ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: September 3, 2003
Author/Local: W. Chou/7913
RTS No.: 03396
CC File No. 5761
Meeting Date: September 16, 2003
TO: |
Vancouver City Council |
FROM: |
General Manager of Engineering Services |
SUBJECT: |
2003 Traffic Signal Program Report Back - 33rd Avenue & Dunbar |
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT a Special Crosswalk be approved for the intersection of Dunbar Street & 33rd Avenue with funding of $40,000 provided in the 2003 Streets Basic Capital Budget, submissions A-3a: New Pedestrian and Vehicle Signals.
B. THAT additional annual costs of $2,000 related to ongoing maintenance of the Special Crosswalk be reflected in future Operating Budgets, subject to the 2004 budget review process.
C. THAT staff continue to review safety conditions at Dunbar & 33rd, and report back further necessary enhancements as part of the Dunbar Community Visions Process and the review of City collector streets.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council approved funding levels which provides for traffic signal installations as part of the 2003-2005 Streets Capital Plan.
On May 27, 1997, Council approved the Vancouver Transportation Plan which emphasizes the need for improved pedestrian facilities.
INTRODUCTION
During the presentation of the 2003 Traffic Signal Program, at the May 13th Transportation and Traffic Meeting, members of the Dunbar residents' group called NetCalm addressed Council with concerns regarding the intersection of Dunbar Street & 33rd Avenue and requested that a pedestrian signal be installed to enhance the existing crossing. As a result, Council passed the motion: "That following community consultation, staff be instructed to report back to Council, as expeditiously as possible, and no later than September 16, 2003, with recommendations on a pedestrian signal, traffic signal or traffic calming options for the intersection at Dunbar Street at 33rd Avenue."
DISCUSSION
The intersection of Dunbar & 33rd Avenue is located at the south-east corner of Memorial Park West and the Dunbar Community Centre. Currently, there is a marked and signed pedestrian crosswalk across the north leg of Dunbar.
On January 13th, 2003, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and killed while crossing 33rd at the intersection of Dunbar. Due to residents' concerns regarding pedestrian safety at this location, the Dunbar Community Centre hosted a public meeting on February 25th. The focus on the meeting was to provide residents with an opportunity to voice their comments and concerns regarding pedestrian and traffic safety issues around the park and community centre. Staff attended the meeting as a resource to answer questions and obtain feedback from residents.
Based on the feedback received at the community meeting, staff have implemented a number of measures to help enhance pedestrian conditions around the Dunbar Community Centre and the intersection of Dunbar & 33rd. These measures included:
· reducing the speed limit on 33rd Avenue along Memorial West Park from 50 to 30 km/h;
· installing additional speed limit signs around the park;
· installing additional playground signs and relocating existing signs to enhance motorists' awareness of the playground; and
· installing extended parking clearances to increase motorists' visibility of pedestrians crossing Dunbar at 33rd Avenue.
Speed humps have also been installed on 31st Avenue between Dunbar and Wallace Streets, as part of the City's Traffic Calming Program. In addition, staff assisted the Community Policing Office in their efforts to help educate residents in the area regarding pedestrian and traffic safety, prior to its closing.
In response to the high level of interest at Dunbar & 33rd, staff have completed a series of detailed pedestrian safety studies at this location. These included reviews of pedestrian and traffic volumes and movements; frequency of gaps in traffic to allow pedestrian to cross Dunbar; driver speeds and courtesy; adjacent pedestrian facilities; and visibility.
Observations taken during the studies show that pedestrian volumes are relatively low and there are sufficient gaps in traffic to allow pedestrians to cross Dunbar without much delay. The signal at Dunbar & 31st also provides additional gaps in traffic and is well used by pedestrians accessing the park and community centre. Visibility at the intersection was also noted as good, as Dunbar is a straight roadway.
At this time, Dunbar & 33rd Avenue does not rank within the top priority locations in the City for a new pedestrian signal. However, there are concerns that some motorists are inattentive and fail to yield to pedestrians at the crosswalk.
Therefore, staff recommend that Council approve the installation of a Special Crosswalk at Dunbar & 33rd Avenue. A Special Crosswalk, as shown in Appendix A, includes overhead internally illuminated pedestrian crosswalk signs, pedestrian-controlled flashing amber beacons, additional down-lighting on the crosswalk area, zebra pavement markings, and additional pedestrian crossing warning signs. This device will help to increase motorists' awareness of pedestrians at the crossing. In addition, studies conducted by staff have shown that Special Crosswalks are most suitable for crossings similar to Dunbar & 33rd, where there is only one lane of through traffic in each direction and traffic volumes are moderate.
Staff have consulted with the NetCalm residents' group who have shown full support for the proposed Special Crosswalk. Attached in Appendix B, is a letter from NetCalm indicating their support.
33rd Avenue has also been identified as a street to be re-designated from a secondary arterial to a collector, as part of the City's Transportation Plan. This will include a public consultation process to develop a traffic calming strategy along this portion of 33rd Avenue. Furthermore, this portion of Dunbar will be considered as part of the
Community Visions, Neighbourhood Centre Program, which will include the development of a Public Realm and Pedestrian/Traffic Management Plan. Staff will continue to monitor the intersection of Dunbar & 33rd Avenue in conjunction with these programs.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The total cost for the proposed Special Crosswalk is estimated at $40,000. Funding can be provided from the 2003 Streets Basic Capital Budget, submissions A-3a: New Pedestrian and Vehicle Signals.
Future Operating Budgets will be affected by increases in maintenance costs associated with the addition of new signals, signage, road markings, and increased energy consumption. For this increase, costs of $2,000 will be incurred in future Operating Budgets. This increase will be subject to budget review in 2004.
CONCLUSION
Following the May 13, 2003, Transportation and Traffic meeting, staff have completed a series of detailed pedestrian safety studies at the intersection of Dunbar & 33rd Avenue. As a result, it is recommended that a Special Crosswalk be installed to increase motorists' awareness to pedestrians crossing at this location.
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APPENDIX A
Typical "Special Crosswalk" installation
APPENDIX B
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