STAFF REPORT ACTION REQUIRED Speed limit increase – East, between River Street and Broadview Avenue

Date: May 26, 2011

To: and East York Community Council

From: Acting Director, Transportation Services Toronto and East York District

Wards: Toronto Centre-Rosedale, Ward 28, Toronto-Danforth, Ward 30

Reference Ts2011131te.top.doc Number:

SUMMARY

Transportation Services is responding to a request from Councillor Fletcher to report on the feasibility of raising the maximum speed limit from 40 to 50 km/h on Gerrard Street East, between River Street and Broadview Avenue. An assessment of the vehicle operating speeds, collision history, and streetscape characteristics, along this section of Gerrard Street East indicates that consideration could be given to raising the maximum speed limit.

RECOMMENDATIONS Transportation Services recommends that:

1. City Council rescind the 40 km/h maximum speed limit on Gerrard Street East, between River Street and Broadview Avenue.

Financial Impact Funding for the adjustment of speed limit signs in the estimated amount of $500.00 is available within Transportation Services 2011 Operating Budget.

ISSUE BACKGROUND Transportation Services staff reviewed the feasibility of raising the 40 maximum speed limit on the subject section of Gerrard Street East in response to a request from Councillor Paula Fletcher (Ward 30) on behalf of a resident.

The section of Gerrard Street East between River Street and Broadview Avenue is located within Wards 28 and 30. Transportation Services consulted with Councillor

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Pam McConnell (Ward 28) on this matter and she is not in favour of raising the 40 km/h maximum speed limit.

Transportation Services has been asked by Councillor Fletcher to submit a report to Toronto and East York Community Council so that this matter may be considered by the full Community Council.

COMMENTS Gerrard Street East is an east/west minor arterial road that extends between and Clonmore Drive (Scarborough). The maximum speed limit on Gerrard Street East between Yonge Street and Broadview Avenue is 40 km/h. The maximum speed limit on Gerrard Street East between Broadview Avenue and Coxwell Avenue is 50 km/h.

Key characteristics describing Gerrard Street East, between River Street and Broadview Avenue, include:

a pavement width of approximately 14-15 metres, two traffic lanes in each direction, plus curbside bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides;

a bridge over the Don Valley Parkway;

TTC streetcar service within the centre lanes; and

a pedestrian crossover (PXO) is located near the east end of the bridge at the St. Matthews Road/Blackburn Street intersection. (the PXO is to be removed sometime in 2012 and traffic control signals installed as part of the Bridgepoint Health/Don Jail site redevelopment plan).

Transportation Services conducted a speed study on the subject section of Gerrard Street East in October 2010 and found the operating speed, the speed at which 85 percent of vehicles travel at or below, to be 56 km/h. The average speed was found to be approximately 48 km/h. The study results indicate that the majority of motorists are travelling at speeds greater than the posted 40 km/h maximum speed limit.

Experience has shown that most motorists tend to travel at speeds dictated by the physical characteristics of a roadway and the surrounding environment, rather than simply by signage indicating the legally prescribed speed limit. The 85th percentile speed of free flowing traffic is frequently used by municipalities as a basic factor in establishing a safe operating speed (speed limit). Other factors that are considered when determining safe operating speeds include various streetscape characteristics such as the width and geometry (curves, slopes) of the road, adjacent land uses (schools, parks), number of pedestrians, cyclists, the presence of sidewalks, on-street parking, driveway ramps, etc. The speed-related collision history of the roadway is also taken into consideration.

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A review of collision records for the three-year period ending September 15, 2010, for Gerrard Street East, between River Street and Broadview Avenue, did not find any reported speed-related collisions.

Based on the results of the recent speed study and collision history, coupled with the streetscape characteristics of Gerrard Street East between River Street and Broadview Avenue, consideration could be given to raising the speed limit from 40 to 50 km/h on this section of Gerrard Street East to better represent the speeds currently travelled by motorists.

Without strict enforcement, motorist compliance with the existing 40 km/h maximum speed limit is doubtful. It could be argued that road safety could actually be compromised, as an artificially low speed limit could encourage a wider range of speeds which is potentially even more problematic than a more consistent, higher speed profile.

CONTACT Brian Holditch, Transportation Technologist Traffic Operations, Toronto and East York District Telephone: 416-338-5428 Fax: 416-392-1920 e-mail: [email protected]

SIGNATURE

Angie Antoniou, Acting Director Transportation Services Toronto and East York District

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS (1) Drawing No. 421G-0369, dated May 2011 (2) Drawing No. 421G-0370, dated May 2011

P:\2011\Cluster B\TRA\Toronto and East York District\TOP\ts2011131te.top.docx – cag

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