Report to: Development Services Committee Report Date: May 14, 2009
SUBJECT:
PREPARED BY: Bob Nicholson, Manager, Business & Technical Services, ext. 4893
David
Porretta, Engineering Technologist, ext. 2040
RECOMMENDATION:
1) That the report entitled
“
2) And that the York Region Transportation and Works Department be requested to install permanent traffic control signals at the subject location, at a cost of $120,000, funded through the Town of Markham Engineering Department account #083-5350-8472-005;
3) And that the York Region Transportation and Works Department reimburse the Town the full cost of the traffic signal installation upon the intersection meeting the technical warrants for traffic signals;
4)
And that the York Region Transportation and Works Department be directed
to maintain the traffic signals at a cost of $4,000 per year, funded through
the Town of Markham Operations Department operating budget account #700-505-5308,
until such time that the intersection meets technical warrants for traffic signals;
5) And that subject to installation, the Operations Department traffic signal operating budget account #700-505-5308 be increased by $4,000 starting in 2010 to cover the cost of maintenance until such time as the Region of York assumes full responsibility for maintenance;
6) And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
PURPOSE:
This report recommends that York
Region be requested to proceed with the design and installation of traffic
control signals at the intersection of
BACKGROUND:
The intersection of 16th Avenue and Cachet Woods Court is located in west Markham between Highway 404 and Woodbine Avenue. The intersection is under the jurisdiction of the Region of York. 16th Avenue is a 4-lane arterial road and Cachet Woods Court is a 2-lane local road ending in a cul-de-sac (see Attachment A). Cachet Woods Court is a classified as an industrial cul-de-sac, currently servicing three commercial properties. Buttonville Airport is located on the south side of 16th Avenue. Primary access to the airport is serviced by this intersection.
OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:
Traffic Signals do not meet the justification warrants
To implement traffic control signals at an intersection, the necessary justification warrants must be met as outlined by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. The justification warrants are as follows:
1) Minimum Vehicular Volume
2) Delay to Cross Traffic
3) Accident Experience
Traffic Signals are justified when one of the criteria are met 100%, or alternatively, if two warrants are justified 80% or more. The Region of York conducted a warrant analysis on April 23, 2009 and yielded the following results:
|
WARRANT 1 Minimum Vehicular Volume |
WARRANT 2 Delay to Cross Traffic |
WARRANT 3 Accident Experience |
|
73% |
74% |
0% |
Results conclude that the intersection does not meet the necessary justification warrants.
York Region policy will permit the unwarranted installation of signals
Although the technical justification warrants were not met, the Region has a policy allowing municipalities to pay for the installation of unwarranted traffic signals, subject to the following conditions being met:
1) Warrant
1 and 2 are satisfied by at least 70%.
2) The
York Region Transportation and Works Department have no technical objections to
the installation of traffic signals at the location requested.
3) All
installation costs are incurred by the local municipality. The installation cost of a permanent signal is
$120,000.
4) All
on-going maintenance costs are incurred by the local municipalities, until such
time as the traffic signals become warranted.
On-going maintenance costs are estimated at $4,000 annually. Actual costs will be charged to the
municipality.
5) When
the traffic signal becomes warranted, the Region will reimburse the local
municipalities 100% of the original installation cost.
The intersection does meet the 70% criteria outlined in the Region’s policy. Therefore, the Region can proceed with a detailed design for the installation of traffic signals, provided that a formal request is made by Markham Council.
Proposed traffic signals will require approval from the Ministry of
Transportation
The intersection of
Signalizing this intersection may
compromise operations at both intersections as well as traffic progression
along
As part of the design process, the Region will be required to consult with the Ministry of Transportation seeking their approval to install the proposed traffic control signals. If the Ministry of Transportation does not approve of the proposed traffic signals at the intersection of 16th Avenue and Cachet Woods Court, the Region will not be able to proceed with the installation.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE:
The following is a summary of the
financial considerations for this report:
Original
budget and account # $225,000
#083-5350-8472-005 Signal at 16th Ave & Cachet Ct
Less
cost of award $120,000
Budget
remaining $105,000 *
*
The remaining funds are budgeted for external consulting (budgeted at $10,000)
and internal chargeback costs (budgeted at $23,000). After completion of the project, the
remaining budget will be returned to the original funding source.
Subject to completion of the requested traffic signal installation, an additional $4,000 per year is to be provided in the Operations Department operating budget traffic signal maintenance account #700-505-5308 (currently available $117,737) to cover additional annual maintenance costs.
HUMAN RESOURCES
CONSIDERATIONS:
Not applicable.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
This report aligns with the community safety component of transportation/transit strategic priority.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Not applicable.
RECOMMENDED BY:
________________________
______________________________
Paul Ingham,
General Manager,
________________________ Brenda Librecz,
Commissioner, Community & Fire Services
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Location Map
Attachment B – York Region Traffic
Signal Warrant Policy
X:\Commission Share\Operations
and Asset Management\Reports\2009\Operations\Business & Technical\Traffic
Operations\2009\JUN\16th Ave @ Cachet Woods Ct TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS\16th @
Cachet Woods TCS Report.doc