Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date: May 20, 2008
SUBJECT: Pedestrian Countdown Signal Update
PREPARED BY: Domenic Smarrelli, Traffic Operations Supervisor, ext. 4055
David Porretta,
RECOMMENDATION:
That the report entitled “Pedestrian
Countdown Signal Update,” be received;
And that the recommended criteria
for the installation of Pedestrian Countdown Signals in
And that Staff be authorized to retain a qualified contractor for installation of the Pedestrian Countdown Signals at the five intersections listed in this report in accordance to the Town’s purchasing by-law;
And that the Pedestrian Countdown Signals be funded through the 2008 Engineering Capital Budget for “Intersection Improvements” (account # 083-5350-8175-005);
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 is responding to Council’s request with respect to the feasibility of implementing Pedestrian Countdown Signals at seven locations in the Town. This report also recommends criteria for the installation of Pedestrian Countdown Signals and a comprehensive list of signalized intersections in the Town where Pedestrian Countdown Signals are warranted.
BACKGROUND:
Engineering staff were requested by Council to identify the feasibility of implementing Pedestrian Countdown Signals at signalized intersections within the Town. More specifically, Council has requested the feasibility of providing Pedestrian Countdown Signals at the following locations:
1) Main Street Markham & Bur Oak Avenue
2) Main Street Markham & Ramona Boulevard / GO Station
3) Main Street Markham & Bullock Drive / Parkway Avenue
4) Main Street Markham & Robinson Street
5) Main Street Markham & Centre Street
6) Main Street Markham & Princess Street / James Scott Road
7) Yonge Street & Thornhill Summit Drive
The intersection of Yonge Street and Thornhill Summit Drive is under the jurisdiction of the Region. Evaluation conducted by the Region has identified this intersection as meeting the requirements of Pedestrian Countdown Signals and therefore, is scheduled to be installed this summer.
Conventional
Pedestrian Signal Displays vs. Pedestrian Countdown Signals
The Town of
DISCUSSION:
York Region’s
Experience with Pedestrian Countdown Signals
On
The Pedestrian Countdown Signals are positively received by pedestrians, as they provide pedestrians with a sense of time remaining to cross the roadway safely. However, comments from York Region Police and other municipal jurisdictions indicate that while they are beneficial to pedestrians, there is a tendency for motorists to use the Pedestrian Countdown Signals to determine when the signal will turn red.
This possibility can be mitigated by providing Pedestrian
Countdown Signals for the crossing of the major road only. By doing so, the Pedestrian Countdown Signals
would operate in tandem with side-street traffic operations only, which
typically have lower speeds and traffic volumes.
As of November 2007, there are currently 14 Regional intersections within the Town of Markham which have Pedestrian Countdown Signals with an additional 55 intersections to be completed by summer 2008 (see Attachment C).
Transportation
Association of Canada & York Region Recommended Pedestrian Countdown
Signals Guidelines
The Transportation Association of Canada recommends the following criteria when considering the use of Pedestrian Countdown Signals:
1) Locations near hospitals, schools, senior’s housing and complexes.
2) Locations with a history of high pedestrian and vehicle conflicts.
3) Locations that generate high pedestrian and/or vehicle traffic.
4) Width of crossing (greater than 4 lanes).
In April 2005, York Region adopted a Pedestrian Countdown Signals implementation program, with consideration given to the recommendations outlined by the Transportation Association of Canada. York Region’s guidelines are as follows:
1) Over 100 pedestrians crossing in an 8-hour period.
2) Close proximity to a school and/or senior centre.
3) Pedestrian Countdown Signals to be used for crossing the major street only, which typically have wide crossings (i.e. 4 lane cross-section).
4) Pedestrian Countdown Signals to be used for crossing in all directions, if both streets are considered major.
All four guidelines should be met for a Pedestrian Countdown Signal to be provided.
Proposed Pedestrian
Countdown Signals Guidelines for Town Intersections
Engineering staff have reviewed York Region and the Transportation Association of Canada’s guidelines and are recommending that it be endorsed by the Town.
Engineering staff applied these guidelines to all signalized intersections within the Town (see Attachment D). Results concluded that there are currently 28 out of 58 signalized intersections which meet the minimum guidelines for the implementation of Pedestrian Countdown Signals and subject to Council’s approval will be incorporated in the Engineering Department 10 Year Capital Program.
There are several Markham intersections that have an excess of 100 pedestrians crossing, but the crossings are short (typically 2 lanes), and therefore do not meet the necessary guidelines. In these situations, other considerations (i.e. a consistent pattern of turning vehicles conflicting with pedestrians) may require the use of Pedestrian Countdown Signals. These will be reviewed on a site by site basis.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Given that the cost per unit is approximately $1000 based on York Region’s existing contract, and that each intersection would typically require four units, the cost for the implementation of Pedestrian Countdown Signals would be $4,000 per intersection, or $112,000 for the 28 intersections. This cost estimate is approximate and may vary depending on various factors such as the total quantity needed, hardware and software upgrade requirements and contractor’s pricing. Final costs will be determined at time of award, which will be in accordance to the Town’s purchasing by-law.
The Engineering Departments 2008 capital budget for “Intersection Improvements”, account #083-5350-8175-005 can accommodate approximately five intersections, including those requested by Council. It is expected that the installation of the Pedestrian Countdown Signals will be completed by year-end at the following warranted intersections:
1) Main Street Markham & Robinson Street (332 pedestrians)
2) Main Street Markham & Ramona Boulevard / GO Station (281 pedestrians)
3) Main Street Markham & Centre Street (256 pedestrians)
4) Main Street Markham & Bullock Drive / Parkway Avenue (123 pedestrians)
5) John Street & Porterfield Crescent (107 pedestrians)
In reference to the intersection
of Main Street Markham & Princess Street /
In reference to the intersection
of Main Street Markham & Bur Oak Avenue, the pedestrian volume data is
currently unavailable and will be collected in June. The
In 2007, the intersection of
Engineering staff will request funding in 2009 and subsequent years to install additional Pedestrian Countdown Signals at other warranted intersections. Pending approval, Engineering staff will recommend that Pedestrian Countdown Signals be incorporated where warranted, at future traffic signal designs installed through development and capital approvals.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
The Operations Department and Finance Department have reviewed this report and their comments have been incorporated.
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 – Types of Pedestrian Signal Displays
Attachment B – “Pedestrian Countdown Signals”, York Region Transportation & Works
Committee report. December 2002
Attachment C – Pedestrian Countdown Signal Displays on
Regional Roads in the
Town of Markham
Attachment D – Pedestrian Countdown Signal Displays Recommended at Markham
Intersections