Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT:

Ontario Bikeway Traffic Calming

 

RECOMMENDATION

B. THAT the temporary corner bulge at the south-east corner of Ontario Street and 56th Avenue be made permanent, at a cost of $5,000, from the Streets Unappropriated Accounted 30000326 - Traffic Calming.

C. THAT the Streets Maintenance Budget be increased by $1,200 and the Traffic Sign Maintenance Budget be increased by $300, for the maintenance of the 3 right-in-right-out diverters and the corner bulge, effective year 2001.

D. THAT the temporary right-in-right-out diverter on Ontario Street at the intersection of 33rd Avenue be removed.

POLICY

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to review the temporary traffic calming measures along the Ontario Bikeway and to recommend permanent installations of these measures with the exception of the diverter on Ontario Street at 33rd Avenue.

BACKGROUND

In 1995, a proposal for the Ontario Bicycle Corridor was developed in consultation with residents and the Bicycle Network Subcommittee of the Bicycle Advisory Committee to Council. The route follows Ontario Street from S.E. Marine Drive to Science World. This route connects with the Off-Broadway Bikeway, the Adanac Bikeway and the Seaside Bike Route near Science World.

On April 27, 1995 the Ontario Bikeway was approved by Council and four temporary right-in-right-out diverters were installed on a trial basis to discourage vehicles from shortcutting along the bikeway and to increase the comfort and safety of cyclists using the route. However, a portion of the route between 49th and 59th Avenues was deferred. High traffic volumes and proposed changes to Langara College required that a comprehensive neighbourhood traffic plan, including considerable consultation with Langara College and local residents, be prepared. As a result, the Ontario Bikeway/Langara Area Traffic Calming Plan was subsequently approved by Council in January 1997. As part of this plan, traffic circles were installed at three intersections on Ontario Street at 52nd, 54th, and 56th Avenues. From this plan a temporary corner bulge was installed on a trial basis at the south-east corner of Ontario Street and 56th Avenue. The corner bulge was installed to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists by restricting parking within the corner clearance area. Furthermore, it has made the existing traffic circle at this intersection more effective by further reducing the speed of motorists as they navigate around the circle.

The temporary traffic calming measures installed on the Ontario Bikeway included right-in-right-out diverters on Ontario Street at King Edward Avenue, 33rd Avenue, 49th Avenue, and S.E. Marine Drive. The affected neighbourhoods were surveyed prior to the installation of these measures and were told that they would be resurveyed after the trial period to solicit their opinions. The results from the original survey conducted in March of 1995 are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 - Survey Results Results from March, 1995
DISCUSSION

Right-In-Right-Out Diverters

Since 1995, the four temporary right-in-right-out diverters have been monitored by staff and on June 15, 1999, the affected residents, businesses, schools and community centres were resurveyed to seek their opinion on the permanent installation of these measures. See Appendix A for the surveys and Appendix B for the survey areas.

The results, as displayed in Table 2, show support for the traffic diverters on Ontario Street at King Edward Avenue, 49th Avenue, and S.E. Marine Drive. However, the majority of those surveyed did not support the retention of the right-in-right-out diverter on Ontario Street at 33rd Avenue. General comments consistent for all measures include (see Appendix C for Summary of Results and Comments):

·Diverters have helped to reduce traffic and speed on Ontario Street

·Motorists park too close to the diverter
·Many motorists violate the diverter
·Inconvenience to local residents


Table 2 - Resurvey Results from June, 1999

Permanent right-in-right-out diverters will discourage vehicle shortcutting, reduce traffic volumes, and increase the comfort and safety levels of cyclists using the bikeway. The permanent installations of the diverters at King Edward, 49th, and S.E. Marine Drive are recommended based on the overall benefits they provide to the bikeway and the results from the survey. The temporary diverter at 33rd Avenue should be removed since the majority of the residents that responded were not in support. There is concern that the removal of the diverter may negatively impact the bike route and the neighbourhood in general because of the potential for traffic volumes to increase. However, there will be an opportunity for staff and residents to review the situation during the development of the Ontario Greenway next year.

Corner Bulge

The temporary corner bulge on Ontario Street at 56th Avenue has been monitored since its installation and on June 15, 1999 the affected residents were surveyed in order to obtain their opinion on the permanent installation of this measure (see Appendix B for Survey Area). From the survey it was found that 50% of those surveyed supported the installation of a permanent corner bulge and 50% did not (see Table 3).


Table 3 - Survey Results from June, 1999

General comments from the residents surveyed include (see Appendix C for Summary of Results and Comments):

·Traffic circles have helped to reduce the speed of traffic
·Bulge will block off my parking spot

While the response to the corner bulge was mixed, the only comment against the bulge is that it blocks off a parking spot. This is not the case as the location of the bulge represents the corner clearance where vehicles are prohibited from parking in any event.

The permanent installation of the bulge is recommended based on the overall benefits it provides in comparison to the concerns raised. The benefits of the bulge include improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists by restricting parking within the corner clearance area, increased sight line for pedestrians crossing Ontario Street, and reduced crossing distance for pedestrians at the intersection. In addition, it has made the existing traffic circle at this intersection more effective by further reducing the speed of motorists as they navigate around the circle.

CONCLUSION

The permanent installation of temporary traffic calming measures on Ontario Street, with the exception of the right-in-right-out diverter at 33rd Avenue, is recommended based on residents responses and overall benefit to the neighbourhood.

ONTARIO BIKEWAY

    Figure 1 - Proposed Permanent Traffic Calming On Ontario St.

APPENDIX A

SURVEYS

June 15, 1999

Dear Resident:

Right-In-Right-Out Diverter on Ontario Bikeway

The City of Vancouver is in the process of reviewing the right-in-right-out diverter on Ontario Street at King Edward Avenue. The diverter has been in place on a trial period and now we must decide if it should be made permanent.

This diverter restricts through traffic northbound and southbound on Ontario Street at King Edward Avenue. Left turns into and out of Ontario Street at King Edward Avenue are restricted as well (see attached plan).

This follow-up letter seeks your opinion on the permanent installation of the right-in-right-out diverter at the intersection of Ontario Street and King Edward Avenue. If you have any suggestions or comments on this or other traffic calming measures in your neighbourhood, please call me by July 1, 1999. Your feedback on this project is valuable and will influence our decision to make the temporary right-in-right-out diverter permanent.

If you have any questions about this project, call me at 873-7693 or e-mail me at winston_chou@city.vancouver.bc.ca.

Yours truly,

Winston Chou, EIT
Neighbourhood Transportation Branch

June 15, 1999

Dear Resident:

Right-In-Right-Out Diverter on Ontario Bikeway

The City of Vancouver is in the process of reviewing the traffic calming devices on the Ontario Bikeway. As part of this project, and with the support of the majority of the residents in the neighbourhood, the right-in-right-out diverter at the intersection of Ontario Street and 33rd Avenue could be made permanent.

This diverter restricts through traffic northbound and southbound on Ontario Street at 33rd Avenue. Left turns into and out of Ontario Street at 33rd Avenue are restricted as well (see attached plan). These restrictions have helped to calm traffic on Ontario Street making it safer for cyclists and pedestrians; but, it also has made travel by some residents more inconvenient.

The enclosed survey seeks your opinion on the permanent installation of the right-in-right-out diverter on Ontario Street at 33rd Avenue. Please complete the survey including any other comments you may have and return it by July 1, 1999. Your feedback on this project is valuable and will influence our decision to make the temporary right-in-right-out diverter permanent.

If you have any questions about this project, call me at 873-7693 or e-mail me at winston_chou@city.vancouver.bc.ca.

Yours truly,

Winston Chou, EIT
Neighbourhood Transportation Branch

City of
Vancouver

Neighbourhood
Transportation
Branch

Right-In-Right-Out Diverter

Follow-Up Survey

    Name: _____________________________

Address:______________________________

 

Postal Code:___________________________

Please check one.

COMMENTS?

June 15, 1999

Dear Resident:

Right-In-Right-Out Diverter on Ontario Bikeway

The City of Vancouver is in the process of reviewing the right-in-right-out diverter on Ontario Street at 49th Avenue. The diverter has been in place on a trial period and now we must decide if it should be made permanent.

This diverter restricts through traffic northbound and southbound on Ontario Street at 49th Avenue. Left turns into and out of Ontario Street at 49th Avenue are restricted as well (see attached plan).

This follow-up letter seeks your opinion on the permanent installation of the right-in-right-out diverter at the intersection of Ontario Street and 49th Avenue. If you have any suggestions or comments on this or other traffic calming measures in your neighbourhood, please call me by July 1, 1999. Your feedback on this project is valuable and will influence our decision to make the temporary right-in-right-out diverter permanent.

If you have any questions about this project, call me at 873-7693 or e-mail me at winston_chou@city.vancouver.bc.ca.

Yours truly,

Winston Chou, EIT
Neighbourhood Transportation Branch


June 15, 1999

Dear Resident:

Corner Bulge at 56th Avenue and Ontario Street

The City of Vancouver is in the process of reviewing the corner bulge on Ontario Street at 56th Avenue. The corner bulge has been in place on a trial period and now we must decide if it should be made permanent.

This corner bulge will assist pedestrians by decreasing the crossing distance across Ontario Street. It will also improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists by restricting parking within the corner clearance area. Furthermore, it will make the existing traffic circle at this intersection more effective by further reducing the speed of motorists as they navigate around the circle (see attached plan).

If you have any questions about this project, call me at 873-7693 or e-mail me at winston_chou@city.vancouver.bc.ca.

Yours truly,

Winston Chou, EIT
Neighbourhood Transportation Branch

June 15, 1999

Dear Resident:

Right-In-Right-Out Diverter on Ontario Bikeway

The City of Vancouver is in the process of reviewing the right-in-right-out diverter on Ontario Street at Marine Drive. The diverter has been in place on a trial period and now we must decide if it should be made permanent.

This diverter restricts through traffic northbound and southbound on Ontario Street at Marine Drive. Left turns into and out of Ontario Street at Marine Drive are restricted as well (see attached plan).

This follow-up letter seeks your opinion on the permanent installation of the right-in-right-out diverter at the intersection of Ontario Street and Marine Drive. If you have any suggestions or comments on this or other traffic calming measures in your neighbourhood, please call me by July 1, 1999. Your feedback on this project is valuable and will influence our decision to make the temporary right-in-right-out diverter permanent.

If you have any questions about this project, call me at 873-7693 or e-mail me at winston_chou@city.vancouver.bc.ca.

Yours truly,

Winston Chou, EIT
Neighbourhood Transportation Branch

APPENDIX B

SURVEY AREA

APPENDIX C

SURVEY RESULTS

ONTARIO ST. & KING EDWARD AVE. RIGHT-IN-RIGHT-OUT DIVERTER

Summary of Survey Results

Total number of surveys sent out: 600

Total number of responses: 60 (60/600 = 10% response rate)
In favour of proposal: 36 (36/60 = 60%)
Opposed of proposal: 23 (23/60 = 38%)
Neutral: 1 (1/60 = 2%)

Summary of Comments

· Drivers are turning left from southbound Manitoba Street into the lanes north of 23rd Ave and 24th Ave in order to avoid the diverter at King Ed and Ontario.

· It is almost as if the traffic calming measures intended for the bikeway have inadvertently made Ontario an attractive vehicle alternative to Main Street when the traffic on Main gets congested.
· Too many people parking next to the diverter. Restrict parking on one side of Ontario.
· Too many people do not know what to do when the come to one and make a left turn against the flow.
· I am interested in making 22nd Avenue a one-way eastbound street as well.
· Parking is a problem on Ontario Street near the church. The public does not always obey the intent of the diverter.
· barrier is an improvement on traffic flow, and helps with bicycle safety
· The diverter is very inconvenient.
· Since this diverter was put in a few years ago, traffic on Manitoba has quadrupled.
· We have to cope daily with arrogant egomaniacs who think that they have supreme right to ride their bikes and I should be forced to drive through hoops to get home and safely park my vehicle.
· This diverter is unnecessary and should be removed. There are very few cyclists that use this route. The bikeway should be on Manitoba Street and not Ontario.
· All Streets should be accessible instead of forcing all traffic on to Main Street and causing more traffic grid. The City is becoming a stupid maze.

ONTARIO ST. & 33RD AVE. RIGHT-IN-RIGHT-OUT DIVERTER

Summary of Survey Results

Total number of surveys sent out: 1230

Total number of responses: 189 (189/1230 = 15% response rate)
In favour of proposal: 72 (72/189 = 38%)
Opposed of proposal: 111 (111/189 = 59%)
Neutral: 6 (6/189 = 3%)

Comments

· Speed bumps as on Adanac should be put on Ontario along Q.E. Park as this is a high-speed area. Also, I would strongly endorse complete closure instead of diverters.

· The excessive number of vehicles, many of which contain very impatient drivers, makes cycling less safe and certainly less enjoyable.
· Seeing as so many people ignore it anyway, we wonder how much calming it really has done!
· Why not have a “normal” intersection controlled by lights.
· Greater safety is desired for all pedestrians and cyclists as well as improving control of motorists. I have experienced motorists going through the red traffic light at 33rd and Main St. in the east to west direction and I was a pedestrian going north to south on the west side of Main on the walk signal for pedestrians.
· Too many people are now ignoring the temporary arrangement.
· Stop signs at 28th and Ontario (on 28th) would be a good idea, although there are stop signs on Ontario and have never seen a cyclist stop.
· The control lights at 33rd Avenue and Ontario St. are more than sufficient for the cyclists to cross 33rd Avenue. The restrictions proposed are causing lots of inconveniences to drivers living in the area. Quite a number of motorists have chosen to ignore the diverter.
· As seniors we find it is most difficult to reach our Community Centre. Too far to walk there and back. Very difficult to drive with present traffic restrictions.
· I consider these diverters and similar corner modifications recently being built a real nuisance, a waste of money, indifferently and arbitrarily enforced and have (like Prohibition) the effect of making illegal what is sensible, desirable, practical, time-saving and offensive. This attempt todiscourage auto traffic on Ontario, just directs heavier traffic to already congested Main/Cambie and makes some of these intersections more dangerous.
· I have seen several cars disregard the diverter including the police, who should enforce the no left turn.
· Very few bikes use the bikeway every day.
· This right-in-right-out diverter has proved most inconvenient for residents in the neighborhood, both in driving around and when taking our walks.
· Not just the rights of bicyclists should be in consideration. The rights of residents, who have to live with it day in and day out should be considered too!
· Traffic at this intersection is already calmed by the traffic signal.
· No one abides by it anyway except a few local residents like myself. The restriction is ridiculous and inconvenient.
· Just make no left turn between 7 am and 9 am plus 3 pm to 6 pm from 33rd Ave. onto Ontario both directions.
· I live one block away from this diverter and it very much impedes my access to Cambie St. North. I believe a no left turn sign would achieve the same safety factor for cyclists and pedestrians or install a full scale traffic light.
· It increases traffic on the other side streets as some choose alternate routes.
· The diverter has cut my community in half as I drive to hockey at Riley Park often, as do my neighbours. Much of this community traffic has moved over to Quebec Street which is dangerously narrow and ill-suited. Ontario Street is sufficiently wide to accommodate both community traffic and cyclists.
· It’s like trying to go through a maze just to get home from 33rd.
· I know the bike advocates and other civic groups such as B.E.S.T. will do their utmost to “have” their way, but please, please take a look from the area residents’ view and realize that we have to live with any changes.
· Take out the diverter and install roundabouts and chokes on places on Ontario St. to calm traffic. Also enforce the 50 km speed limit by the park. Very few motorists obey it.
· The diverter has actually increased traffic along side streets.
· There is already a light controlling the intersection to facilitate the safety of cyclists crossing 33rd Ave.

ONTARIO ST. & 49TH AVE. RIGHT-IN-RIGHT-OUT DIVERTER

Summary of Survey Results

Total number of surveys sent out: 550

Total number of responses: 27 (27/550 = 5% response rate)
In favour of proposal: 21 (21/27 = 78%)
Opposed of proposal: 6 (6/27 = 22%)
Neutral: 0

Summary of Comments

· Ontario Street is no longer used as the short cut or alternate route for Main which it had been prior to the bike path development.

· The right-in-right-out diverter at 49th Ave. has somewhat reduced the flow and speed of motorized traffic along the Ontario Street and I fully support having it made permanent.
· I have noticed a great number of cars (at least once a fortnight seen by myself) traveling south along Ontario Street avoiding the right-out aspect and cutting straight across 49th Ave., which is of concern.
· Too often commuter traffic uses the relatively untravelled status of the bike route as a raceway to beat the main thoroughfares. A means to deter this would be the addition of large speed bumps like those in place in Queen E. park.
· We already encounter cars going at breakneck speed down our street and the removal of the diverter would just make Ontario one big freeway.
· People are parking too close to the diverter. This results in a very narrow and dangerous passage way for cyclists and motorists. Please restrict parking near the diverter on Ontario Street.
· In spite of the diverter cars are still crossing 49th, in spite of the traffic light, pedestrians/bikes do not wait until the light changes. These unpredictable movements only add a component of danger rather than making it safer or "calming" traffic in that area. It is simply more stressful.
· Very few cyclists use this bike route. The diverter is not needed since there is a pedestrian signal.

ONTARIO ST. & MARINE DRIVE RIGHT-IN-RIGHT-OUT DIVERTER

Summary of Survey Results

Total number of surveys sent out: 400

Total number of responses: 15 (15/400 = 4% response rate)
In favour of proposal: 14 (14/15 = 93%)
Opposed of proposal: 1 (1/15 = 7%)
Neutral: 0

Summary of Comments

· Ever since the diverter was installed, we have noticed that there's a dramatic decrease in automobiles flowing through Ontario street to Marine drive. In the past without the diverter in place we have constantly witnessed cars recklessly speeding up Ontario from marine drive which is very dangerous considering that there are many children, elderly and cyclist using Ontario St.

· Restrict parking near the diverter to allow for easy access onto Ontario Street.
· Would like to see the lane east of the Ontario Street closed to non-residential traffic if this diverter is made permanent.
· Since the diverter at Ontario Street has been in place motorists have been shortcutting though the lane east of Ontario.
· Drivers are not stopping at the stop signs at 62nd and Ontario. Would like to see a traffic circle at 61st Avenue to help calm the traffic.
· Traffic has increase on 63rd Ave since the installation of the right-in-right-out diverter at Marine and Ontario

ONTARIO STREET & 56TH AVENUE CORNER BULGE

Summary of Survey Results

Total number of surveys sent out: 30

Total number of responses: 4 (4/30 = 4% response rate)
In favour of proposal: 2 (2/4 = 50%)
Opposed of proposal: 2 (2/4 = 50%)
Neutral: 0

Summary of Comments

· Since the pilons have been in place, I have had fewer people drive up on the curb and onto my lawn as well as avoiding a very prominent telephone pole.

· There are tennis courts directly across the street from me that are very busy, and a school yard a block away. Many children that attend that school walk by my house everyday.
· While the traffic circles have cut down on some of the speed, more work could be done to reduce it even more.
· A factor that needs to be addressed about the Ontario Street bike route is the number of commercial vehicles that still use this street as a byway during the weekdays. I constantly see (and hear) a non-stop stream of large trucks and even semi's trying to negotiate the turns at high speeds.
· Bulge will block off parking spot.
· Traffic circles are a nuisance and do not work. Motorists are still driving too fast on Ontario Street and crashing into the traffic circles.

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