TO:

Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT:

2002 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 the remaining one-third of the money approved in the three year Capital Plan. The 2002 Traffic Signal Program is recommended as follows:

A) Pedestrian-Actuated Signals $693,000

B) Full Signals $35,000

C) Special Crosswalks $60,000

D) Signal Modifications $375,000

TOTAL 2002 PROGRAM $1,163,000

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 ten of the eleven recommended signals are pedestrian-actuated signals, three of which will assist school children. 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, two 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 Signal

C) Special Crosswalks $60,000

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 2002 Traffic Signal Program, at a cost of $1,163,000, represents the remaining one-third of the money approved in the 2000-2002 Streets Capital Plan. It is recommended that Council approve this funding in advance of the 2002 Engineering Basic Capital Budget, which will be submitted shortly. However, it is important to gain early approval of this program so that materials can be ordered, and work completed in time for upcoming deadlines, such as the opening of school in September.

Future Operating Budgets will be affected by increases in maintenance costs associated with the addition of new signals, 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 $33,500 will be incurred in future Operating Budgets. These increases will be subject to budget review in 2003.

* * * * *


APPENDIX A

Locations for Further Review

1) 41st Avenue at Gladstone Street

2) Granville Street at 65th and 66th Avenues

3) Arbutus Street at 10th & 11th Avenue

4) Nanaimo Street at 6th Avenue

5) Fraser Street at 14th Avenue

6) Renfrew Street at East Georgia Street


7) Commercial Drive & 10th Avenue

8) Joyce Street & 29th Avenue

APPENDIX A (Continued)

Further Locations To Be Reviewed In 2002-2003

(* Locations Adjacent To Signals)

 

10th Ave. @ Balaclava St.
12th @ Pr. Albert
41st Ave. @ Killarney St.*
Arbutus St. @ 10th Ave.*
Arbutus St. between 16th & 25th Ave.

Arbutus @ 14th
Blenheim @ 33rd
Broughton @ Georgia
Burrard @ Barclay*
Fraser @ 61st Ave.
Gore @ Union *
Granville @ 6th *
Granville @ 65th*
Hudson @ 73rd
Jackson @ Hastings*
Joyce @ Wellington*
King Edward @ Valley
McGill @ Slocan St.*
Main @ 20th*

Main @ 46th
Main @ 48th Ave.*

Nanaimo @ 29th
Nanaimo @ 27th
Nanaimo @ 54th
Ontario @ 33rd

Slocan @ 22nd
Thurlow @ Barclay*
Victoria @ Stainsbury Ave.*

West Blvd. @ 57th
Union @ Raymur
Renfrew @ 15th

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:

Inverness & 41th Avenue New signal underway Inverness Bikeway
Inverness & 49th Avenue New signal underway Inverness Bikeway
Inverness & SE Marine New signal underway Inverness Bikeway
12th Avenue & Windsor Upgrade underway Windsor Bikeway
41st Avenue & Windsor Upgrade underway Windsor Bikeway
Broadway & Glen Upgrade underway Windsor Bikeway

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.

10th Avenue & Arbutus New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
10th Avenue & Burrard New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
10th Avenue & Clark New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
10th Avenue & Commercial New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
10th Avenue & Fir New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
10th Avenue & Hemlock New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
10th Avenue & Knight New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
10th Avenue & Oak New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
12th Avenue & Trafalgar New signal proposed 10th Avenue Bikeway
Alberni & Denman New signal proposed Alberni Bikeway
Ontario & Marine Drive New signal proposed Kent Avenue Bikeway
Rupert north of B.N. RLY New signal proposed Greenway/Skytrain
Renfrew @ Hebb/12th New signal proposed Greenway/Skytrain
Victoria & Hastings Upgrade proposed Victoria/Pender Traffic Calming

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:

Grandview Hwy/Skeena New signal approved Costco Site development
Burrard Street/5th Avenue New signal recommended 5th Avenue Cinemas
Great N Way/Brunswick New signal recommended Francis Xavier development
Oak Street/10th Avenue New signal to be monitored VGH development
Hastings Street/Jervis New signal recommended Marathon Developments

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.

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)
49th/Tyne - WB to SB (new arrow)
Kerr/49th - NB to WB (new arrow)
Main/Marine - WB to SB (new arrow)
Fraser/Marine - WB to SB (new arrow)
Cambie/King Edward - All directions (new arrows)
Main/King Edward - All directions (new arrows)
Broadway/Alma - WB to SB (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

approved

49th & Tyne

1. install left turn arrow WB to SB

under review

Hastings & Granville

2. install left turn arrow WB to SB
3. 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