lane on each side, and a 2.5m layby parking; and Boulevards on both sides shall be minimum 5.5m. Transportation Master Plan - A New Path. City of Vaughan. November 2012.
Road Classifications: Minor Collector Typical Cross Section for Velmar Drive ROW width of approximately 22.0m; Parking permitted on both sides of the road; and Boulevards with sidewalks approximately 5.0m. Transportation Master Plan - A New Path. City of Vaughan. November 2012.