ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: April 7, 2000
Author/Local: I. Adam/7331
RTS No. 1398

CC File No. 5701

T&T: April 18, 2000

TO:	Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Pedestrian Safety

INFORMATION

The General Manager submits this report for INFORMATION.

POLICY

Council approves an Annual Signal Program and Capital Budget items under Greenways, Traffic Calming and Street and Sidewalks.

PURPOSE

On March 28, Council deferred a motion proposing that a Task Force be struck, and an Advisory Committee be appointed, to advise on issues of pedestrian safety (see Appendix A). The purpose of this report is to provide background information to that motion.

BACKGROUND

Pedestrians are identified as the highest priority in the City Transportation Plan, and are vulnerable to injury in the event of a collision with a motor vehicle. For these reasons, the City already has a very active program of facilities, education and enforcement for pedestrian safety. Some elements of the program are as follows:

· installation of 53 pedestrian signals in the last five years, based on analytical review to establish priorities and community consultation;
· the largest program of audible signals in North America, with 150 currently in place (see Appendix B);
· an extensive school safety program, in partnership with the parents, School Board and Police Department;
· in partnership with ICBC, an extensive educational program, development program and sponsorship of safety initiatives;
· the Greenways program;
· the traffic calming program in neighbourhoods;
· removal of right-turn cutoffs at Richards and Pacific, Nanaimo and Broadway, and others;
· reinstatement and expansion of the Police Traffic Squad
· sidewalk construction and repairs

DISCUSSION

These programs, along with many others, have been effective in reducing the crash rate overall, and in reducing pedestrian fatalities specifically. As the chart below illustrates, the fatality rate relative to population has declined markedly over a period of years, and today is less than half the rate of 1970. Nonetheless, until our streets are completely safe, the City should continue strong efforts at improving safety.

Discussion of fatality rates can be a difficult topic. Each individual fatality is a tragedy; dealing with rates and trends cannot conceal that fact. A year such as 1999, when fatalities were abnormally high, is particularly disturbing. Fortunately, it does not appear to be typical of the trend.

Incidents do vary markedly from year to year, and although 1999 was high, the trend continues to be towards safer streets. At the time of writing, there have been 3 fatalities this year, versus 9 to the same date last year. This further suggests that the rate experienced in 1999 was atypical. The best approach may be to continue with these successful programs, and augment them with new programs as these become available.

Some new programs currently being prepared are as follows:

· innovative projects with ICBC, such as an enhanced crosswalk being tested at 6th and Alma;

· new calming techniques, such as the raised crosswalk installed on Laurel Street, and
· funding in the 2000 Capital Budget for curb bulges (pavement narrowing) at school crosswalks.

On this latter point, it is expected that a program will be submitted for Council's review shortly.

CONCLUSIONS

It is not clear that the proposed Task Force and Advisory Committee would be more effective in improving safety, and their establishment is not recommended. Council's Transportation and Traffic Committee already reviews and approves all safety programs. Specific task forces are already in place to deal with issues like school safety. Experience would suggest that the proposed new groups could act to duplicate work that is already underway, thus adding further screening layers. Rather than improving safety, they could act to increase the time needed to bring measures to implementation.

Nonetheless, these groups could raise the profile of pedestrian safety. Should Council wish to approve the proposed Task Force and Advisory Committee, there would be a need for a meeting coordinator to support the groups, and some meeting expenses. The City Clerk's Department and Engineering Department are currently working at full capacity and are unable to add another committee and task force at their current staffing levels. A half-time position would have to be created in either Department at a Meeting Coordinator or Engineering Assistant III level (subject to classification review) the additional cost is estimated to be $28,000 per year, representing an increase in the Operating Budget without offset. If the Notice of Motion is approved, then these administrative aspects should be approved as well.

Currently, there is a Public Review Process underway and staff are analysing the support required by various committees, with a view to finding some efficiencies in what has become a substantial demand on staff time and resources to serve these committees while at the same time fulfilling departmental commitments. Council may wish to consider postponing creation of another committee and task force until this review is complete. Alternatively, Council may wish to consider establishing a specific time-frame and terms of reference (which includes policy recommendations) for the committee and task force.

ATTACHMENTS THAT DO NOT HAVE ELECTRONIC COPY ARE AVAILABLE ON FILE IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver