SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2
VTC AGENDA
APRIL 18, 1996
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: April 2, 1996
Dept. File No.307 758
TO: Vancouver Traffic Commission
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Pedestrian Crossing Conditions on
49th Avenue at Doman Street
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT a pedestrian signal not be installed at the intersection
of Doman and 49th at this time, but that it be reviewed for
possible inclusion in the 1997 Traffic Signal Program.
Should Council wish to proceed with a signal at this location, the
following motion is submitted for
CONSIDERATION
B. THAT a pedestrian signal be installed at Doman and 49th, at a
total cost of $70,000, with funds allocated from the deferred
signal installation at Begg and Terminal ($52,000) and the
reallocation of funding from the 1996 Traffic Signal Program
(Signal Modification, Left-Turn Phasing, $18,000).
THE GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manger of Engineering Services RECOMMENDS approval of
A.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council approves traffic signal installations.
Council's transportation policy places the highest priority on
pedestrians, bicycles and transit.
BACKGROUND
Doman and 49th has been reviewed for a pedestrian signal several times
over the past few years. A signal has not been recommended because
pedestrian volumes are low and there are frequent crossing
opportunities.A bus and pedestrian actuated signal had been considered
for installation to better service the transit route on Doman Street.
Funding for this proposed signal was to be provided by B.C. Transit as
it would have allowed their buses easier access in turning from Doman
Street to 49th Avenue. In June of 1995, BC Transit relocated the bus
route from Doman to Tyne Street and this has reduced the need for a
signal at Doman.
Additional information on the history of this location has been
presented in Appendix A.
ANALYSIS
- 2 -
Engineering staff have visited this location a number of times in the
past 5 years.
- there is one eastbound and one westbound traffic lane on 49th
Avenue;
- Street lighting and visibility are good;
- one pedestrian accident has been reported in the past five years
(Spring, 1995);
- pedestrian volumes are low (approx. five per hour);
- frequent gaps are present in the traffic flow;
- traffic volumes on 49th have remained constant since 1990;
- there has been little development in the area;
- signal timings have been adjusted to optimize the number of
crossing opportunities for pedestrians;
- Doman and 49th is the area boundary for three area elementary
schools. Therefore, this intersection is not on a designated
school route.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Should Council approve the installation of a pedestrian-actuated signal
at Doman Street and 49th Avenue, funds would be required in the amount
of $70,000. Funds totalling $52,000 are available from the deferred
signal installation at Begg Street and Terminal Avenue. Additional
funds of $18,000 could be obtained through a re-allocation of funds
approved in the 1996 Traffic Signal Program (Signal Modifications,
Left-Turn Phasing).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the installation of a pedestrian signal at Doman Street
and 49th Avenue is not supported by staff. Doman Street and 49th
Avenue is a suitable candidate for future signalization; however, staff
have to review and prioritize many locations and recommend those that
will provide the greatest safety benefit. There are many other
locations, including school crossings, with a greater need for a
signal. The recent 1996 Annual Traffic Signal Program indicated many
locations that would have greater benefit from a pedestrian signal.
Ten of these locations are listed in Appendix B.
* * * * * APPENDIX A
HISTORY
Prior to 1995
Previous requests for a pedestrian signal and Engineering
reviewed this location 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995.
Requests were primarily from B.C. Transit and related to
transit drivers having difficulty turning onto 49th from
Doman Street.
Requests from residents area residents had begun in 1989.
Mr. Scaiano has been in contact with Engineering since 1992
and originated one of the petitions received by Council.
From late 1992 to present, signal timings at Kerr/49th and
Tyne/49th have been reviewed and adjusted to allow better
"platooning" of vehicles and therefore create longer gaps in
traffic. This work had been completed primarily based on
requests from B.C. Transit. A secondary benefit was the
improvement of the existing conditions for pedestrians
crossing 49th Avenue.
January 1995
Staff re-examined this location allowing for increased time
necessary for buses turning and to allow pedestrians a more
"comfortable" gap in traffic for crossing 49th.
January 26, 1995
Pedestrian accident - pedestrian struck by westbound vehicle
on the west side of the intersection.
March 9, 1995
Vancouver Traffic Commission received a report recommending
approval of a Bus and Pedestrian actuated signal at Doman
Street and 49th Avenue. Funding was to be provided by B.C.
Transit as this signal was primarily to service transit
buses turning from Doman onto 49th Avenue.
Traffic Commission recommended that the bus service be re-
routed to Tyne street. Funding from B.C. Transit for the
signal was no longer available.
May 19, 1995
City Clerk receives a petition originated by Mr. Martindale
asking for a signal at Doman and 49th Avenue.
.../2- 2 -
June 29, 1995
City Clerk received a petition originated by Mr. Scaiano,
again asking for a pedestrian activated signal at Doman
Street and 49th Avenue.
June 1995
B.C. Transit bus service (route #26) was re-routed to Tyne
Street from Doman Street.
Transit users within the neighbourhood now use the bus
service on Tyne and can take advantage of the existing
signal at Tyne and 49th Avenue.
October 1995
Engineering revisits the area after allowing area residents
to familiarize themselves with the new transit route, and
changes to pedestrian and vehicle movements in the
neighbourhood.
March 14, 1996
The 1996 Annual Traffic Signal Report was presented to
Vancouver Traffic Commission. The intersection of Doman &
49th was not recommended for signalization at this time.
Traffic Commission asked Engineering staff to investigate
further the possibility of installing a pedestrian actuated
signal at Doman and 49th Avenue and report back.
Other Information
Amenities in area
Champlain Mall - 54th @ Kerr
London Drugs - Kingsway @ Wessex
Churches - Kerr @ 49th and Kerr @ 48th
Salvation Army - Tyne @ 49th
Killarney High School/Community Centre - 49th @ Killarney
Cook Elementary School - serves area residents south of 49th
Weir Elementary School - serves residents north-west of
intersection
MacCorkindale Elementary School - serves residents north-
east of intersection
Existing Traffic Controls
Vehicle signals located at:
49th @ Kerr
49th @ Tyne
POTENTIAL FUTURE SIGNAL LOCATIONS APPENDIX B
Location # lanes Comments
(total)
2nd @ Crowe 5 - high volume of cars and trucks
- overhead signage is to be
installed
16th @ Balaclava 2 - Carnarvon Elementary School
- recommended location by
Vancouver Police School Safety
Patrol
41st @ MacKenzie 3 - Kerrisdale Elementary School
- large volume of pedestrians
utilizing transit
Boundary @ 45th 4 - Swangard Stadium
- Central Park
- high volumes of vehicular
traffic
Carrall @ Powell - 5 leg intersection
- high pedestrian volumes
Commercial @ Findlay 3 - previously recommended by
Vancouver Police School Safety
Patrol
- local area planning and rezoning
being considered here.
- commercial trucks and short
cutting are also an issue
Grandview @ Woodland 2 - truck route
- recommended location by
Vancouver Police School Safety
Patrol
- Grandview Elementary School
- 5 leg intersection
- possible future bike route
Hemlock @ 13th /14th 4 - adjacent to busy commercial area
on Granville Street
- large volume of vehicles
(particulary during peak
periods)
- residential area with increasing
density
- possible future bike route
West Boulevard @ 45th
2 - large volume of pedestrians
- two schools in area, Maple Grove
Elementary and Magee High
School.