SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 3
T & T COMMITTEE AGENDA
FEBRUARY 5, 1997
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: January 7, 1997
Dept. File No. 4051
CC File: 5757-1/8024
TO: Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Ontario Bikeway/Langara Area Traffic Calming
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT three traffic circles, a series of stop signs and four corner bulges, as detailed in
this report, be installed in the area bounded by 49th Avenue, 59th Avenue, Ontario Street
and Main Street, at a capital cost of $45,000 with funding available in accounts
14/02/5772/999, 14/02/5774/999, and 14/02/5777/999.
B. THAT the Streets maintenance budget be increased by $1500 without offset, for the
maintenance of the three traffic circles proposed in this design, starting in 1997.
C. THAT the Traffic Operations maintenance budget be increased by $300 without offset, for the
maintenance of the signs on the three traffic circles proposed in this design, starting in
1997.
COUNCIL POLICY
The Vancouver Comprehensive Bicycle Plan (1988) and the Clouds of Change Report (1990) established the City's
policy of promoting and encouraging cycling as a transportation alternative.
On May 14, 1992, Council approved a Citywide bicycle route network with priority given to local street
integration, and with the Ontario route identified as high priority.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to obtain approval for traffic calming measures related to the Ontario Bikeway
in the Langara College area. These measures include traffic circles and corner bulges on Ontario Street and
stop signs on Quebec Street.
BACKGROUND
After extensive public consultation in 1991 regarding bike route facilities, the option of enhanced
integration on local streets was the preferred option for encouraging more bicycling. On May 14, 1992,
Council approved the following recommendation:
"THAT the development of the first trial bike routes along local streets be based on the following
priorities:
- Adanac/Union Corridor
- Broadway Corridor
- Ontario Corridor
- Arbutus Corridor."
In pursuit of the foregoing bike routes, Engineering staff has worked closely with the Bicycle Advisory
Committee to Council and the Bicycle Network Subcommittee. Also, residents and cyclists have been encouraged
to participate through open houses and surveys. The Adanac, Off-Broadway, Ontario and Cypress Bikeways were
opened in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 respectively.
In 1995 the Ontario Bikeway was approved and built but a portion of the route, between 49th and 59th avenues,
was deferred. High traffic volumes and proposed changes to Langara College required that a comprehensive
neighbourhood traffic plan, including considerable consultation with Langara College and local residents, be
prepared. This consultation has taken place and a traffic plan is now being recommended.
RECOMMENDED ONTARIO BIKE ROUTE DESIGN-LANGARA PORTION
Traffic circles are recommended on Ontario Street at 52nd, 54th and 56th avenues to reduce the speed and
volume of traffic using Ontario as a shortcutting route between S.W. Marine, 59th, 57th and 49th avenues.
Alternating stop signs on Quebec between 49th and 57th are recommended to discourage traffic from using
Quebec as an alternate once Ontario is calmed. Four corner bulges are recommended to assist students of
Sexsmith School in crossing the Ontario and 59th intersection. These bulges will narrow the crossing
distance and choke the intersection, reducing speeds (Figure 1).
A traffic circle at Quebec/57th was included in the original proposal but was deleted because the loss of
parking was unacceptable to adjacent residents. Other measures to reduce speeds on this section of street
will be discussed with residents.
It is anticipated that, after the traffic calming is installed and traffic patterns have stabilized,
neighbourhood traffic volumes will drop. Current traffic volumes on Quebec Street are low due to the narrow
street width, parking on both sides, and difficult access to arterials. The existing conditions and proposed
stop signs will help ensure that Quebec does not experience an increase in traffic. If traffic volumes do
increase on Quebec, further measures could be implemented.
(a) Neighbourhood Compatibility
When the Ontario Bikeway was proposed in 1995 there were numerous requests from residents to reduce
traffic volumes and speeds on Ontario between 49th and 59th avenues. This portion of the bikeway was
deferred because changes were about to occur to the traffic patterns generated by Langara College and
the high volume of traffic required a more comprehensive traffic plan and public process.
The short term changes to the Langara College are complete, an open house for residents has been held
and two resident surveys have been done. The open house and first survey were used to gather input
from residents about their concerns and to discuss preliminary traffic calming proposals. The second
survey contained three options: Proposal A, a series of circles and stops signs; Proposal B, a full
closure and stop signs; or, Other , if residents did not endorse A or B (see Appendix A for a copy
of the survey). The circles and stop signs were favoured by the majority, and Other made up 9% of
the responses.
Total number of survey sent out: 500
Total number of responses: 160 (32% response rate)
In favour of Proposal A: 100(63%)
In favour of Proposal B: 45 (28%)
Other 15 (9%)
The comments included a few negative remarks regarding the bike route and any traffic calming but the
majority were in favour of both. Many of the comments recommended changes at 59th/Ontario to assist
students crossing at Sexsmith School. After reviewing the issue with the Police and School Safety
Committee, corner bulges have been added to the proposal. A summary of the comments can be found in
Appendix A.
A Langara area parking plan is being created to address Langara College s request for pay parking.
The recommendations in this report have taken this into account and are compatible with the plan.
Langara College and Sexsmith School were both consulted and both support the recommendations in this
report.
A review of the complete bikeway is anticipated in the summer of 1997 and residents will be asked to
make permanent the existing design or suggest modifications.
(b) Implementation
If approved, installation of the circles, bulges and stop signs will begin as soon as possible and
completion would be expected this spring. The circles will be installed in their permanent
configuration, including planting. A review of the whole bike route is planned for this summer and
if changes are required modifications could be done then.
(c) Maintenance
Elements of the Ontario Bikeway could be considered for maintenance levels above those of a normal
street. However, due to current budget constraints it is recommended that the bicycle route receive
the same level of service as would a normal street, at no additional cost. This may require refusing
some public requests for extraordinary maintenance levels.
The three proposed traffic circles would be landscaped to improve their aesthetics and visibility.
There will be an annual maintenance cost for repair, landscaping and signage of approximately $500
per traffic circle. It is not appropriate to offset these costs from other maintenance budgets;
therefore, the overall maintenance budget should be increased to accommodate the new traffic circles.
As an alternative, if resident volunteers can be encouraged to adopt the traffic circles and agree to
maintain them as per the City s traffic circle adoption program, then the costs may be reduced to
$100 per circle.
FUNDING
The cost to add traffic calming to this portion of the Ontario
Bikeway is as follows:
3 traffic circles $ 30,000
15 Stop signs $ 5,000
corner bulges $ 10,000
Total $ 45,000
In 1995 Council approved $337,000 for implementation of the
Ontario Bikeway. The cost to improve street lighting and upgrade
and install traffic signals for the project was less than
anticipated and $45,000 is available in the following accounts to
complete this portion of the bike route: 14/02/5772/999,
14/02/5774/999, and 14/02/5777/999.
BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND NETWORK SUBCOMMITTEE
The Network Subcommittee of the Bicycle Advisory Committee to
Council was involved in the design of this portion of the Ontario
Bikeway and has reviewed this report. The Committee would have
preferred a full closure (Proposal B) but feel the circles will
be a substantial improvement and supports this report.
As part of the review of the Ontario Bikeway, traffic volumes
will be assessed using the Local Integrated Bikeway Standards.
If this review indicates unacceptable volumes and/or speed
further changes may be proposed.
* * * * *
APPENDIX A
SURVEY AND COMMENTS
ONTARIO BIKEWAY/LANGARA AREA TRAFFIC PLAN
Summary of Survey Results up to October 31, 1996
Total number of survey sent out: 500
Total number of responses: 160 (160/500 = 32% response rate)
In favour of Proposal A: 100 (100/160 = 63%)
In favour of Proposal B: 45 ( 45/160 = 28%)
Other 15 ( 15/160 = 9%)
Responses within one block of proposed measure
Traffic Circle at 52nd/Ontario
Total number of responses: 11
In favour of Proposal A: 9 (82%)
In favour of Proposal B: 2 (18%)
Other 0
Traffic Circle at 54th/Ontario
Total number of responses: 14
In favour of Proposal A: 8 (57%)
In favour of Proposal B: 5 (36%)
Other 1 ( 7%)
Traffic Circle at 56th/Ontario
Total number of responses: 10
In favour of Proposal A: 5 (50%)
In favour of Proposal B: 2 (20%)
Other 3 (30%)
Traffic Circle at 57th/Quebec
Total number of responses: 14
In favour of Proposal A: 12 (86%)
In favour of Proposal B: 2 (14%)
Other 0
ONTARIO BIKEWAY/LANGARA AREA TRAFFIC PLAN
Summary of Survey Comments
Calm traffic at 59th/Ontario intersection to make the school crossing safer (~30% of all comments
included this request).
Reduce the amount of Langara students circulating through the neighbourhood and parking in front of
residences (~15% of comments).
Volumes may increase in lanes.
Speeding cars on Ontario a concern and either proposal may not solve problems.
Traffic avoiding Ontario may increase volumes through rest of neighbourhood.
One traffic circle would not be enough, please ensure all circles are installed.
Not enough cyclists to warrant changes.
Buses diverted from Main Street parade may have difficulties with circles.
Ease-west traffic on 57th should be restricted further, short cutters are a concern.
Block all traffic between Marine and 49th on Ontario.
Install traffic light at 59th/Main.
Install left turn bay at 57th/Main, too many near misses.
Reduce speed limits to 30 km in area.
Install traffic circle at 58th/Ontario.
Add illuminated warning signs near school.
Leave as is, waste of money.
Install pedestrian light at 51st/Main.
Pave Ontario between 51st to 52nd.