Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT:

Full Signals at Larch and 41st, MacKenzie and 41st

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

THAT signal installation proceed on Larch and 41st and MacKenzie and 41st with associated traffic calming measures and further monitoring as noted in this report.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council approved traffic signals for Larch and 41st and MacKenzie and 41st pending public consultation.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to update Council on the public process for the signals at Larch and 41st and MacKenzie and 41st and outline a program of traffic calming measures and future monitoring.

BACKGROUND

Council had previously approved signals at Larch and 41st and MacKenzie and 41st. Both signals required public consultation to address traffic mitigation concerns. In 1999, the signals were approved by Council as pedestrian signals with consultation to occur prior to upgrading to full signals. However, based on site conditions, full signals were required and consultation undertaken in early 2000.

Full signals were recommended at both intersections to address concerns over vehicle accidents and safety concerns for pedestrians crossing 41st Avenue. The intersections are both unique in that Larch and MacKenzie are through streets to the north and residential to the south. This results in a large number of left and right turns onto or from Larch and MacKenzie which have a higher risk of a collision across high volume streets. Both intersections also have high pedestrian volumes, especially pedestrians accessing transit.

Both streets significantly change in character to the south; MacKenzie is narrow reflecting its role as a local residential street and Larch is adjacent to a neighbourhood park with high rise apartments on the other side. Because of the local, residential nature of these streets to the south, neighbourhood consultation was recommended by staff prior to full signals being installed.

The goals of the public consultation were to determine if the neighbourhood supported the upgrading of the approved signals from pedestrian activated to semi-activated and to determine whether the neighbourhood wanted traffic calming on the local residential street sections to the south. A full set of traffic counts, including traffic type and speed, were conducted in the neighbourhood on key streets to provide a benchmark for future monitoring.

ICBC have also agreed to fund the installation of the Larch and 41st signal but this requires the signal to be completed this year. Funding may also be available from TransLink.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

1300 surveys and notices of an Open House were delivered to residents on February 22, 2000. (See Appendix A). The area covered was from 37th to 45th and from Balsam to Balaclava. Residents were asked if they supported a full signal at either intersection. The full signal would be semi-activated whereby the signal stays on green for the major street and only changes when activated by a vehicle, pedestrian or bicycle on the minor street. Residents were also asked if they wanted traffic calming for the southern residential leg of each intersection.

The Open House was attended by approximately 100 people, and a presentation wasprovided on the proposed signals and traffic calming options. A second survey was handed out on traffic calming options.

DISCUSSION

Response to the first survey was high with approximately 400 replies (a 30% response rate) including numerous phone calls and letters. Results indicated very strong support for the full signals at both locations with less support for traffic calming (see Appendix B). 82% supported the full signal at Larch and 41st and 79% supported the full signal at MacKenzie and 41st. Less than 10% disagreed with signals. 52% supported traffic calming, 24% were neutral and only 17% disagreed. A small number of those neutral or against traffic calming indicated a preference to monitor and calm if necessary.

At the Open House, support was still strong for the signals although traffic calming views were more diverse (see Appendix B). Speeding and short cutting were the major issues raised during the open house.

MEASURES PROPOSED

Three out of the four residents of the 5700 block MacKenzie requested corner bulges to calm this local residential street. Corner bulges on the southern leg of MacKenzie and 41st would help to reinforce MacKenzie to the south as a residential street and discourage an increase in traffic due to the signal. Additional measures, such as a traffic circle at 42nd and MacKenzie, will be investigated following monitoring.

5700 and 5800 Larch Street is different in character as one side of the street is a well used park and the other comprises several high rise apartments. Many residents indicated a speeding problem at the park, which was confirmed by City counts. Approximately 60% of vehicles were over the 30km/h limit during daylight hours and 7-15% were over 50 km/h. The location of the dense housing and park make some form of speed control important. Speed humps are recommended as the most effective measure. This will complement the speed humps that will also be installed on Elm Street, on the other side of the park, as part of the speed hump program recently approved by Council. Additional measures, such as a traffic circle at 43rd, will be investigated following the monitoring program.

An additional issue raised by the residents was the intersection of Larch and 37th. There is concern that a signal will increase traffic on Larch and further exacerbate problems at this intersection. The intersection is considered by many residents to be a problem for both pedestrians crossing at the marked crosswalk and in terms of accidents. Problems were especially noted when church preschoolers cross the street to access their playground and parishioners access the church. 37th also functions as a bike route. A related problem wastraffic proceeding south on Larch and entering the narrowed section of Larch between 37th and 41st at too high a speed.

The option chosen to address these issues is a four way stop with marked crosswalks (similar to MacKenzie and 33rd) and corner bulges. The four way stop will help to reduce speeding, make drivers realise that the street character changes, and assist in helping pedestrians cross the street. The crosswalk lines help to define pedestrian space making it easier for pedestrians to cross and drivers to be aware of them. Bulges will significantly improve the curb alignment as well as improve the visibility of pedestrians, reduce their crossing distance. A bulge can be incorporated as part of a current Local Improvement Program on 37th at Larch.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Both signals were previously approved in the capital budgets of the 1995 and 1997 signal programs. The approved funds are insufficient to cover current costs (including associated traffic calming). However, funding from ICBC or TransLink (41st is on the Major Road Network) is expected to make up this difference.

2000 Cost Estimates:

Larch and 41st Signal $ 95,000 (including traffic calming)
MacKenzie and 41st Signal $ 95,000 (including traffic calming)
Total $190,000

Previously Approved $ 65,000 (Larch & 41st)

Additional Sources $ 36,000 (ICBC)
Total $190,000

CONCLUSION

Full signals will significantly improve pedestrian and vehicle safety at Larch and 41st and MacKenzie and 41st. To protect the southern legs of the intersections (local residential streets), corner bulges are recommended on the southern leg of MacKenzie and speed humps on the 5700-5800 block of Larch.

NOTE FROM CLERK: Appendix A (Open House Letter and Survey) not available in electronic form - on file in the Office of the City Clerk.

APPENDIX B

Survey Results


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