ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: January 26, 2000
Author/Local: W. Chou/7913
RTS No. 1219

CC File No. 5757

Council: February 22, 2000

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Right-In-Right-Out Diverter at 49th Avenue and Columbia Street

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT a temporary Right-In-Right-Out diverter be installed on Columbia Street at 49th Avenue, at a cost to Langara College as part of the 1994 CD-1 By-Law Amendment.

B. THAT staff report back following a trial period.

POLICY

The Vancouver Transportation Plan emphasizes the need to mitigate the effects of traffic in local neighbourhood areas and to give priority to streets and neighbourhoods where traffic impacts are most serious.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to review the intersection of 49th Avenue and Columbia Street and to recommend the installation of a temporary right-in-right-out diverter to accompany the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection.
BACKGROUND

In 1994, City Council approved the CD-1 By-Law Amendment for Langara College. As part of the amendment, Council directed staff to monitor any traffic impacts to nearby residential streets. Subsequently, as part of the 1997 Traffic Signal Program, Council approved a trafficsignal at the intersection of 49th Avenue and Columbia Street for the benefit of Langara College.

DISCUSSION

The Langara College parking lot entrance/exit is located at the south leg of the Columbia Street and 49th Avenue intersection. The installation of a traffic signal at this intersection would assist students when exiting the parking lot to proceed westbound on 49th Avenue. It would also assist pedestrians when crossing 49th Avenue at this location. However, the signal would also make it easier for the motorists exiting the parking lot to continue northbound on Columbia Street, thereby increasing traffic volumes along this local street.

To mitigate the potential impacts of the new signal installation, a right-in-right-out diverter on Columbia Street at 49th Avenue is proposed (see Figure 1). The diverter would be installed on a 6-month trial basis and would be monitored to assess any other impacts to the neighbourhood. Once the trial period is complete the neighbourhood would be surveyed to obtain their opinion about its potential permanent installation.

Figure 1 - 49th Ave. & Columbia

In June of 1999, a letter was sent to affected residents to inform them about the installation of the traffic signal and the proposal for a right-in-right-out diverter at the intersection. The letter directed residents to contact staff if they had any comments or questions regarding the proposed plan. Staff received 2 responses from residents. No concerns about the right-in-right-out diverter were expressed. However, there were concerns about the installation of the traffic signal on 49th Avenue. Residents primarily feared that the additional signal would impede east/west traffic movement.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The costs for both the traffic signal and right-in-right-out diverter would be covered by Langara College.

Estimated Costs:

Traffic Signal Columbia and 49th Avenue $82,000

Right-In-Right-Out Diverter Temporary measure $ 1,500

Right-In-Right-Out Diverter Permanent installation $35,000

Public Consultation Mail outs/traffic survey $ 1,500

Total $ 120, 000

CONCLUSION

A temporary right-in-right-out diverter at 49th and Columbia is recommended based on the benefits it would provide to the neighbourhood. A review will be made after six months and reported back to Council.

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APPENDIX A
INFORMATION LETTER

ENG. LETTERHEAD

June 2, 1999

Dear Resident:

New Traffic Signal at 49th and Columbia

A traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of 49th Avenue and Columbia Street this Fall. The signal was approved by City Council in 1997 as part of the rezoning of Langara College. The purpose of the signal is to assist students in exiting the College's parking lot and walking across the street.

To protect the neighbourhood north of 49th Avenue, we are also recommending that a right-in-right-out diverter be installed on Columbia Street north of 49th Avenue (see attached plan). This diverter would prevent vehicles from proceeding northbound from the parking lot into your neighbourhood. It would also prevent vehicles from accessing the parking lot from southbound Columbia Street, further preventing students from shortcutting through your neighbourhood. Left turns into and out of Columbia Street at 49th Avenue would be restricted as well.

Both the signal and the diverter would be installed at Langara College's expense. A temporary diverter would be installed on a 6-month trial basis to allow us to make changes if necessary. Traffic counts would be completed in the area prior to and after the installation to help us assess any impacts.

If you have any comments or questions about the proposed project, please call Winston Chou at 873-7693 or e-mail him at winston_chou@city.vancouver.bc.ca. Please respond by July 1, 1999.

Yours truly,

Doug Louie, P.Eng.
Assistant Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer

APPENDIX B
DISTRIBUTION AREA
SHADED REGION INDICATES DISTRIBUTION AREA

APPENDIX C
COMMENTS

COLUMBIA STREET & 49TH AVENUE RIGHT-IN-RIGHT-OUT DIVERTER

Summary of Responses up to January 17,2000

Total number of letters sent out:180

Total number of responses:2
In favour of proposal:1(½ = 50%)
Opposed of proposal:0
Neutral:1(½ = 50%)

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver