Report to: Development Services Committee                            Report Date: October 16, 2007

 

 

SUBJECT:                          2006 Traffic Calming Project – Resident Survey Results and Next Steps

PREPARED BY:               Domenic Smarrelli, Supervisor Traffic Operations, Ext 4055

                                            Sabbir Saiyed, Manager, Transportation, Ext. 8120

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “2006 Traffic Calming Project – Resident Survey Results and Next Steps”, dated October 16, 2007, be received;

 

And that staff be authorized to proceed with the Traffic Calming Design and Tendering, as outlined in this report, where residents have demonstrated support for traffic calming measures on Royal Orchard Boulevard, Village Parkway and Carlton Road (between Warden Avenue and Kennedy Road);

 

And that staff pursue, with the Town’s Traffic Safety Committee and local Councillor, the options as identified in this report to address speeding issues on Proctor Avenue, Village Gate Drive and Lockridge Avenue;

 

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

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

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

 

PURPOSE:

This report updates the Development Services Committee regarding the 2006 Traffic Calming Projects involving Royal Orchard Boulevard, Proctor Avenue, Village Gate, Lockridge Avenue, Village Parkway and Carlton Road, between Warden Avenue and Kennedy Road.

 

BACKGROUND:

 

May 15, 2006 – General Committee Project Commencement

On May 15, 2006, the Engineering Department reported to the Town’s Development Services 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, the following six streets were identified for consideration of physical traffic calming measures:

 

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

 

June 2006 - Preliminary Resident Survey

Prior to undertaking a comprehensive traffic calming study on all of the six streets, as listed above, a preliminary resident survey was conducted to gauge resident interest in proceeding with this proposal. The preliminary resident 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.

 

April 2007 – Public Consultation

Following the preliminary survey, the Engineering Department proceeded to retain a

consultant to pursue the traffic calming on all six streets. The study included public

consultation and detailed traffic calming designs.

 

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, 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.

 

June 19, 2007 Development Services Committee Update

On June 19, 2007, the Engineering Department reported to the Development Services Committee on the 2006 Traffic Calming Projects.  The report discussed the results of the public consultation results which highlighted mixed resident opinion about the proposal for traffic calming measures on the six streets.

 

The report also discussed next steps where the Engineering Department would proceed with a formal resident survey to finalize the position of the community regarding proceeding with traffic calming measures on each of the six streets.

 

 

DISCUSSION:

 

June 2007 – Resident Survey Results

In order to confirm the level of support for traffic calming measures for each of the six streets, the Engineering Department conducted a second resident survey.

 

Survey notices were mailed out to the residents fronting the project streets on June 20, 2007 and the survey was closed on July 6, 2007. For those residents who were unable to attend the public meeting held on April 4, 2007 to review the proposal, traffic calming information packages were circulated to the Civic Centre, Unionville Library and Thornhill Library for public viewing.

 

 

The survey has a minimum “support” criteria in order for streets to proceed to the next steps, which include traffic calming design and construction (see Attachment ‘A’ for the results). The criteria are as follows:

 

  • 30% - Minimum Resident Response Rate
  • 60% - Minimum resident Support Rate (of the 30% min. Response Rate)

 

This criteria has been applied in previous years and is considered reasonable.

 

Traffic Calming - Next Steps

Given the characteristics of the roadway network and community history on Village Parkway, Carlton Road and Village Gate, the survey results were further analysed to identify the level of support on sections of the project street. The analysis indicated that there is sufficient support for traffic calming on the entire length of Village Parkway and Carlton Road. As for Village Gate Drive, both sections of this street revealed that the residents are not in support of traffic calming measures.

 

Given the survey results, as per Attachment ‘A’, each of the six streets have been categorized into two work activities as noted below:

 

Streets recommended to proceed with detailed Design and Construction

  • Royal Orchard Boulevard, in its entirety
  • Village Parkway, in its entirety
  • Carlton Road, between Warden Avenue and Kennedy Road

 

Streets recommended to be reviewed further with the Traffic Safety Committee and local Councillor are:

  • Proctor Avenue
  • Village Gate Drive
  • Lockridge Avenue

 

It is recognized that Proctor Avenue has received strong support for traffic calming, but the response rate is below the minimum support criteria. It is therefore recommended to consider the following options for the streets that didn’t receive support for traffic calming:

  • Resurvey the streets not in support of traffic calming
  • Include these streets in Top 25 streets list for enhanced police enforcement
  • Review 30% minimum response rate

 

For streets proceeding with traffic calming measures, the design will be undertaken over the winter period and will include tendering and reporting back to Council early next year for bid approval. It is expected that construction will commence in Spring 2008.

 

As for streets being reviewed by the Traffic Safety Committee and local Councillor, further discussion will take place to identify the best course of action with recommendations to be submitted to Development Services Committee.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

No financial commitments at this time.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Not applicable

 

 

 

 

 

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 – Resident Survey Results

Attachment B – Location Map

Attachment C – Location Map