SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 1
VTC AGENDA
MARCH 14, 1996
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: February 28, 1996
Dept. File No. 3602
TO: Vancouver Traffic Commission
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: 1996 Traffic Signal Program
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve the 1996 Traffic Signal Program and that the
General Manager of Engineering Services be authorized to install
and modify traffic and pedestrian signals as described in this
report. Additional annual costs of $33,000 related to ongoing
maintenance will be reflected in future Operating Budgets.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council approved funding levels for traffic signal installations as
part of the 1994-1996 Streets Capital Plan.
A Traffic Signal Program Report recommending new signal installations
and modifications is submitted to Council for approval each year.
Council has indicated an order of priority for transportation that
places the highest priority on pedestrians.
SUMMARY
Council has approved funding as part of the 1994 - 1996 Streets Capital
Plan for the annual Traffic Signal Program. Funding requests included
in this report account for approximately one-third of the money
approved in the existing Capital Plan. The 1996 Traffic Signal Program
is recommended as follows:
A) Pedestrian-Actuated Signals $ 418,000
A1) 12th Avenue & Woodland Drive $55,000
A2) Fraser Street & 45th Avenue $61,000
A3) Georgia Street & Jervis Street $80,000
A4) Rupert Street & 7th Avenue $75,000
A5) 49th Avenue & Prince Edward Street $83,000
A6) Broadway & Columbia Street $64,000
A7) Kaslo Street & McGill St. (Funded by B.C. Transit) ($65,000)
B) Full Signals $ 240,000
B1) Hastings Street & Heatley Avenue $76,000
B2) Howe Street & Pacific Street $80,000
B3) King Edward Avenue & Kingsway $84,000
B4) Main Street & Georgia St. (Funded by ICBC) ($60,000)
B5) Joyce Street & Vanness Ave.(Funded by B.C. Transit) ($100,000)
C) Signal Modifications $ 240,000
D) Traffic Signal Management System
New Communication lines
Total 1996 Program $ 898,000
PURPOSE
This report lists the locations recommended for signal installations or
modifications and the reasons for these recommendations.
INTRODUCTION
The City of Vancouver relies on a surface street network to handle its
transportation needs. Therefore, pedestrian, cyclist, transit and
traffic signals are significant traffic management elements in the safe
movement of people and goods. Detailed studies are undertaken each
year by Engineering Services to determine locations that require new or
modified traffic signal controls. Users of the transportation system
such as pedestrians, cyclists, transit vehicles, trucks and automobiles
are considered in these studies. Many locations are reviewed in this
program to provide a comprehensive coverage. Based on this review, a
recommended Traffic Signal Program is prepared.
Council's top transportation priority is pedestrians, and six of twelve
recommended signals are pedestrian signals, two of which are
recommended at existing school-designated crosswalks. Transit
movements are being aided by two new signals, and are funded by B.C.
Transit. Several of the proposed vehicle signals also address
pedestrian safety needs. The remaining signals address safety concerns
related to high volumes of pedestrians and vehicles.
DISCUSSION
A) Pedestrian Signals
Recommended Locations
A1) 12th Avenue & Woodland Drive $55,000
Activities at "Our Lady of Fatima" Church have increased
pedestrian demand at Woodland on 12th Avenue. The nearest
signals to the east and west are at Commercial Drive and
Clark Drive respectively. One pedestrian accident has been
reported at this location within the past five years. Field
observations show some vehicular congestion occurs due to
turning movements, and a pedestrian signal would aid in
reducing conflicts or confusion associated with turning
vehicles and pedestrians. A pedestrian activated signal is
recommended at this location to allow safer access for
residents to local neighbourhood amenities.
A2) Fraser Street & 45th Avenue $61,000
This busy commercial strip along Fraser Street attracts a
large number of pedestrians. The local library and businesses
are presently served by pedestrian signals two blocks to the
north and one block to the south. Few adequate crossing
opportunities exist at 45th Avenue for the large number of
pedestrians. Field observations note that some vehicles pass
on the right while pedestrians cross Fraser Street at 45th
Avenue. In the past five years there have been seven
pedestrian accidents. As this is a busy commercial area with
a high pedestrian demand, it is recommended that a pedestrian
actuated signal be installed.
A3) Georgia Street & Jervis Street $80,000
Field observations show that few adequate gaps occur for
pedestrians crossing this six lane section of Georgia Street.
In the past five years there have been four reported
pedestrian accidents. Pedestrian demand is high in this area
and is expected to increase as development occurs in the Coal
Harbour Area.
A4) Rupert Street & 7th Avenue $75,000
The School Safety Patrol of the Vancouver City Police has
requested that a pedestrian activated signal be installed to
aid children crossing Rupert Street. Both the Police and
Engineering note that driver courtesy is poor and that
motorists pass on the right of vehicles stopped for
pedestrians. Vehicles speeding is also a problem,
particularly for southbound traffic. To aid area residents
and students attending Thunderbird Elementary School a
pedestrian actuated signal is recommended.
A5) 49th Avenue & Prince Edward Street $83,000
The nearest signal to this location is two blocks to the west
at Main Street. The School Safety Patrol identified this
intersection as a priority location for a pedestrian
activated signal. Driver courtesy is poor toward
pedestrians. This signal would not only provide service to
school children attending Henderson Elementary, but would
also assist area residents destined for Sunset Park and
Community Centre. Therefore a signal is recommended as part
of the 1996 Signal Program.
A6) Broadway & Columbia Street $64,000
Pedestrians in this increasingly busy commercial area are
served by a pedestrian activated signal at Manitoba, one
block to the east. Re-development along Broadway from Yukon
to Manitoba has increased pedestrian demand. Few adequate
crossing opportunities exist at Columbia. Two pedestrian
accidents have been reported in the past five years. Area
residents are actively involved in traffic related issues and
this signal will be brought forward to the community for
their input. A separate report will be presented to Council
addressing traffic calming and transportation issues in the
Mount Pleasant area.
A7) Kaslo Street @ McGill Street ($65,000)
(Funded by B.C. Transit)
A pedestrian and bus actuated signal is required to aid
transit customers crossing McGill and B.C. Transit buses
turning onto McGill Street. With the upcoming bridge work to
be completed on the Second Narrows Iron Workers Memorial
Bridge, this would be an opportune time to install this
signal. In order to expedite the installation of this
signal, B.C. Transit has asked that it be included for
consideration in the 1996 Annual Traffic Signal Program.
This signal will be 100% funded by B.C. Transit and
installation will be given a high priority to allow it to be
operational before construction work begins on the Second
Narrows Iron Workers Memorial Bridge.
A number of other locations were also reviewed for the
installation of pedestrian signals. Included in Appendix A is a
list of potential locations for subsequent signal programs that
are not recommended at this time due to the above priorities.
Also included in Appendix A is a list of locations reviewed which
are not recommended for pedestrian signals at this time due to the
low warrant index or not meeting other criteria, but which will
continue to be monitored. For some locations, other measures were
taken to improve conditions. A list of locations to be further
monitored in 1996 is also included.
Individuals and groups who requested to be notified of the Traffic
Commission meeting have been contacted.
B) Full Signals
Recommended Locations
B1) Hastings Street & Heatley Avenue $76,000
Heatley Avenue is the only access to and from the Vancouver
Port Corporation's Centerm container terminal. Semi-trailers
leaving the terminal often turn left from Heatley to
eastbound on Hastings. A traffic signal is recommended to
assist this left turn, and to improve pedestrian crossing
safety. Before installation of this signal the community
will be consulted to ensure that any impacts on the
surrounding neighbourhood be minimized.
B2) Howe Street & Pacific Avenue $80,000
Pedestrian, bicycle and motor vehicle crossings at this
intersection have increased due to recent residential
development. A signal will improve the intersection's
operation and safety.
B3) King Edward Avenue & Kingsway $84,000
There are over twenty accidents per year at this skewed "T"
intersection of two major arteries. A similar situation
existed at the intersection of Marine Drive and Marine Way,
where a signal installed in 1993 clearly resulted in an
overall reduction of accidents. A signal is recommended at
Kingsway and King Edward to reduce the high number of
accidents and to provide a safe pedestrian crossing of
Kingsway.
B4) Main Street & Georgia Street ($60,000)
(Funded by ICBC)
Since 1994, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia has
contributed over $300,000 for safety improvements in the City
of Vancouver. The ICBC funding of traffic safety
improvements to reduce traffic accidents and associated
losses is to our mutual benefit. ICBC already realizes a
reduction in its claims payout, directly linked to
improvements installed along the Clark/Knight Street
corridor. While ICBC can achieve long term cost savings, the
residents of Vancouver experience reduced exposure to damage
and injury.
Further to the completion of the Main Street Corridor study,
a joint venture study between ICBC and the City, ICBC will
provide funding of $60,000 to the City for a semi-actuated
traffic signal with pedestrian push buttons at Main Street
and Georgia Street.
B5) Joyce @ Vanness ($100,000)
(Funded by B.C. Transit)
B.C. Transit has requested the installation of an additional
signal control for southbound traffic at the bus exit from
Joyce Station. This would permit buses to activate the
signal to turn onto northbound Joyce. The traffic signal at
Joyce and Vanness can be modified to incorporate this new
transit signal and will be funded 100% by B.C. Transit.
C) Signal Modifications
C1) Left-Turn Phasing $103,000
The City receives many requests for left-turn flashing arrows
at existing traffic signals. Left-turn arrows which assist
transit vehicles or reinforce designated truck routes are
given the highest priority. They are best suited to
intersections with left-turn bays and high left-turn volumes
which cannot clear during gaps in opposing traffic flow. The
performance of intersections which already have left-turn
signalization can be improved by adding detectors in the
left-turn bay so the length of the left-turn phase responds
to the demand. Some intersections being considered for left-
turn phasing additions or modifications are listed in
Appendix D.
C2) Pedestrian Indicators $45,000
Existing signals that do not have pedestrian indicators are
reviewed each year. It is recommended that funding for up to
six suitable locations at an average cost of $7,500 be
appropriated for 1996.
C3) Minor Signal Modifications $30,000
There are routine modifications required on the present
signal system from time to time. Some examples of the
modifications are:
- adjustment of signal timing parameters in the local
controllers;
- visibility improvements of existing signal equipment by
the relocation or addition of signal heads;
- the modification of overhead signs;
- minor modifications to hardware and software for the
controllers and Central Control System.
This item also includes funding to purchase computer
hardware to allow staff to better manage the existing signal
system, utilize database software to inventory pedestrian
and vehicle information, and to handle increasing requests
from the public for traffic related data. Increasing
volumes of design work are being completed by Traffic
Management staff. This computer design work will increase
with the transfer of one Electrical Technician position from
Street Lighting and Utilities Management to Traffic
Management.
C4) Audible Signals $50,000
Vancouver has more audible traffic signals than any other
Canadian city. A total of ninety-one locations have been
completed as of the end of 1995. All new pedestrian signals
approved this year will be accompanied by audible signals. In
addition, funding of $50,000 is recommended in this year's
signal program to install audible indicators at existing
signalized intersections. Evaluation and construction will be
according to the proposed guidelines of the Canadian Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control devices. The priority of installation
will be established in consultation with the Special Advisory
Committee on Disability Issues and its related Subcommittee on
Engineering Issues. The Committee has been advised of this
recommendation and supports it. C5) Miscellaneous
a) Railway Crossing Gates $12,000
Boundary Road south of Marine Way
Transport Canada has recommended warning gates at this
crossing of the Canadian Pacific Railway and has approved
federal funding for their installation. The City of
Vancouver's share is 6.25%, or $12,000. There will be no
maintenance costs to the City of Vancouver until the
extension of Kent Avenue South provides a western access to
Boundary Road. Maintenance costs will then be shared
equally between the Cities of Burnaby and Vancouver.
D) Traffic Signal Management System
New Communication lines
In the 1994-1996 Capital Plan, $280,000 was budgeted for the
installation of new communication lines. Currently, there are
43 signals in the City of Vancouver which are not centrally
controlled. New communication lines to 25 of these locations
would aid in the overall management of the Traffic Signal
System.
Technological advances and overall communication needs within
the City are being reviewed at this time. Consultants are
studying both the Traffic Signal Management System and a
Broadband Network for the City. These studies are expected to
be completed in 1996, and will help select the type of
communication technology that is best suited to the City's
needs. Based on the two consultants reports being prepared,
staff will report to Council on the recommended technology to
be utilized.
OTHER SIGNAL INSTALLATIONS
As previously mentioned, signal installation and modifications may
be initiated through other programs or agencies. Appendix C lists
signals which are being initiated due to private developments.
Included in Appendix E is a list of signal installations and
modifications requested by BC Transit and their status of
completion.
Appendix F summarizes additional signal installations or
modifications funded by the City through additional larger projects
such as Greenways and new Bicycle Routes. Additional reports will
be forwarded to Council as the designs of these projects are
completed. These locations may be completed in 1996, depending on
factors such as community involvement.FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The 1996 Traffic Signal Program cost of $898,000 represents roughly
one-third of the money approved in the 1994-1996 Streets Capital
Plan. Funding will be provided from borrowing authority
($686,000); and from Capital from Revenue ($212,000), subject to
approval of the 1996 operating budget.
Future Operating Budgets will be affected by increases in
maintenance costs associated with the addition of new signals,
related equipment, signage, road marking, intersection traffic
counts and increased energy consumption. This year's Signal
Program represents roughly a three percent increase in the plant of
the Traffic Signal System. Costs of $33,000 for this increase in
the City's plant will need to be funded in future Operating Budgets
as these signals are installed.
PRIORITIES
Because of the time required to order specialized equipment,
limitations on the rate of installation, and other factors,
installation of these signals will continue throughout 1996 and into
1997. Thus, it is important to establish priorities for their
scheduling. The following principles should guide this process:
- pedestrian and transit signals should be high priority;
- school-oriented signals should be installed before the start of the
school year in September, if possible;
- signals related to identified safety issues and neighbourhood
concerns should be high priority;
- some signals may need to be coordinated with specific development
processes.
* * * * *