ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: February 5, 2001
Author/Local: W. Chou/7913

RTS No. 1889

CC File No. 5762

Council: March 27, 2001

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Insurance Corporation of British Columbia - Funding for Road Safety Improvements

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council accept contributions of $1,005,000 from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) Road Safety Improvement Program for various safety improvement projects as specified in this report, and that the Director of Legal Services be authorized to enter into agreements relating thereto, provided they are drawn to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services and the General Manager of Engineering Services.

B. THAT the Mayor, on behalf of Council, write ICBC, thanking ICBC for its ongoing support of safety improvements in the City of Vancouver.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council has approved similar programs and funding contributions from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia since 1994 as part of their Road Safety Improvements Program.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval to accept contributions from ICBC for Road Safety improvements within the City of Vancouver.
BACKGROUND

Since 1994, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia has participated in joint reviews with staff of traffic safety along several corridors in the City of Vancouver. As a result of these reviews, ICBC has contributed over $2,500,000 from its loss prevention program for safety improvements in the City, through a variety of projects.

This funding has been used to provide an improved level of service on projects that Council had approved, and has resulted in substantial reduction in collisions.

DISCUSSION

2000 - 2001 Road Safety Improvement Contribution

ICBC continues to work with staff and consultants to identify and review high collision locations in the City. As a result of these studies, ICBC has agreed to provide funding towards Road Safety Initiatives (see Appendix A).

i) Signal Improvements - Tertiary Head Installations

Standard signals have two heads, or sets of lights. Sometimes the view of these can be blocked, for example, when following a large bus or truck. Adding a third head improves the visibility of the signal. Signal visibility improvements such as this have been successful at many high collision locations throughout the City.

Funding of $10,000 has been approved as part of the 2000 Traffic Signal Program for tertiary head installations, with locations being identified by staff and ICBC through ongoing intersection safety reviews. ICBC is willing to provide an additional $60,000 towards the City program for improving traffic signal visibility.

ii) Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Special Crosswalks & Flight Lights

There has been an increased need for enhancements to pedestrian facilities throughout the City. Special Crosswalks and Flight Light Systems will help to improve locations where a traffic signal is not recommended, but increased driver visibility and awareness of pedestrians will help to improve existing pedestrian crossing conditions. Eight Special Crosswalks and one Flight Light System have been approved by Council as part of the 2000 Traffic Signal Program. Due to the enhancements in pedestrian safety that are associated with these devices, ICBC has agreed to contribute $65,000 to this program.

iii) Corridor Reviews - 49th Avenue, Nanaimo Street, and Oak Street

Since 1994, ICBC and staff have reviewed a number of corridors in the City of Vancouver. In 1999 three corridors were studied, 49th Avenue, Nanaimo Street, and Oak Street. Working with City staff, a number of modifications are being recommended, which range from a pedestrian-actuated signal to additional traffic signage. ICBC is prepared to provide funding totalling $516,000 for the three corridors studied.

iv) Off-Road Collisions Review

In addition to the corridor studies, ICBC and staff have completed a study to identify locations where the risk of off-road collisions is a concern, and to determine potential cost-effective mitigation measures. This review identifies six locations throughout the City and recommends measures which range from upgrading signage to anti-skid pavement treatment. ICBC recognizes the importance of reducing off-road collisions and the benefits to road safety from these measures, and is willing to contribute up to $156,000 towards this program.

v) Marine Drive at Cambie - Accident Reduction Strategy

This project includes two components to address the risk of collisions at the intersection while at the same time maintaining capacity. This includes:

· Modifications to the traffic signal phasing

· Adjusting existing eastbound lane allocations

The redesign of the intersection of Marine at Cambie was approved by Council in July, 2000, and construction is now complete. Due to the enhancements in safety that are associated with this project, ICBC has agreed to contribute $150,000.

vi) Additional projects

ICBC has agreed to provide funding to go towards the following projects:

Stop Sign Infill Program

Neighbourhoods identified by staff as having accident types which could be reduced through the addition of stop signs to better identify right-of-way. Many such neighbourhoods have some intersections presently controlled and would benefit from having the remainder of the area stop sign infilled. ICBC has agreed to contribute $50,000 towards this program.
High Intensity Diamond Grade signs

In addition to the stop sign infill program, staff with the support of ICBC have initiated a program to upgrade existing stop signs to high intensity diamond grade signs. The increased reflectivity of the diamond grade stops signs will increase motorists' visibility of the stop signs and help reduce the risk of collisions. ICBC will contribute $8,000 towards this upgrade.

Fluorescent-Lime-Yellow School Area signs

The school area sign is used in advance of a school ground to provide advance warning to motorists approaching an area where children walk along or may cross the road. The Ministry of Transportation and Highways is adopting a new standard which will change the colour of the sign from blue to fluorescent-lime-yellow. Presently, staff are working to develop a program to upgrade existing school zone signs to comply with this new standard. It is expected that ICBC will provide funding once this program is in place.

Additional information on these projects is included in the Appendix.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Future operating budgets will be affected by increases in maintenance costs associated with the addition of new signals, signal modifications, related equipment, signage, road marking, and increased energy consumption. For these modifications, costs of $10,000 without offset will need to be funded in future Operating Budgets as these devices are installed.

TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Council approved the Transportation Plan on May 27, 1997, which provides that measures to improve safety are required, but should be designed to as not to increase capacity (policy R6), and that traffic should be calmed in neighbourhoods (policy NP3). These measures help to implement these policies.

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Appendix

Road Safety Improvements

i) Signal Improvements - Tertiary Head Installations $60,000

Addition of a third traffic signal head usually located on the right side of the intersection. The primary head (located over the roadway) is also upgraded to increase the size of the three colour lenses. Forty-one locations are to be upgraded in this manner. City funds have been previously approved as part of the 2000 Traffic Signal Program. The list of the locations is as follows:

1.	49th Ave.	&	W. Boulevard
2.	49th Ave.	&	E. Boulevard
3.	49th Ave.	&	Cypress
4.	49th Ave.	&	Elliott
5.	49th Ave.	&	Tisdall
6.	49th Ave.	&	Cambie
7.	49th Ave.	&	Manitoba
8.	49th Ave.	&	Ontario
9.	49th Ave.	&	Main
10.	49th Ave.	&	Prince Edward
11.	49th Ave.	&	Fraser
12.	49th Ave.	&	Knight
13.	49th Ave.	&	Vivian
14.	49th Ave.	&	Killarney
15.	49th Ave.	&	Kerr
16.	49th Ave.	&	Doman
17.	49th Ave.	&	Tyne
18.	49th Ave.	&	Frontenac
19.	Nanaimo	&	Cambridge
20.	Nanaimo	&	Dundas

21. Nanaimo St. & Pandora
22. Nanaimo St. & Adanac
23. Nanaimo St. & Charles
24. Nanaimo St. & Grandview
25. Nanaimo St. & 20th Ave.
26. Nanaimo St. & 22nd Ave.
27. Nanaimo St. & 24th Ave.
28. Nanaimo St. & Kingsway
29. Oak St. & 16th Ave.
30. Oak St. & Douglas/19th Ave
31. Oak St. & 22nd Ave.
32. Oak St. & Devonshire
33. Oak St. & 37th Ave.
34. Oak St. & 46th Ave.
35. Oak St. & 54th Ave.
36. Oak St. & 57th Ave.
37. Oak St. & 59th Ave.
38. Oak St. & Park Drive
39. Oak St. & 67th Ave.
40. Oak St. & 70th Ave.
41. Oak St. & Marine Drive

ii) Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Special Crosswalks & Flight Lights $65,000

Installation of Special Crosswalks and Flight Lights will assist pedestrians by enhancing pedestrian and driver visibility and awareness at pedestrian crossings. Special Crosswalks include the following features: pavement markings, overhead internally illuminated signs with pedestrian-activated flashing amber beacons, ground mounted signs, advance warning signs, and special lighting on the crosswalk area. The Flight Light Warning System is a pilot project which began in December, 1999, with the first installation at Alma & 6th Ave. This pedestrian crossing device consists of a series of pedestrian-actuated, flashing amber lights, embedded in the roadway surface, running along both sides of the marked crosswalk. Eight Special Crosswalks and one Flight Light Warning System have been approved as part of the 2000 Traffic Signal Program.

Special Crosswalk Locations Flight Light Warning System

1. Fraser St. & 31st Ave 1. Slocan St. & Norquay St.
2. 41st Ave. & Columbia St.
3. Dundas St. & Penticton St.
4. 41st Ave. & Wallace St.
5. 4th Ave. & Wallace St.
6. 54th Ave. & Doman St
7. 4th Ave. & Trutch St.
8. Hemlock St. & 13th Ave.

Due to the improvements in pedestrian safety associated with these crossing devices, ICBC has agreed to partially fund this project. Funding provided will be in the order of $65,000.

iii) Corridor Reviews - 49th Avenue, Nanaimo Street, and Oak Street $516,000

Similar to many other corridor studies and related improvements which have been completed within the City, these three corridors also have a number of recommended improvements. These improvements include; signage changes; signal timing changes; installation of additional signal heads and other improvements related to vehicle and pedestrian movements along these corridors.

iv) Off-Road Collisions Review $156,000

A review of geometric features, collisions characteristics, and human factors was conducted at each study location to identify potential causes and contributing factors to the risk of off-road collisions. The review identifies six locations and recommends potential mitigation measures. The locations included:

1. Cambie St., between 33rd and 37th Ave.;

2. S.E. Marine Dr. eastbound approaching the Elliot St. intersection;
3. Water St., between Columbia and Richards St.;
4. Boundary Rd. southbound between the overpasses north of Marine Way;
5. Alma St. / Dunbar Diversion, next to Almond Park; and
6. Alma St. and Point Grey Rd. intersection.

Mitigation measures recommended for the six locations range from signage upgrades to anti-skid pavement treatment. These measures will help drivers to anticipate horizontal and vertical changes in road alignment, and increase the skid resistance of the pavement surface, thus reducing the risks of off-road collisions.

iv) Marine Drive at Cambie - Accident Reduction Strategy $150,000

There are two components to addressing the accident problem at the intersection while at the same time preserving capacity.

1. Signals Modifications to reduce collisions

Eastbound to northbound left turns are permitted only during the left turn phase, and so, left turns are prohibited once the westbound movement is permitted.

2. Adjusting the existing eastbound lane allocations

In order to accomplish the signal changes described in component 1, the existing shared left turn/through lane has been converted to a left-turn only lane (thus creating 2 dedicated left turn lanes) and leaving only 2 eastbound through lanes.

vi) Additional Projects $58,000

ICBC has agreed to provide funding to go towards the following projects:

- Stop Sign Infills $50,000

The Dunbar, Kensington Cedar Cottage, and Sunset Communities have been identified for stop sign infills.

- High Intensity Diamond Grade Signs $8,000

The increased reflectivity of the diamond grade stops signs will assist motorists with the visibility of the stops and help reduce the risk of collisions.

- Fluorescent-Lime-Yellow School Area signs

Staff are currently working to develop a program to retrofit existing school zone signs in the City to the new fluorescent-lime-yellow colour. The increased reflectivity of these signs will help to enhance driver awareness when entering a school area.

Summary of Funding