A10

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: June 15, 1999
Author/Local: P. Stary/6437
RTS No. 00811

CC File No. 5702

Council: July 6, 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Raised School Crosswalk - Laurel at 24th

RECOMMENDATION

A. A. THAT a raised crosswalk be constructed on a trial basis on Laurel Street at 24th Avenue at a total cost of $5,000 funded from Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account 30000326 (Traffic Calming).

B. THAT $120 for maintenance of the trial raised crosswalk be approved as an increase to the annual Operating Budget, without offset, should the raised crosswalk become permanent.

COUNCIL POLICY

On May 27th, 1997, Council approved the Vancouver Transportation Plan that emphasizes the need to provide more comfortable pedestrian environments, to mitigate the effects of traffic on local neighbourhood streets and to expand the City's traffic calming program to include a greater range of measures.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek approval and funding for the construction of a raised school crosswalk on Laurel Street at 24th Avenue on a trial basis.

BACKGROUND

Raised crosswalks are in use in other communities in British Columbia as well as in other parts of North America. The Transportation Association of Canada has recently published guidelines for the use of this device.

The purpose of raised crosswalks is to reduce vehicle speeds and enhance pedestrian visibility, thereby reducing pedestrian-vehicle conflicts. Raised crosswalks function similarly to speed humps in encouraging reduced vehicle speeds. Advance warning signs and special pavement markings emphasize the presence of the raised crosswalk to drivers.

DISCUSSION

The existing school crosswalk on Laurel Street at 24th Avenue serves the students of Emily Carr Elementary School. The crosswalk is patrolled by student crossing guards under the guidance of a teacher sponsor and officers of the Police School Safety Patrol. Crossing guards have reported some speeding and disregard of pedestrians at this crosswalk. Residents of the area have also complained of traffic shortcutting and speeding on Laurel Street and have formed a neighbourhood group to seek traffic calming measures. Emily Carr School, the Police School Safety Patrol Officers and the ad hoc neighbourhood group have all been consulted and all support the installation of a raised crosswalk.

A survey has been delivered to all residents living within one block in each direction from the site of the proposed raised crosswalk. Of the 30 surveys delivered 16 were returned, a response rate of 57%, which is high for this type of survey. Thirteen (76% of those responding) supported the raised crosswalk. Two opposed the raised crosswalk and two indicated being neutral (12% each of those responding).

Several of those who supported the raised crosswalk commented that some motorists disregard the posted 30 km/h school speed zone on Laurel and pose a hazard to students. One of the respondents who opposed the raised crosswalk commented that there is no speeding on 24th and the traffic circle at Laurel and 22nd already slows traffic on Laurel.

Should a trial raised crosswalk be approved, it will be monitored in conjunction with the Police School Safety Patrol and adjustments made if needed. At the end of a six month trial period the neighbourhood will be re-surveyed and the results of the survey, together with a recommendation on whether to retain the raised crosswalk, will be reported to Council.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The estimated capital cost of the construction of a raised crosswalk on Laurel Street at West 24th Avenue is $5,000. Funds for construction of the raised crosswalk are available from the Streets Basic Capital Account set aside for traffic calming.

Should the raised crosswalk become permanent, it will require maintenance in the form of road markings repainted every two or three years, signs replaced approximately every seven years and asphalt repair as needed. The estimated annual maintenance cost for the proposed raised crosswalk is $120.

CONCLUSIONS

Raised crosswalks have been used in other jurisdictions as an effective, low cost means of slowing traffic and enhancing pedestrian safety. A raised crosswalk on Laurel Street at 24th Avenue should help to address concerns about speeding and shortcutting at this patrolled school crosswalk. This project will also serve as a pilot for future applications of this traffic calming device.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver