Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT:

2000 Traffic Signal Program

 

RECOMMENDATION

COUNCIL POLICY

SUMMARY

Council has approved funding as part of the 2000 - 2002 Streets Capital Plan for the Annual Traffic Signal Program. Funding requests included in this report account for one-third of the money approved in the three year Capital Plan. The 2000 Traffic Signal Program is recommended as follows:

A) Pedestrian-Actuated Signals $612,000

B) Full Signals $80,000

C) Special Crosswalks & Flight Light Warning Systems $178,000

D) Signal Modifications $550,000

TOTAL 2000 PROGRAM $ 1,420,000

PURPOSE

This report lists the locations recommended for signal installations or modifications and the reasons for these recommendations.

INTRODUCTION

The City of Vancouver relies on a surface street network to handle its transportation needs. Therefore, pedestrian, cyclist, transit and traffic signals are significant traffic management elements in the safe movement of people and goods. Detailed studies are undertaken each year by staff to determine locations that require new or modified traffic signal controls. Users of the transportation system such as pedestrians, cyclists, transit vehicles, trucks and automobiles are considered in these studies. Many locations are reviewed in this program to provide a comprehensive coverage. Based on this review, a recommended Traffic Signal Program has been prepared.

Council's top transportation priority is pedestrians, and eight of the nine recommended signals are pedestrian signals, two of which are recommended at existing school-designated crosswalks. Transit customers and transit vehicles are being aided at several of the recommended signals and signal improvements. The proposed vehicle signal will address pedestrian and traffic safety needs. Furthermore, Special Crosswalks and Flight Light Warning Systems have been added to the signal program, as there has been an increased need for improvements to pedestrian facilities throughout the City. These devices will assist pedestrians by enhancing pedestrian and driver visibility and awareness at pedestrian crossings.

DISCUSSION

A) Recommended Locations - Pedestrian Signals

B) Full Signals

C) Special Crosswalks & Flight Light Warning System $178,000

D) Signal Modifications

OTHER SIGNAL INSTALLATIONS

Signal installation and modifications may also be initiated through other programs or agencies. Appendix E lists signals which are being reviewed due to private developments and through other projects such as Greenways and Bicycle Routes. Additional reports will be forwarded to Council as the processes of the Greenways and Bikeway projects are completed. Included in Appendix G is a list of signal installations and modifications requested for transit operations and their status of completion.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The 2000 Traffic Signal Program cost is a total of $1,420,000 represents one-third of the money approved in the 2000-2002 Streets Capital Plan. On May 18, 2000, Council approved $1,420,000 for the Annual Traffic Signal Program as part of the Engineering Basic Capital Budget.

Future Operating Budgets will be affected by increases in maintenance costs associated with the addition of new signals, related equipment, signage, road marking, intersection traffic counts and increased energy consumption. This year's Signal Program represents roughly a one and one-half percent increase in the plant of the Traffic Signal System. For this increase in the City's signal plant and the addition of Special Crosswalks and Flight Light Warning Systems, costs of $30,000 without offset will need to be funded in future Operating Budgets as these devices are installed.

-----
APPENDIX A

1) Denman & Comox

2) Kingsway & 10th Avenue

3) Broadway & Balaclava

4) Great Northern Way & Glen

5) 49th Avenue @ S.W. Marine Drive

6) Powell / Water & Carrall

7) Broadway & Pine

8) 41st Avenue & Vine

9) 4th Avenue & Pine


10) Pender & Broughton

11) 12th Avenue & Larch

12) Commercial Drive & 4th Avenue

13) Granville Street @ Balfour Ave. or Matthews Ave.

APPENDIX B

Locations To Be Reviewed In 2000

(* Locations Adjacent To Signals)

4th Ave. @ Pine St.*
10th Ave. @ Highbury St.*
10th Ave. @ Mackenzie St.
12th Ave. @ Sophia St.*
16th Ave. @ Ontario St.
22nd Ave. @ Penticton St.
33rd Ave. @ St. Catherines St.
41st Ave. @ Heather St.
41st Ave. @ Inverness St.
41st Ave. @ Killarney St.*
41st Ave. @ Vine St.*
54th Ave. @ Doman St.
57th Ave. @ Pr. Edward Ave.*
70th Ave. @ Cartier St.
Alma St. @ 6th Ave.
Arbutus St. @ 11th Ave.*
Broadway @ Carnarvon St.*
Broadway @ Yew St.*
Burrard St. @ 5th Ave. - 6th Ave.*
Burrard St. @ 10th Ave.*
Burrard St @ 14th Ave.

Commercial Dr. @ 4th Ave.*
Dunbar St. @ 29th Ave.*
Earles St. @ Euclid St.*
Georgia St. @ Nicola St.*
Granville St. @ Balfour Ave.
Granville St. @ Matthews Ave.
Great Northern Way @ Glen Dr.
King Edward Ave. @ Laurel St.
Slocan St. @ Norquay St.

APPENDIX C

Other Locations Reviewed For 2000 Traffic Signal Program

4th Ave. @ Blenheim St.
4th Ave. @ Trutch St.
4th Ave. @ Wallace St.
4th Ave. @ Balaclava St.*
10th Ave. @ Tolmie St.*
10th Ave. @ Wallace Cr.
12th Ave. @ Alder St.
12th Ave. @ Balsam St.
12th Ave. @ Trafalgar St.
16th Ave. @ Columbia St.
16th Ave. @ Balaclava St.
16th Ave. @ Discovery St.
16th Ave. @ Manitoba St.
16th Ave. @ Highbury St.*
22nd Ave. @ Cassiar St.*
33rd Ave. @ Pr. Edward St.
41st Ave. @ Wallace St.
41st Ave. @ Balaclava St.
41st Ave. @ Macdonald St.
41st Ave. @ Elizabeth St.
41st Ave. @ Wales St.*
49th Ave. @ Alberta St.*
49th Ave. @ Commercial St.
49th Ave. @ Nanaimo St.
49th Ave. @ Windsor St.
57th Ave. @ Ross St.
Adanac St. @ Salsbury Dr.
Alma St. @ 8th Ave.*
Beach Ave. @ Nicola St.
Broadway @ Lillooet St.
Burrard St. @ 14th Ave.
Cambie St. @ 65th Ave.*
Dunbar St. @ 33rd Ave.
Dundas St. @ Penticton St.
Earles St. @ Horley St.
Fraser St. @ 59th Ave.
Gore St. @ Georgia St.*
Gore St. @ Union St.*
Hastings St. @ Lillooet St.*
King Edward Ave. @ Windsor St.
King Edward Ave. @ Inverness St.
King Edward Ave. @ Pr. Albert St.*
Knight St. @ 45th Ave.*
Main St. @ 39th Ave.
Oak St. @ 26th Ave.*
Oak St. @ 27th Ave.
Oak St. @ 28th Ave.
Rupert St. @ 26th Ave.
Victoria Dr. @ Stainsbury Ave.*
Wolfe Ave. @ 16th Ave.

APPENDIX D

Locations Reviewed But Not Recommended for a Vehicular Signal

* Gore @ Union

* Granville @ 6th
* Homer @ Helmcken

* Jackson @ Hastings (pedestrian)
* Joyce @ Wellington (pedestrian)
* Joyce @ 29th

* Willow @ 41st (pedestrian)

(* Locations adjacent to signals)

APPENDIX E

Signal Improvements funded through other projects

New signal installations and upgrades to existing signals through Greenways and Bikeways are listed below. The following locations have had signal work completed within the past year or are currently underway. The upgrading of signals refers to one or more of the following:

Venables & McLean New signal completed Mosaic Bikeway
Commercial & 14th New signal completed Mosaic Bikeway
Discovery & 10th Avenue New signal underway Ridgeway West
Camosun & 16th Avenue Upgrade completed Ridgeway West
Dunbar & 18th Avenue New signal completed Ridgeway West
Lakewood & Dundas New signal completed Trans-Canada Trail

The following locations are simply proposed at this time and have yet to go through neighbourhood consultation, the Bicycle Advisory Committee and to be approved by Council.

Oak & 10th Avenue New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
Kingsway & 10th Avenue New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
Knight & 10th Avenue New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
Burrard & 10th Avenue New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
Commercial & 10th Avenue New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
Rupert north of B.N. RLY New signal proposed Greenway/Skytrain
Renfrew @ Hebb/12th New signal proposed Greenway/Skytrain
Alberni & Denman New signal proposed Alberni Bikeway
Ontario & Marine Drive New signal proposed Ontario Bikeway
Ontario & 16th Avenue New signal proposed Ontario Bikeway

Signal Locations to be Funded by Developers

There are locations where, in accordance to the rezoning agreements or as a condition of development approval, signals may be installed at the expense of the developers. These are locations where existing conditions are satisfactory but as a direct result of the developments, future conditions may be affected and signals will be required to accommodate pedestrians and traffic. Future signal locations to be funded by others are as follows:

49th Ave/Columbia New signal underway Langara College development
41st/E. Blvd. Modification to be monitored London Drugs development
E. Broadway/Nootka New signal to be monitored Broadway Tech Centre
Grandview Hwy/Skeena New signal to be monitored Costco Site development
Great N Way/Brunswick New signal to be monitored Francis Xavier development
Oak/59th Modification to be monitored Oakherst development

APPENDIX F

Locations Under Review For Left Turn Phasing and/or Detection

The following signals are being reviewed for installation of left turn arrows or for detection of existing left turn arrows.

Nanaimo/Dundas - EB to NB (detection)
Granville at 70th - NB to WB and SB to EB (detection)
Burrard/Pacific - WB to SB (detection)
Burrard/Hastings - WB to SB (detection)
Howe/Hastings - WB to SB (detection)
Main/2nd - SB to EB and EB to NB (detection)
Arbutus/Broadway - WB to SB (detection)
Arbutus/King Edward - SB to EB and EB to NB (detection)
Granville/Broadway - EB to NB and WB to SB (detection)
Cambie/Broadway - EB to NB and WB to SB (detection)
Burrard/16th - SB to EB and EB to NB (detection)
Commercial/Broadway - EB to NB (new arrow)
Oak/49th - All directions (new arrows)
Fraser/Kingsway - NB to WB (new arrow)
Commercial/Hastings - WB to SB (new arrow)
Boundary/29th - NB to WB (new arrow)
Pender/Burrard - WB to SB (new arrow)
Macdonald at Broadway - EB to NB and WB to SB (new arrows)

APPENDIX G

Locations Submitted by TransLink for Modifications

Transit has high priority in the City's Traffic Signal Program, and most of the modifications recommended in this report will benefit transit customers by increasing pedestrian safety, reducing travel time, and improving the reliability of the affected bus services. Improvements through future Annual Traffic Signal Program's will be coordinated through TransLink.

Location

Description

Status

Hastings & Granville

1. install left turn arrow WB to SB
2. install right turn arrow NB to EB

under review

Broadway & Commercial

1. install left turn arrow EB to NB

under review

Cordova & Richards

1. install right turn arrow EB to SB
2. geometric changes to the intersection including bulges

under review

Wellington & Rupert

1. bus actuation at the existing pedestrian signal

under review

APPENDIX H

The "Special Crosswalk" pedestrian crossing device consists of the following features: pavement markings, overhead internally-illuminated signs with pedestrian-activated flashing amber beacons, ground mounted signs, advance warning signs and special lighting of the crosswalk area.

Figure 1- Typical "Special Crosswalk" Installation

* * * * *


tt000530.htm


Comments or questions? You can send us email.
[City Homepage] [Get In Touch]

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver