Transportation Committee

 

 

 

 

 

TO:

Mayor and Members of Council

 

 

 

 

FROM:

Alan Brown, Director of Engineering

 

 

 

 

PREPARED BY:

Domenic Smarrelli, Traffic Operations Supervisor

 

 

 

 

DATE OF MEETING:

2004-Jun-21

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT:

South Thornhill Community Vehicular Infiltration

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the staff report entitled “South Thornhill Community Vehicular Infiltration, dated June 21, 2004 be received;

 

THAT a working group consisting of staff from the Town of Markham, the Region of York, the City of Toronto, the City of Vaughan and YRTP be formed to undertake a comprehensive traffic data collection study, document travel patterns, review operations on arterial roads and intersections and recommend measures to address the vehicular infiltration issues in the South Thornhill area.

 

PURPOSE:

To discuss the traffic infiltration concerns within the south area of the Thornhill Community and establish a working group to review operational improvements at intersections and measures to address infiltration issues.

 

 

BACKGROUND:

South Thornhill Community

The South Thornhill Community is a mature urbanized area built in the 1960’s and is bounded by the following major collector and arterial roads:

 

 

 

Street Name

 

 

Boundary Location

John Street

North Boundary

Steeles Avenue

South Boundary

Bayview Avenue

East Boundary

Yonge Street

West Boundary

 

The Steeles Avenue and Yonge Street area is a key development and transportation corridor. Consequently, the area experiences very high vehicular volumes on arterial roads and vehicular infiltration through the community.

 

Long Standing Resident Concerns

Town records indicate that the South Thornhill Community has had long standing traffic operational concerns in their community. In response, Town staff have previously conducted studies and looked for solutions to address the residents concerns.

 

In the early 1980’s, traffic operational solutions for the vehicular infiltration in the Thornhill Community consisted of various vehicular restrictions and stop controls.  However, the vehicular restrictions implemented were quickly removed due to inconveniences caused to the local residents.

 

A task force was formed in the early 1990’s and was assisted by a consultant to review the traffic operations, specifically infiltration, in the Thornhill Community. The task force proposed a traffic management plan, however the local residents suggested a “do-nothing” scenario was the best option available.

 

Several other proposals to mitigate the vehicular infiltration were provided by both residents and the Town through-out the mid to late 1990’s, however all proposals were found impractical by both parties.  Recently, residents have requested the Engineering Department to re-investigate the vehicular infiltration in their community as a result of ongoing concerns.

 

DISCUSSION:

Traffic Studies and Results

The Engineering Department reviewed the request to investigate the vehicular infiltration in the South Thornhill Community and performed several studies to quantity the problem and identify potential solutions.

 

License Plate Traces

Multiple license plate traces were conducted on strategically selected streets to sample the level of vehicular infiltration through the community. The studies were performed on different dates during the peak and off-peak hours of the day. The study results revealed a high level of traffic infiltration through the community (refer to attachment #1). This information concurs with all previous results conducted by both Town staff and consultants.

 

Review of Surrounding Intersections and Arterial Roads

In addition to the multiple license plate traces conducted, a review of the various surrounding intersections was undertaken by the Engineering Department, specifically the traffic control signalized intersections of Bayview Avenue at Steeles Avenue and Yonge Street at Steeles Avenue.

 

The review concluded that the intersections are running over-capacity during peak periods and causing significant vehicular queues and time delay on the arterial roads. Consequently, motorists are avoiding the congestion at the various regional and Toronto intersections and infiltrating through the Thornhill community as an alternative route.

 

The poor traffic operations on the arterial roads and intersections is one of the contributing factors for the vehicular infiltration through the Thornhill Community. Improving operations on these roads will encourage motorists to stay on the boundary roads. Therefore, the Region and the City of Toronto should be requested to undertake a detailed review of all available opportunities to improve traffic flow on the arterial roads and intersections, including but not limited to:

 

·        Improved traffic signal progression coordinated with the City of Toronto systems on Steeles Avenue

·        Optimized signal times at intersections

·        Intersection improvements such as double left turn lanes, right turn lanes and     expansion of existing turn lanes.

·         Bus stop and bus bay relocations

·         Application of state of the art technology using video and sensors to fine tune signal timings and provide real time traffic responsiveness

 

As part of the ultimate rapid transit configuration, YRTP has proposed a centre median on Yonge Street.  This will change traffic patterns in the area.  YRTP has been requested to review these impacts once the centre busway is constructed and consider modifications on local roads if studies show an impact.

 

Working Group

In addition to the traffic operational review, it is also recommended that a working group be formed to undertake a comprehensive data collection study in collaboration with the Region of York, the City of Toronto, the City of Vaughan and YRTP. This comprehensive data collection effort is needed to fully understand existing travel patterns and infiltration routes. Based on this data, potential solutions can be identified. Key tasks for the Working Group will include volume counts, origin-destination studies, intersection signal timing review and other traffic operational studies.  Preliminary discussions at a staff level indicate that other municipalities share the same concerns.  Regional staff concur that coordinated further discussions are required to identify resources and commitment.

 

Local Solutions

Residents in the South Thornhill Community have requested some turn and through traffic prohibitions on local roads. Given the lack of community support in the past, staff have advised residents to first determine if there is a consensus in the community for these type of solutions. If there is a consensus, these solutions will be considered by staff as input to the Work Group and the Markham Traffic Safety Committee

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSION:

Due to the multi-jurisdictional issues and complexity of the vehicular infiltration problem, it is recommended that Town staff, in cooperation with the Region of York, the City of Toronto, the City of Vaughan, and YRTP undertake the traffic study and develop appropriate solutions.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Any costs to the Town of Markham to conduct the recommended traffic study and mitigation measures will be covered in the 2004 Operating Budget.

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment #1 – Results of Infiltration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alan Brown, C.E.T.

Director of Engineering

 

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Commissioner of Development Services

 

 

Q:\Development\Engineering\REPORTS\2004\June\Thornhill Infiltration Study\Thornhill Infiltration Study Report.doc