Report to: Development Services Committee                                  Report Date: June 19, 2007

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Traffic Calming Project Update

PREPARED BY:               Parveen Kalia, Engineering Technician, Trans. Ext. 6200

                                            Sabbir Saiyed, Manager, Transportation, Ext. 8120

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Traffic Calming Project Update”, dated June 19, 2007, be received;

 

And that Staff report back as to the telephone survey of the six traffic calming streets and next steps;

 

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

1. Purpose                     2. Background                      3. Discussion                        4. Financial        

 

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units)             6. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

This report updates the Development Services Committee regarding the Traffic Calming 2006 projects.

 

BACKGROUND:

On May 15, 2006, the Engineering Department reported to the Town’s General

Committee regarding the 2005 Safe Streets Top 25 Enhanced Police Enforcement List.

Based on speed compliance effectiveness studies and the Traffic Safety Committee’s

recommendation, six streets were identified for physical traffic calming measures.

 

The following is a list of the six streets proposed for traffic calming measures as presented in Attachments ‘A’ and ‘B’:

  • Proctor Avenue (in its entirety)
  • Royal Orchard Boulevard (in its entirety)
  • Lockridge Avenue (in its entirety)
  • Village Gate Drive (in its entirety)
  • Carlton Road (between Warden Avenue and Kennedy Road)
  • Village Parkway (in its entirety)

 

DISCUSSION:

 

June 2006 - Preliminary Survey

Prior to undertaking a comprehensive traffic calming study, a preliminary telephone survey was conducted to gauge resident interest in proceeding with this project. The preliminary survey was conducted between June 27, 2006 and July 14, 2006. Of the 46% average response rate from all streets, 78% of the residents were in support of the Town proceeding with a traffic calming study.

 

February 2007 – Consultant Selection

In response to resident support to consider traffic calming studies on all six streets, the Engineering Department issued a request for proposal to engineering consultants to undertake the traffic calming engineering design and project management.

 

In February 2007, the Town awarded the traffic calming engineering services to Lea Consulting Ltd. The scope of work included developing preliminary and detailed drawings, public consultation, and administering construction activities.

 

April 2007 - Public Consultation

Following the completion of the preliminary traffic calming designs, a public meeting for all six streets was held on April 4, 2007 in the Council Chambers.

 

Public meeting notices were mailed to the residents on all six streets, including households within 125 metres of the project street. Public meeting notices were also published in both The Markham Economist & Sun and The Liberal on March 22, 2007 and March 29, 2007. Of approximately 2000 meeting notices issued, only 80 residents attended the April 4 meeting. This translates to approximately a 4% attendance rate. The resident’s response received at the public meeting showed mixed support for traffic calming on all streets.

 

Additional Public Consultation and Telephone Vote Survey

Staff met with the three local Councillors to discuss the public meeting results and next steps. It was agreed by the local Councillors and staff that before embarking on a $600,000 construction expense, staff needs to clarify resident support. A telephone vote survey will therefore be conducted for all six streets. The telephone vote survey will clarify the resident’s support to either proceed or not proceed with traffic calming construction on the specific street. The vote survey will only be administered to the residents residing on the project street.

 

Additional public input maybe required for some of the six streets where significant preliminary drawing revisions are required.

 

Following the telephone vote survey which will be conducted in June and July of this year, the Engineering Department will report to the local Councillors and then back to the Transportation Committee on the survey results of each of the six streets. Depending on the resident’s response through voting, a combination of the following recommendations will be provided:

  • Proceed with traffic calming on the entire street
  • Proceed with traffic calming on partial lengths of the street
  • Do not proceed with traffic calming and refer the street to the Traffic Safety Committee for enhanced police enforcement

 

Project Schedule

Based on public input, the Engineering Department will direct Lea Consulting to undertake a traffic calming construction bidding process for the selected streets and report back with the bid results. Given this process, it is expected that the Engineering Department will commence traffic calming construction in late 2007 or Spring 2008.

 

Need For Police Enforcement

During the public consultation process, it was noted that many residents preferred enhanced police enforcement over traffic calming measures. This will be referred to the Traffic Safety Committee for their consideration and recommendations to Transportation Committee on future course of action.

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE:

Traffic calming engineering services was awarded to Lea Consulting Ltd at a total cost of approximately $115,000. The anticipated traffic calming construction cost is approximately $100,000 per street depending on the length of the street to be traffic calmed with a total cost of $600,000 for six project streets. The total budget of $120,000 for engineering services is available in account # 83-5350-6143-005 and $600,000 is budgeted for traffic calming construction in account # 83-5350-7660-005. 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Contact Centre will be administering the telephone vote survey.

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDED BY:

 

 

______________________                             ________________________

Alan Brown, C.E.T.                                           Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Director of Engineering                                     Commissioner, Development Services

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment A – Traffic Calming 2006 Update Location Map

Attachment B – Traffic Calming 2006 Update Location Map

 

 

 

Q:\Development\Engineering\REPORTS\2007\June\Traffic Calming Update Report\Traffic Calming Update 2006 Update Draft 8.doc