ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: January 20, 1998

Author/Local:D.Louie/7915

CC File No. 5761-1

TO:	Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Traffic Signal at Cambie and 59th

RECOMMENDATION

A.THAT a full traffic signal at Cambie and 59th Avenue be installed as previously approved in the 1995 Traffic Signal Program and as supported by the neighbourhood survey; and that the additional $20,000 required be included in the 1998 Annual Traffic Signal Program.

B.THAT the Vancouver Police Services be requested to increase enforcement of speed limits on 59th Avenue east of Cambie.

C.THAT staff monitor traffic volumes on 59th Avenue east and west of Cambie to determine whether any diversion of traffic occurs.

D.THAT further traffic calming measures on 59th Avenue be evaluated as part of the speed hump trial report and future Greenway Corridor.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council approves funding levels for traffic signal installations as part of the Streets Capital Plan.

A Traffic Signal Program Report recommending new signal installations and modifications is submitted to Council for approval each year. A traffic signal for Cambie and 59th was approved by Council in the 1995 Report.

Council’s transportation policy places the highest priority on pedestrians, bicycles and transit.

One of the policy statements in the Oakridge/Langara Planning Study Area adopted by Council was the need to address current traffic issues.

The Cambie Street Boulevard is a designated heritage boulevard.

West 59th is part of the proposed future Greenway (North Arm Trail) adopted by Council.

SUMMARY

A traffic signal at Cambie and 59th was approved by Council in 1995 because of the relatively high number of traffic accidents at that location. The installation of the signal was delayed to allow further discussion about other possible changes. A left turn bay was originally contemplated; however, during the Oakridge/Langara Traffic Management Planning process, traffic calming measures were favoured instead. From this process, three options were developed, two of which included a right-in-right-out diverter on West 59th west of Cambie. Residents in the area were surveyed to solicit their opinions about the three options. The majority of the respondents (67%) favoured the installation of a full traffic signal only. To address concerns about the speed and volume of traffic along W. 59th, enforcement of the speed limit, monitoring of traffic volumes, and the evaluation of other traffic calming measures are recommended in addition to the traffic signal.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to recommend a signal be installed at Cambie and 59th based on the results of the public consultation regarding the safety improvements at the intersection of Cambie and 59th.

BACKGROUND

On March 9, 1995, Council approved the installation of a full traffic signal at Cambie and 59th at a cost of $80,000. The signal was recommended because there is an average of thirteen accidents per year at the intersection. Also proposed was the installation of a southbound left turn bay to improve safety. This was to be reported back to Council after consultation with the Oakridge/Langara community.

On June 13, 1996, Council approved, as part of the Oakridge/Langara Traffic Management Planning process, that options for improvements at Cambie and 59th be presented to the neighbourhood for further input and surveys, as necessary, with a detailed report back. The options being considered at the time included traffic diverters, a southbound left turn bay, and a traffic or pedestrian signal.

DISCUSSION

In 1996, a series of six open houses and a workshop were held as part of the Oakridge/Langara Traffic Planning process to listen, collect information, and establish a general direction about traffic concerns in the neighbourhood. One area of concern was the intersection of Cambie and West 59th Avenue.

The intersection was frequently cited by local residents as dangerous and avoided if possible. Accident records confirm that an average of 13 traffic accidents per year occur at the intersection. Due to this high incidence of accidents, Council had approved a traffic signal at this location in the 1995 Traffic Signal Program.

Discussions with area residents about possible changes to the intersection of Cambie and 59th revealed differing opinions about how to address the safety problems. Suggestions from residents ranged from a full traffic signal with a left turn bay to a pedestrian signal with traffic diverters on 59th. After reviewing the feedback, the primary goals of the changes at the intersection were established as follows:

·reduce vehicular accidents,

·facilitate pedestrian and bicycle crossings,

·not encourage additional traffic on W. 59th,

·prevent traffic impacts to adjacent local streets, and

·maintain reasonable access to the neighbourhood.

Other important issues which affect the decision for changes at the intersection include the following:

·59th Avenue is a primary access point for many residents east of Cambie, and is the only through east-west street south of 49th and north of Marine Drive.

·A service station exists on the southwest corner and a destination restaurant on the southeast corner of the intersection.

·Oak Park, Laurier Elementary School, and an ambulance station exist on 59th Avenue west of Cambie.

·Winona Park and Sexsmith Elementary School exist on 59th Avenue east of Cambie.

Based on suggestions from area residents and the above noted goals and issues, three viable options were developed. All three options exclude the possibility of a left-turn bay. Although a left-turn bay would have enhanced the safety of the intersection, it also would encourage traffic onto W. 59th, impose changes on the Cambie Street Heritage Boulevard, and could be counter to future Greenway improvements.

The three options are as follows:

1. Full Traffic Signal Only - This would assist pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in crossing Cambie Street, and would not place any restrictions on vehicular movements. Pedestrians would actuate push buttons located on the sidewalk, cyclists would actuate push buttons located adjacent to the curb, and motorists and cyclists would activate loop detectors in the roadway. Safety would be improved. Although no significant changes in traffic patterns would be anticipated, it might attract additional local traffic onto W. 59th because some residents currently avoid the intersection because of safety concerns.

2.Full Traffic Signal with a Diverter - This would be similar to option one except that a right-in-right-out diverter would be introduced on the west side of Cambie to restrict some access to and from W. 59th. There would be some impact to traffic patterns on W. 59th west of Cambie, and to the operation of the ambulance station located west of Cambie.

3.Pedestrian Signal with a Diverter - This would only assist pedestrians and cyclists in crossing Cambie Street. Vehicular traffic would not be assisted in any way and some vehicular access to and from W. 59th would be restricted. Vehicular safety could be improved indirectly by reducing the number of traffic movements at the intersection. Traffic would not be attracted to the intersection, but current traffic congestion at the intersection would likely continue.

The three options were presented to area residents by a survey (see Appendix A). Approximately 4,100 surveys were distributed to residents within 1 kilometre of the intersection (see Appendix B). 1,229 responses were received. This high response rate of 30% indicated the interest of many residents in the area.

The results of the survey are shown in Figures 1 and 2. It is clear from the survey that a strong majority of residents in the area who responded to the survey (67%) prefer the installation of a full traffic signal only (Option 1). A separate analysis of selected responses from residents along 59th and along Cambie who are most affected by the proposed changes revealed very similar results. Option 1 is also the preferred option of the nearby ambulance station. Further survey details and comments are attached as Appendix D.

Notwithstanding the strong survey results, some residents are still concerned about the installation of a full traffic signal only at Cambie and 59th. Their concerns are largely related to the existing volume and speed of traffic along 59th, the safety of children attending Sexsmith Elementary School, and the desire to ensure that a future Greenway is accommodated. Existing traffic volumes along 59th Avenue east of Cambie (approximately 3,000 vehicles per day) confirm that 59th Avenue functions as a local collector or east-west connector for the neighbourhood. Speeds are also higher than desired (the 85th percentile speed is 52 km/h), particularly given the fact that 59th Avenue is adjacent to Winona Park and Sexsmith Elementary School where 30 km/h speed zones exist. To reduce the speed of traffic, police enforcement has been requested and 59th Avenue east and west of Cambie will be a candidate location in an upcoming trial speed hump program report to be presented to Council this Spring.

The concerns about traffic volumes and a future Greenway are best dealt with through the extensive public consultation process that will accompany the development of the Greenway. Traffic volumes will also be monitored to determine whether any diversion of traffic occurs. Although the installation of a full traffic signal at Cambie and 59th will not eliminate any future Greenway opportunities, staff from the Greenways Branch is concerned about the potential increase in traffic along W. 59th.

A public information meeting was held at Sexsmith Elementary School on January 15, 1998, to discuss the results of the survey. The majority of those that attended (85%) favoured the installation of a full traffic signal only. Comments similar to those received in the survey were heard, and some expressed frustration about the delay in having the signal installed. The concern about the potential increase in traffic and the resulting dangers to children attending Sexsmith Elementary School was also heard. Some felt that the latter concern could be effectively dealt with apart from the installation of the traffic signal.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

In 1995, $80,000 was approved by Council for the traffic signal at Cambie and 59th as part of the Annual Traffic Signal Program. An additional $20,000 is now required due to inflation and signal design changes (addition of cyclists push-buttons, and installation of additional pedestrian curb drops). The additional funds will be included as part of the 1998 Annual Traffic Signal Program.

CONCLUSION

The installation of a full traffic signal at Cambie and 59th is recommended because there is a need to improve safety, the majority of residents support the installation, and it will not limit opportunities for the future Greenway along 59th Avenue. The concerns about speeding traffic on West 59th have been forwarded to the Police for enforcement, traffic volumes will be monitored, and speed humps along 59th Avenue east and west of Cambie will be considered in an upcoming report to Council.

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(c) 1997 City of Vancouver