ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: June 4, 1999
Author/Local: Leo Megaro/7908
RTS No. 707

CC File No. 5757
T&T Date: June 22, 1999

TO:	Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Napier Street and Semlin Drive - Chicane

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT a temporary chicane be installed at Napier Street and Semlin Drive, with funding of $1,000 from Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account Number 30000326 (traffic calming).

B. THAT following the trial period of approximately six months after installation, area residents be surveyed, traffic counts be taken and the results be reported to the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic.

POLICY

Council has a long standing policy of protecting residential neighbourhoods from intrusion of non-local traffic on local streets.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to present the results of a survey regarding the proposed Napier Street and Semlin Drive chicane, and to recommend proceeding with installation of the chicane.
BACKGROUND

The Grandview-Woodlands Traffic Management Plan was approved in 1986 and two traffic circles were construction on Napier Street between Victoria Drive and Nanaimo Street. The intent of these measures was to discourage non-local traffic from shortcutting through this neighbourhood and increase safety and livability in the neighbourhood.

DISCUSSION

In response to residents' concerns about the increased volume and speed of traffic in the 1900 and 2000 block of Napier Street, City staff met with residents to discuss potential solutions.

Information gathered at the intersection of Napier Street and Semlin Drive indicates that there were seven police-reported accidents over a five year period, and traffic volume along Napier Street was about 2200 - 2500 vehicles per day. Even though this street ranks lower than others, a chicane could discourage non-local traffic from using Napier Street as a shortcut route through the neighbourhood.

The 1997 Transportation Plan suggests that the City expand its approach to traffic calming to include a greater range of measures. A chicane is a series of curb extensions on alternating sides of a roadway, which narrow the roadway and require drivers to steer from one side of the roadway to the other to travel through the chicane. (See diagram in Appendix A). It has not been used before as a traffic calming measure and the traffic situation on this street provides an opportunity to try a new device. It is proposed that a temporary device in the form of a chicane be used during the trial period.

CONSULTATION

In April, 1999, staff delivered a letter to homes within a one block radius of the proposed chicane, outlining the existing conditions on Napier Street and the proposed actions to be taken by the city (Appendix "A").

The results of the survey for the proposed chicane at the intersection were as follows:

Surveys Distributed 42
Surveys Returned 16 (38% return rate)
In favour of the chicane 9 (56%)
Opposed to the chicane 6 (38%)
Unsure 1 (6%)

Surveys were received from residents on the neighbouring streets of William and Rose which were not part of the survey area. The concerns received from the residents of William Street and Rose Street are that the proposed chicane would divert the traffic onto the neighbouring streets and with reduced parking around the Church the overflow would be on the surrounding streets. The chicane allows two-way traffic and therefore should not result in a diversion of traffic. The chicane is at the intersection, so would not greatly reduce parking. A parking space would be lost on the southwest corner but this was discussed with the resident who is in support of the chicane.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The permanent chicane is estimated to cost $25,000 and can be funded from the Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account Number 30000326 (traffic calming). A trial chicane would cost about $1000. The annual Streets maintenance budget requires an increase of $1500, to be reduced by $500 if the chicane is adopted by the residents, and the sign maintenance budget needs to be increased by $200, both without offset.

CONCLUSION

Although a local street, Napier is used as a shortcut route for non-local traffic from Victoria Drive to Nanaimo Street. The proposed chicane is not a diversionary measure and still allows for two-way traffic through the intersection. It will improve safety at the intersection and make it less attractive as a shortcut route for non-local traffic. It is unlikely that there would be an increase in traffic volumes in other areas of the neighbourhood as a result of the proposed chicane. Following a trial period of approximately six months after installation area residents will be surveyed, traffic counts will be taken and the results will be reported to the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver