ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: June 26, 2001
Author/Local: S. Edwards/7336

RTS No. 1081

CC File No. 5757

T&T: July 10, 2001

TO:	Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	South Kerrisdale Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plan - Follow up

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council approve the installation of speed humps on the 6500 and 6600 block of Yew Street; and the 7500 and 7600 block of Arbutus with funding of $25,000 provided from the South Kerrisdale traffic calming plan - (Account No's. 10000983 and 10000985).

B. THAT, commencing in 2003, the following budget be increased, without offset, as listed:

$800 - Traffic Operations Budget; for maintenance of signs, and paint markings for traffic calming measures as described in this report.

POLICY

On May 28, 1998 Council approved the South Kerrisdale Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plan.

On May 27, 1997, Council approved the Vancouver Transportation Plan which emphasizes the need to mitigate the effects of traffic on local neighbourhood streets.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for street modifications proposed as part of follow-up studies completed in the South Kerrisdale Neighbourhood.

BACKGROUND

On May 28 ,1998, Council approved the South Kerrisdale Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plan. This plan was developed by area residents in conjunction with City staff following extensive consultation and reviews beginning in 1995.

Neighbourhood awareness of transportation issues was heightened through the development of the plan. Open Houses for the community and meetings involving the residents committee assisted City staff in identifying problem areas. Traffic studies then allowed these concerns to be reviewed and quantified.

Upon receiving Council approval, construction of the many measures was completed in early 1999 and follow up traffic assessments were initiated.

The plan approved by Council included a number of measures installed on a permanent basis (traffic circles, and corner bulges) and temporary measures (bulges on Yew Street). Follow-up studies to assess the effectiveness of the bulges on Yew Street were initiated after allowing motorists to familiarize themselves with the bulges. Additional data was collected throughout the neighbourhood also. These studies have led to the recommendation included in this report.

DISCUSSION

The South Kerrisdale Neighbourhood is bounded, roughly, by the following streets: 49th Avenue to the North, Southwest Marine Drive on the Southwest, and West Boulevard to the west (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: South Kerrisdale Neighbourhood

The south Kerrisdale Plan was initiated in the community in hopes that the impacts from shortcutting vehicles could be addressed. A number of measures were proposed which allowed access but placed a priority on pedestrian movements and reducing the speed at which vehicles accessed the neighbourhood from the major streets on the area boundary. The approved plan included a number of mid-block and corner bulges, stop sign infill, and the "squaring off" of several intersections. These measures have, for the most part, addressed the original concerns as outlined by the residents and the steering committee. To confirm the effectiveness of the measures before and after data was collected.

Manual and automatic traffic counts were completed at locations throughout the neighbourhood. This data was compared to previous counts to ensure that individual streets were not significantly affected by any of the measures introduced. Radar speed checks were also completed at selected locations. The speed data collected was prioritized using similar methods to those used for our Annual Speed Hump Program. This prioritization method allowed us to identify two street segments that remained as needing additional traffic calming measures. These street segments are as follows:

1. Arbutus Street between 59th Avenue and 61st Avenue; and

2. Yew Street between 49th Avenue and 51st Avenue.

After identifying these locations as needing additional traffic calming, speed humps were proposed for the two locations. Designs and cost estimates have been prepared and these portions of the streets have been surveyed for approval and comments. The survey and response rate is discussed in more detail below.

The entire neighbourhood was provided with a summary letter (Appendix A) which provided information relating to the project, the data collection, and the two street segments being reviewed for further traffic calming. Questions and comments arising from the neighbourhood are noted in item 3 below.

1. Arbutus Street

Residents living on the 7500 and 7600 blocks of Arbutus Street were surveyed (see Appendix B) with regard to the potential installation of speed humps on these two blocks. This portion of Arbutus links McKechnie Elementary School and playground facilities located on the other side of Arbutus Street. It should be noted that comments received from the school indicate that they are very much in favour of the installation of speed humps in order to slow traffic.

Figure 2: Arbutus Street - 7500 - 7600 Blocks

This two block section of Arbutus is occupied primarily by the school and playground and therefore, there was a limited distribution of surveys. The responses are noted in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1: Arbutus Survey - 7500 and 7600 Blocks
Distribution	9 addresses (including McKechnie School)
Responses received	5
"FOR"	3
"AGAINST"	2

Note: As with all speed hump surveys, a 30% response rate, with a 60% approval rate is required. The proposed humps meet this standard.

2. Yew Street

This two block section of Yew between 49th Avenue and 51st Avenue provides direct access to Maple Grove Park. As part of the initial South Kerrisdale Plan, temporary off-set bulges were approved and installed. The effectiveness of this traffic calming measure has been limited, and so an alternative was sought. Speed humps have been proposed for this portion of Yew Street and would complement speed humps installed between 51st and Southwest Marine Drive to the south. See Figure 3 for an area map.

A survey was delivered to residents living on these two blocks to seek comments and approval rate regarding the potential installation of speed humps. The responses are noted in Table 2 below, and these also meet the required standard.

TABLE 2: Yew Street Survey - 6500 and 6600 Blocks
Distribution	26 addresses
Responses received	21
"FOR"	21
"AGAINST"	0

Figure 3: Yew Street- 6500 & 6600 Blocks

3. Additional Items

a. 51st & Yew - traffic circle

The South Kerrisdale Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Plan approved by Council included comments that staff improve the existing traffic circle at Yew Street and 51st Avenue. The intention was, without requiring a total reconstruction of the circle, to visually enlarge the circle in an attempt to improve its effectiveness. A number of ideas have been considered but issues such as safety and maintenance have prevented implementing these ideas. With the installation of speed humps in the blocks north and south of this intersection it is recommended that, in the short term, this item nolonger be pursued. The circle will be monitored once the speed humps are in place, and if further control is required, a larger circle will be presented for consideration.

b. 49th & West Boulevard - lane configuration

Staff have reviewed comments received relating to the existing lane configuration and have added signage to improve driver information. Additional alterations have been evaluated but do not appear to be necessary at this time.

c. Additional follow-up items

If approved, the speed humps on Arbutus Street may have a beneficial effect on traffic patterns further North on Arbutus. Therefore, after these humps have been installed and while both UBC and local schools are in session, it is recommended that additional counts be conducted along Arbutus Street. Of particular interest are the portions between 51st Avenue to 53rd Avenue; 54th to 57th Avenues; and 57th to 59th Avenues.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The estimated capital cost for these additional measures to be included as part of the South Kerrisdale Traffic Calming Plan is $25,000. Funding is available in the existing South Kerrisdale Traffic Calming Plan Accounts 10000983 and 10000985. This cost includes construction of the traffic calming measures, and related signage, road markings, and any additional data collection and counts.

The estimated annual maintenance cost for the traffic calming measures proposed as part of the South Kerrisdale Plan is $800, without offset. This includes maintenance of safety measures and landscaping on the large boulevard areas, signage, and landscaping in three traffic circles.

CONCLUSION

Based on the support from within the community, it is recommended that follow-up measures for the South Kerrisdale Traffic Calming Plan be approved as detailed in this report.

LINK TO APPENDIX A

LINK TO APPENDIX B

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver