TO:

Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT:

2001 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 approximately one-third of the money approved in the three year Capital Plan. The 2001 Traffic Signal Program is recommended as follows:

A) Pedestrian-Actuated Signals $549,000

B) Full Signals $85,500

C) Special Crosswalks $112,000

D) Signal Modifications $375,000

TOTAL 2001 PROGRAM $1,121,500

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 nine of the ten recommended signals are pedestrian-actuated signals, three 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, five Special Crosswalks are recommended as part of this year's program, as there has been an increased need for improvements to pedestrian facilities throughout the City. This device 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 $112,000

D) Signal Modifications

OTHER SIGNAL INSTALLATIONS

Signal installation and modifications may also be initiated through other programs or agencies. Appendix B 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 public processes of the Greenways and Bikeway projects are completed. Included in Appendix D is a list of signal installations and modifications requested for transit operations and their status of completion.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The 2001 Traffic Signal Program cost is a total of $1,121,500 represents approximately one-third of the money approved in the 2000-2002 Streets Capital Plan. On May 10, 2001,Council approved $1,121,500 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, costs of $38,500 without offset will need to be funded in future Operating Budgets as these devices are installed.

* * * * *

APPENDIX A

Locations for Further Review

1) Macdonald Street & 8th Avenue

2) 12th Avenue & Trafalgar Street

3) 10th Avenue & Trutch Street

4) 10th Avenue & Tolmie Street

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

6) West Georgia Street & Nicola Street

7) Burrard Street & 5th Avenue

8) Kingsway & 10th Avenue


9) Broadway & Pine

10) 41st Avenue & Vine

11) 4th Avenue & Pine


12) Commercial Drive & 4th Avenue

APPENDIX A (Continued)

Further Locations To Be Reviewed In 2001-2002

(* Locations Adjacent To Signals)

10th Ave. @ Balaclava St.
16th Ave. @ Manitoba St.
41st Ave. @ Gladstone
41st Ave. @ Inverness St.
41st Ave. @ Killarney St.*

49st Ave. @ Arlington St.*

57th Ave. @ Inverness St.
Arbutus St. @ 11th Ave.*

Burrard St. @ Cordova St.*

Dunbar St. @ 29th Ave.*

Fraser St. @ 28th Ave.
Fraser St. @ 44th Ave.*

Fraser St. @ 48th Ave.*

Fraser St. @ 50th Ave.*

Fraser St. @ 53rd Ave.
Fraser St. @ 61st Ave.

Hastings St. @ Semlin St.*
Hastings St. @ Woodland Dr.*
McGill St. @ Slocan St.*
Main St. @ 48th Ave.*
Victoria Dr. @ Stainsbury Ave.*
Argyle @ Marine (south leg)*
Blenheim @ 33rd
Broughton @ Georgia
Cambie @ 8th
Dunbar @ 33rd
Gore @ Union *
Glen @ Hastings (pedestrian)
Granville @ 6th *
Homer @ Helmcken *
Hudson @ Marine
Jackson @ Hastings*
Joyce @ Wellington*
Joyce @ 29th *
Nanaimo @ 29th
Nanaimo @ 49th
Nanaimo @ 54th
Oak @ 6th
Ontario @ 33rd
Prince Edward @ 41st Avenue
Ross @ 57th
Slocan @ 22nd
West Blvd. @ 57th
Willow @ 41st (pedestrian)*
Wolfe @ 16th
Windsor St. @ 33rd Ave.
Fraser St. @ 26th Ave.*
Fraser St. @ 14th Ave.
Kingsway @ Inverness*
Kingsway @ Perry*
Knight @ 35th Ave.

APPENDIX B
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:

Clark & 15th Avenue Upgrade completed Mosaic Bikeway
Venables & McLean New signal completed Mosaic Bikeway
Commercial & 14th New signal completed Mosaic Bikeway
Discovery & 10th Avenue New signal completed 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.

Arbutus & 10th Avenue New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
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
Inverness & 41th Avenue New signal proposed Inverness Bikeway
Inverness & 49th Avenue New signal proposed Inverness Bikeway
Inverness & SE Marine New signal proposed Inverness 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:

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 Street/10th Avenue New signal to be monitored VGH development
Pender/Broughton Streets New signal recommended Marathon Developments Inc.

APPENDIX C

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.

Granville at 70th - NB to WB and SB to EB (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)
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)
Joyce/Vanness - SB to EB (new arrow)
49th/Tyne - WB to SG (new arrow)
Kerr/49th - NB to WB (advanced left turn)
Main/Marine - WB to SB (new arrow)
Fraser/Marine - WB to SB (new arrow)
Cambie/King Edward - All directions (new arrows)

APPENDIX D

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 enhancing 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
Broadway & Commercial
1. install left turn arrow EB to NB

approved
Joyce & Vanness
1. Install left turn arrow SB to EB
recommended
Nanaimo & Dundas
1. install left turn detection EB to NB
recommended
49th & Tyne
1. install left turn arrow WB to SB
under review
Cordova & Richards
2. install right turn arrow EB to SB
3. geometric changes to the intersection including bulges

under review
Hastings & Granville
4. install left turn arrow WB to SB
5. install right turn arrow NB to EB

under review
Kerr & 49th
1. install left turn advance arrow NB to WB
under review
Wellington & Rupert
1. bus actuation at the existing pedestrian signal

under review

APPENDIX E

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