RECOMMENDATION:
That the staff report dated May 16, 2005
entitled “Birchview Lane/Kennedy Road Possible Signalization”
be received;
And that the requested traffic control signal at the intersection of
Birchview Lane and Kennedy Road be considered in the context of the Town’s
overall program of providing traffic control signals for unsignalized
intersections (Attachment ‘A’), including consideration of warrant analysis
through the annual Capital Budget Program commencing in 2006;
And that the Region’s proposal to cost share with the Town a possible
traffic signal at Birchview Lane and Kennedy Road, on
a 50%:50% basis , be included as a consideration in determining the relative
priority for possible signalization, through the annual Capital Budget Program
commencing in 2006;
And that the Region of York be requested to synchronize 16th
Avenue signals to facilitate access to Aitken
Circle;
And that the Region of York be requested to prepare a
10 year implementation plan for signalization of Regional intersections in Markham;
And that a copy of this report be sent to Brian Harrison, Director of
Roads Transportation at the Region of York.
PURPOSE:
This report responds to a request from the Region to consider cost
sharing for traffic signals at the Birchview
Lane/Kennedy Road intersection to advance its
signalization to 2006.
BACKGROUND:
Residents in the Aitken Circle subdivision have
had concerns with respect to access to and from the Regional road system (see
Attachment A) for a number of years.
Given the volumes and speeds on both 16th
Avenue and Kennedy Road, residents have
indicated that it is difficult to enter and exit their community from these
roads. As part of the approval of the
Kylemore Homes development on the north side of 16th
Avenue west of Kennedy Road, staff worked with
residents, the developer and the Region to facilitate a solution. A memo from planning staff was presented at
the Committee of Whole meeting on December,
14, 2004 based on discussions with residents.
As noted on Attachment B, Council endorsed the recommendations and
requested the Region to consider traffic control signals at an aligned
intersection opposite Aitken Circle to provide access
to both the Kylemore Homes application and the residents on Aitken Circle. Council also requested the Region to consider
a traffic control signal at the Birchview
Lane/Kennedy Road intersection at their cost.
At their meeting on February 17, 2005 Regional Council
approved signals on 16th Avenue approximately 260 metres west of Kennedy Road at the developers
cost. This location does not align with Aitken Circle. Regional Council also recommended that a left
turn lane and traffic control signals be considered at the Birchview
Lane/Kennedy Road intersection subject to cost
sharing arrangements with the Town of Markham as noted in
Attachment C.
DISCUSSION:
Traffic signal warrants
Both the Town of Markham and the Region of York use traffic signal warrants
to determine the technical justification for the installation of traffic
control signals. The use of signal
warrants is an industry accepted practice to evaluate the technical need for
signals and to prioritize installation.
Signal warrants evaluate traffic volumes and collision history to
determine if signals are justified.
Typically, it is the traffic and pedestrian volume on the minor roadway
that dictates whether a signal is warranted.
The Region of York undertook a warrant study at the Birchview Lane/Kennedy Road intersection in September, 2003. The results showed that warrants 1 and 2 are
satisfied 22% and 12% respectively and therefore the intersection fails to meet
the minimum thresholds for the justification of traffic control signals.
Although the study was
undertaken in 2003, the results are considered valid since it is within the two
year period that is considered acceptable for traffic studies. While growth in the area has likely increased
volumes on Kennedy
Road, the critical volumes
to meet the warrant are the minor street volumes from Birchview Lane. Since the
community to the west has been a stable residential community, it is unlikely
there are changes in the volumes over the last two years that will affect a
significant change in warrants.
Comparison to
other intersections in Markham
The Region of York receives
many requests for traffic control signals in Markham. Attachment D
shows the number of intersections where signals have been requested and the
results of the warrant studies. As shown
on the table, there are a total of 40 intersections where signals are being
considered which will increase as development continues in the OPA #5 areas. Based on signal warrants, there are currently
36 intersections that would be ranked ahead of the Birchview Lane/Kennedy Road intersection.
It should be noted that this table only reflects the warrants. The Region will undertake further technical
assessments (i.e. proximity to other signals, sight lines and impacts to road
operations) before signals are considered for installation.
Birchview Lane/Kennedy Road - installation costs and potential cost sharing
Town staff have met with
Regional staff to discuss installation costs and potential for cost sharing as
requested by Regional Council. Regional
staff have advised that signals cannot be supported without a left turn lane on
Kennedy Road. The total
costs for both the left turn lane and the traffic control signal is
approximately $300,000. In the event
Council considers approval of the project, Town and Regional staff agreed that
it would be appropriate to consider a 50% cost sharing since the signal does
not meet warrants. The Town’s portion of
the costs will need to be funded from tax rate.
The approved 2005 budget does not have any allowances for this project.
Signals for Kylemore site
could improve egress from Aitken
Circle
As noted earlier, the Region
approved installation of signals 260 metres west of Kennedy Road on 16th Avenue at the planned access for the Kylemore application. When built this will result in a signal
approximately 100 metres west of Aitken Circle. The new
signal combined with synchronizing the existing signal at Kennedy Road should help to improve conditions for residents
exiting from Aitken
Circle. The new signal should be coordinated with the
signal at Kennedy
Road. When both signals stop traffic along 16th Avenue, it will offer more gap opportunities for residents
to exit onto 16th
Avenue.
The Region will minimize overnight operations in
residential areas and will focus evening and overnight operations in commercial
areas.
CONCLUSIONS:
Given the low threshold in
warrants, the high costs of signal installation and the number of other higher
priority locations in Markham, staff recommend the signal at the Birchview Lane/Kennedy Road intersection be considered as part of the 2006
Capital Budget program and a 10 year implementation plan for Regional
intersection signalization. As part of
the installation of the signals on 16th Avenue, the Region of York should synchronize
signals to facilitate access to Aitken
Circle.
Signal installations should be
prioritized based upon the warrants.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
There are no costs
associated with staff recommendations in this report. In the event Council approves the potential
cost sharing of this project, funding in the amount of approximately $150,000
will need to be allocated to the 2006 operating budget from the tax rate.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Context Plan
Attachment B – Town of Markham Council
Resolution, December 14, 2004
Attachment C – Regional Council Resolution February 17, 2005
Attachment D – Regional Intersection Warrants for Markham
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Alan Brown, C.E.T.
Director of Engineering
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Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Commissioner of Development Services
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P:\Development\Engineering\REPORTS\2005\May\Birchview Lane_Kennedy
Road.doc
Last printed 10/05/2005 10:29 AM
