HomeMy WebLinkAboutES 03-13
Report to
Executive Committee
PI l KERING Report Number: ES 03-13 '
Date: February 11, 2013
From: Richard W. Holborn
Director, Engineering & Public Works
Subject: Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road
- Maximum Posted Speed Limit Review
- File: A-1440
Recommendation: ,
1. That Report ES 03-13 of the Director, Engineering & Public Works regarding a
review of the maximum posted speed limits on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna
Road be received; and
2. That the existing speed limit of 50 km/h on Glenanna Road and Valley Farm Road
between Kingston Road and Pickering Parkway be maintained, based on previous
traffic studies, input from Durham Regional Police and the results of the review of
traffic operations.
Executive Summary: On December 10, 2012 Council passed Resolution #151/12,
which adopted staff recommendations from report CS 44-12 (presented to the Executive
Committee on December 3, 2012) and directed staff to investigate reducing the
maximum posted speed limit on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road between
Kingston Road and Pickering Parkway from 50 km/h to 40 km/h, and to report back to
Council. In response to Resolution #151/12 staff has completed an additional review of
the maximum posted speed limit on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road.
Based on the review, previous traffic studies on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road,
and discussions with the Durham Regional Police about reducing speed limits on Type
C arterial roads, Engineering & Public Works staff does not recommend reducing the
speed limit on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road between Kingston Road and
Pickering Parkway from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.
Financial Implications: There are no financial implications for the 50 km/h maximum
posted speed limit to remain. Discussion: The Durham Community Condominium Alliance on behalf of
its residents at 1880/1890 Valley Farm Road and other area residents have previously
expressed concerns related to pedestrian safety on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna
Road between Kingston Road and Pickering Parkway. Their request for additional
IY
Report ES 03-13 February 11, 2013
Subject: Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road
Maximum Posted Speed Limit Review Page 2
traffic safety measures included a reduction in the maximum posted speed limit from 50
km/h to 30 km/h on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road.
On September 18, 2012 Council passed Resolution #113/12 for staff to review possible
safety improvements on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road between Kingston
Road and Pickering Parkway, citing increasing vehicular traffic and speed from
development in the area. In response to Resolution #113/12 and resident concerns,
Engineering & Public Works staff completed a traffic review of Valley Farm Road and
Glenanna Road and presented report CS 44-12 on December 3, 2012 to the Executive
Committee. Report CS 44-12 discussed in detail various traffic and safety concerns on I
Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road including the reduction of speed limit from 50
km/h to 30 km/h which was not recommended, indicating that the City of Pickering does
not use a 30 km/h posted speed on any City maintained roadways.
On December 10, 2012 Council passed Resolution #151/12 (Attachment #1), which
adopted staff recommendations from report CS 44-12 and further directed staff to investigate reducing the maximum posted speed limit on Valley Farm Road and
Glenanna Road befinreen Kingston Road and Pickering Parkway from 50 km/h to 40
km/h and to report back to Council. In Response to Resolution #151/12 staff has
completed an additional review of the maximum posted speed limit on Valley Farm
Road and Glenanna Road.
Both Glenanna Road and Valley Farm Road are Arterial Type C roadways as
designated in the City's official plan. The main function of an Arterial type C roadway is
to move traffic at a higher speed than local and collector type roadways. Being Arterial
Type C roadways, Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road are exempt from the 40 km/h
speed limit adopted by the City for local and collector roadways. Durham Region's
Arterial Corridor Guidelines recommends the travel speed for an Arterial Type C
roadway to be between 50 km/h and 60 km/h. Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road
are constructed to acceptable and current geometric design standards in use in Ontario,
for the 50km/h posted speed limit.
The daily traffic volumes on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road between Kingston
Road and Pickering Parkway are shown below, which are reasonable for Arterial Type
C roadways. Arteriaf Type C roadways can normally carry up to 12,000 vehicles a day.
Valley Farm Road Glenanna Road
Northbound 3,686 5,093
Southbound 3,968 4,560
Total Traffic 7,654 9,653 '
Speed data was previously collected on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road for
three consecutive days from March 27, 2012 to March 29, 2012. Based on that traffic
study, it was determined that the 85th percentile speed, which is the speed of which 85
percent of the traffic is travelling at or below is very reasonable for a 50 km/h road.
CORP0227-07/01 revised
Report ES 03-13 February 11, 2013
Subject: Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road
Maximum Posted Speed Limit Review Page 3
The 85th percentile speeds for Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road between Kingston
Road and Pickering Parkway are shown below. Valley Farm Road Glenanna Road
Northbound 54 km/h 46 km/h
Southbound 52 km/h 47 km/h
It is often believed by many residents that lowering the speed limit on a roadway would
make it safer, since vehicles should travel at a lower speed. However, it has been
proven that the majority of motorists tend to drive the speed that they are comfortable at
for the roadway and driving• conditions and that lowering the speed limit may not change
the actual speed that motorists travel at, but instead cause a higher percentage of non-
compliant drivers.
i
According to the Transportation Association of Canada, Institute of Transportation
Engineers Canadian Guide to Neighbourhood Traffic Calming, reducing a speed limit as
a traffic calming measure would create compliance problems, and would not have a
significant reduction in traffic volumes or a significant reduction in conflicts.
City staff have also discussed lowering the speed limit on Valley Farm Road and
Glenanna Road between Kingston Road and Pickering Parkway with the Durham
Regional Police Service. The Durham Regional Police have advised City staff that they
oppose the reduction of the speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h on both of these
roadways.
Therefore, based on the previous traffic studies on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna
Road, discussions with the Durham Regional Police, and reviews into reducing speed
limits on Arterial Type C roads, Engineering & Public Works staff does not recommend
reducing the speed limit on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road between Kingston
Road and Pickering Parkway from 50 km/h to 40 km/h. Attachment:
1. Resolution #151/12
CORP0227-07/01 revised
Report ES 03-13 February 11, 2013
Subject: Valiey Farm Road and Glenanna Road
Maximum Posted Speed Limit Review Page 4
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Nathan EmeryRich d W. Hol orn, P. Eng.
rdinator, Traffic Operations Dire tor, Engineering & Public Works
/
r Selsky, CET, CMM III
anager, Capital Projects & Vfrastructure
NE
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering Cit Council
ia4t • Z 2 /
Tony Prevedel, P.Eng:
Chief Administrative Officer
CORP0227-07/01 revised
f;-1__ACk,MENT#-j_ - TC3 P.EPoRT#-f-5-6.3 -I 3
Legal and Legislative Services
Clerk's Office
Directive Memorandum
December 14, 2012
To: Everett- Buntsma
Director, Community Services
From: Debbie Shields
City Clerk
Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Special Meeting of City Council
held on December 10, 2012
Director, Community Services, Report CS 44-12
Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road
Traffic and Safety Concerns I
Council Decision Resolution #151/12
1. That Report CS 44-12 of the Director, Community Services regarding traffic and
safety concerns on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna Road, in response to
Resolution #113/12 be received;
2. That the crosswalk request on Valley Farm Road at either Avonmore Square, in
the vicinity of the 1880/1890 Valley Farm Road driveway, or at the intersection with .
The Esplanade North not be supported based on the traffic study results and staff
recommendation;
3. That the upgrade of the intersection pedestrian signal to a full signalized
intersection at Valley Farm Road and the South Esplanade be included in the 2013
Capital Budget;
4. That 50 km/h speed limit signs be installed on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna
Road, and that two pedestrian crossing signs on Valley Farm Road be installed
close to 1880/1890 Valley Farm Road with "Watch for Seniors" tabs added to the
signs, and that the existing pedestrian crossing sign on Valley Farm Road north of
Diefenbaker Court be relocated to a location south of Diefenbaker Court and a
"Watch for Seniors" tab be installed on both existing pedestrian crossing signs;
5. That staff investigate reducing the speed limit on Valley Farm Road and Glenanna
Road from 50 km/h to 40 km/h and bring back a report to Council.
Please take any action deemed necessary.
Debbie Shields
/Ir
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
,