|
CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
June 1, 2004 | |
Author: |
Peter Stary | |
Phone No.: |
871-6437 | |
RTS No.: |
4343 | |
CC File No.: |
5808 | |
Meeting Date: |
July 6, 2004 |
TO: |
Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic |
FROM: |
General Manager of Engineering Services |
SUBJECT: |
Pedestrian Enhancements for School Crosswalks, 2004 Program |
RECOMMENDATION
A. That Council approve the construction of pedestrian corner bulges on:
· E 49th Avenue at Lancaster Street
· E 57th Avenue at Fleming Street
· W 10th Avenue at Carnarvon Street
· Dundas Street at Slocan Street
· W King Edward Avenue at Brackenridge Street (north side only)
· W King Edward Avenue at Trafalgar Street (south side only)
B. THAT funding of $125,000 be provided from the Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account Group CB2EA5AX1 - Local Area Traffic Plans and Other Improvements (order # 30006990).
COUNCIL POLICY
The Vancouver Transportation Plan emphasizes the need to provide more comfortable pedestrian environments.
On June 5, 2001, Council passed a motion that staff be encouraged to accelerate the installation of various methods for improving pedestrian crossings.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to seek Council=s approval to construct curb bulges at six existing school crosswalks.
BACKGROUND
Curb bulges are used on arterial streets with full time on-street parking as a means of improving the pedestrian environment. Curb bulges have been constructed at seventeen school crosswalks since the fall of 2000. Almost all of the responses received to date from both schools and the public have been favourable. A concern raised was that bulges could create an area of friction between cyclists and motorists. To address this concern all proposed bulges on arterial streets are designed to provide traffic lanes no less than 4.3 m wide, appropriate for bicycle/motor vehicle lane sharing.
Curb bulges improve crossing conditions for pedestrians by:
$ increasing pedestrian visibility;
$ increasing pedestrians= sight distance;
$ reducing pedestrian crossing distance;
$ preventing parking too close to a crosswalk.
DISCUSSION
The six proposed curb bulge locations are at well-used school crosswalks. These locations have been identified by Engineering Services staff in consultation with the School Traffic Working Group, comprised of staff members from the Vancouver School Board, the Vancouver Police Department and Engineering Services. The principals of the schools involved have been consulted and support these proposals.
1. E 49th Ave. at Lancaster St. (Killarney High School) This crosswalk is located at a "T" intersection. It is heavily used by Killarney High School students as well as other members of the community travelling to and from Killarney Park and Community Centre. Bulges would shorten the crossing distance and prevent illegal passing on the right, which has been identified as a concern here.
2. E 57th Ave. at Fleming St. (Douglas Elementary School) This crosswalk serves a recently added portion of the Douglas School catchment area. It has been observed to be used both by Douglas students and other members of the community. Bulges would improve pedestrian visibility and prevent illegal passing on the right.
3. W 10th Ave. at Carnavon St. (Carnarvon and Gordon Elementary Schools) This crosswalk is located on a catchment area boundary between two schools; however, significant numbers of students as well as other community members continue to cross here. 10th Avenue is a relatively narrow, busy street lined with tall street trees. Bulges have recently been installed at two other crosswalks on this stretch of 10th Ave. Bulges would improve pedestrian visibility and eliminate parking violations.
4. Dundas St. at Slocan St. (Hastings Elementary School) While not as well used by students as the Special Crosswalk located a block west at Penticton St., this crosswalk serves a significant number of students as well as others walking to and from both the corner store located at this intersection and the Hastings shopping district. Bulges would improve pedestrians' visibility and sight distance and eliminate parking violations.
5. W King Edward Ave. at Brackenridge St. (Trafalgar Elementary School) This crosswalk serves not only Trafalgar students but also some Prince of Wales High School students local transit users. There is a wide median on King Edward that allows pedestrians to cross one direction of traffic at a time. A bulge is recommended on the north side of King Edward only, where pedestrians' visibility and sight distance can be affected by parked cars. A bulge on the south side of King Edward would interfere with the existing bus stop and would not substantially improve visibility.
6. W King Edward Ave. at Trafalgar St. (Trafalgar Elementary School) This crosswalk serves Trafalgar students as well as local transit users. There is a wide median on King Edward that allows pedestrians to cross one direction of traffic at a time. A bulge is recommended on the south side of King Edward only, where pedestrians' visibility and sight distance can be affected by parked cars. A bulge on the north side of King Edward would interfere with the existing bus stop and would not substantially improve visibility.
No vehicle movements will be prohibited at any of these locations. However, at some locations vehicles may be prevented from passing on the right while other vehicles are turning left or stopped for pedestrians. All curb bulges and medians will leave a travel lane at least 4.3 metres (14 feet) wide, suitable for bicycle/motor vehicle lane sharing, for each direction of travel. Curb bulges will be located within existing by-law clearances; therefore, no legal parking spaces will be displaced.
The proposed curb bulges address two of the recommendations of the Vancouver Transportation Plan:
$ R5 - small changes to improve pedestrian environments; and
$ NP8 - improve pedestrian spaces.
They also address a recommendation contained in a 1999 Vancouver School Board report entitled Traffic Safety Around Vancouver Schools which supports Adeveloping and implementing innovative engineering measures such as corner bulges, speed humps and painted clearance panels in cooperation with individual schools.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The total cost of installing the curb bulges as described above is estimated at $125,000. It is recommended that funding for this project be provided from the Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account Group CB2EA5AX1 - Local Area Traffic Plans and Other Improvements (order # 30006990). Curb bulges will be finished in concrete and turf to match existing sidewalks and boulevards; therefore, there should be no extraordinary maintenance costs.
CONCLUSION
Curb bulges have been identified as effective, relatively low cost means to enhance the pedestrian environment, and are therefore recommended for installation at the locations noted above. It is anticipated that additional school crosswalk safety enhancements will be identified and recommended in subsequent years.
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