THE
REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK
Transportation and Works Committee
Report of the
Commissioner of Transportation and
Works
1. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that:
1.
The existing locations that have pedestrian countdown
signals (PCS) be retained.
2.
PCS be considered at intersections characterized with
wide intersection pedestrian crossings distances, proximity to schools or
senior centres and with a high percentage of pedestrian usage.
3.
A copy of this report be forwarded by the Regional
Clerk to the Clerks of each of the local municipalities.
2. PURPOSE
This report summarizes the one-year trial
evaluation of the pedestrian countdown signals (PCS) used at three signalized
intersections within The Regional Municipality of York.
3. BACKGROUND
At
the Regional Council meeting of November 8, 2001, a recommendation was adopted
directing staff to conduct a one-year implementation and evaluation of the PCS
at three intersections.
The
three intersections selected for the trial period were:
1.
Davis
Drive at The Tannery entrance, Town of Newmarket
2.
Main
Street and Water Street, Town of Newmarket
3.
Yonge
Street and Wellington Street, Town of Aurora
In
addition to staff’s evaluation through field observations and research of other
jurisdictions with similar studies, comments were received from the staff of
the Town of Aurora and York Regional Police.
4. ANALYSIS AND OPTIONS
Currently,
the Region uses standard pedestrian crosswalk displays at signalized
intersections. The standard pedestrian signal indications provide a symbolic
display. The display consists of a
walking man silhouette, a flashing hand and a solid hand indication. These displays convey to the pedestrian of
when to walk (walking man), when not to start walking (flashing hand) and when
not to walk (solid hand) across the road.
The PCS operate using standard signal indications with an additional
indication showing a descending numerical countdown of the duration of time for
each phase in seconds.
4.1 PCS Trial Evaluation
An
evaluation of the PCS was conducted during the month of June 2002. This evaluation used a “treatment” and
“control” study design. Each of the
three PCS locations was compared to other similar pedestrian activity
intersections, which do not use the PCS.
Table 1 summarizes the study intersections.
Table 1
Study
Intersections
|
PCS |
Traditional
Display |
|
Davis Drive at The Tannery |
Davis Drive at Main Street Davis Drive at Prospect Street |
|
Main Street at Water Street |
Yonge Street at Elgin Mills Road Yonge Street at Major Mackenzie Drive |
|
Yonge Street at Wellington Street |
Yonge Street at Carrville Road |
Studies throughout North America use a
standard set of definitions for pedestrian crossing behaviours. These
definitions were used for the study. The
PCS were evaluated in comparison to traditional pedestrian display locations
according to the following four measures of effectiveness:
1.
Pedestrian compliance with the
“Walk” signal.
2.
Pedestrians who ran out of time
when crossing.
3.
Pedestrians who started running
when the “Don’t Walk” appeared.
4.
Pedestrian related collisions.
Table 2 summarizes the results of the
evaluation based upon 830 pedestrian observations. A minimum of 100 pedestrians were observed at
each intersection.
Table 2
Evaluation
Criteria Comparison (%)
|
Pedestrian
Signal Display |
Compliance
with the "Walk" Signal |
Ran
Out of Time |
Started
Running When the "Don't Walk" Appeared |
Pedestrian
Related Collisions |
|
Traditional |
92 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|
PCS |
97 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Difference |
5 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
The study results indicate an improvement
in three of the four measured areas when using PCS.
Generally, the PCS are well received by
pedestrians. The PCS provide pedestrians
with a sense of time remaining to cross the roadway safely. However, comments received from the staff of
the Town of Aurora and York Regional Police indicate that while they provide a
benefit to pedestrians, there is a tendency for motorists to use the countdown
display to determine when the signal is turning red. The motorist may then increase their rate of
speed to get through the intersection before the signal changes. This concern over the increase in speed
affects the overall safety of the intersection.
Therefore, it is recommended that the
existing locations that have PCS be retained.
Future PCS should be considered at intersections characterised with wide
intersection pedestrian crossings distances, proximity to schools or senior
centres having a high percentage of pedestrian usage.
5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There are no financial implications
associated with this report. The cost(s) estimated at $1,000 per crossing is
funded through the Business Plan and Budget process in the Region’s Capital
Signal Improvement Program.
6. LOCAL MUNICIPAL IMPACT
There are no local municipal implications
associated with this report.
7. CONCLUSION
Based upon staff 's study results, comments
received, other jurisdictional studies and in the spirit of the Ontario
Disabilities Act, it is recommended that the existing locations that have PCS
be retained. PCS be considered at
intersections characterized with wide intersection pedestrian crossings
distances, proximity to schools or senior centres having a high percentage of
pedestrian usage.
The Senior Management Group has reviewed this
report.
|
Prepared by: |
Reviewed by: |
|
Recommended by: |
Approved for Submission: Michael R. Garrett Chief Administrative Officer |
November 20, 2002
|
BH/LS TW_Operations\P06\2002-4\Dec 4\Pedestrian Countdown
Signals.doc Version
3-2002-9-26 |