Public Works
Telephone (905) 468-3278
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3 Lorraine Strret
P.O. Box 100
Virgil, Ontario
L0S 1T0

Submitted on:
April 28, 2014
Report:PW-14-023

Report To:Public Works Advisory Committee
Subject:Intersection Control Investigation at Griffiths Gate & Wright Crescent


1. RECOMMENDATION

It is respectfully recommended

1.1 That Council approve the installation of a stop sign on Griffiths Gate at Wright Crescent, facing southbound Griffiths Gate traffic.

1.2 That the Town Clerk be directed to amend the Traffic and Parking By-law 4308-09 to provide for a stop sign on Griffiths Gate at Wright Crescent, facing southbound Griffiths Gate traffic.

1.3 That the change in traffic control at this intersection take place following passage of the by-law and upon a notice being placed in the local newspaper and the appropriate signs and markings being in place.

2. PURPOSE / PROPOSAL

The purpose of this report is to advise on the findings of a traffic investigation conducted at the intersection of Griffiths Gate and Wright Crescent as referred by a resident, and to recommend the appropriate intersection control at that location.

3. BACKGROUND

A resident referral has been received by the Town concerning frequent near misses at the intersection of Griffiths Gate and Wright Crescent in Niagara-on-the-Green. The referral notes that the intersection is currently uncontrolled and that the possibility of an adverse incident (possibly involving children) is increased due to obstructed sightlines caused by vehicles parking on all legs of the intersection and fronting the parkette opposite Griffiths Gate. Also noted as potentially problematic is a school bus stop fronting the parkette on Wright Crescent.

Citing concern that the hazards noted above would be exacerbated by traffic loads generated by The Outlet Collection at Niagara and further subdivision development to the west, the referral requests all-way stop control at the intersection of Griffiths Gate and Wright Crescent.



4. DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS

As illustrated in Attachment A, Griffiths Gate at Wright Crescent is a "T" intersection, currently uncontrolled. Site plans for the subdivision call for a stop-control on Griffiths Gate facing southbound Griffiths Gate traffic. Both roadways are classified as local residential roadways with a speed limit of 50 km/hr. There is a parkette located on the south side of Wright Crescent opposite Griffiths Gate, with sidewalks fronting the parkette and on the east side of Griffiths Gate.

Four site observations conducted at various times of the day and days of the week since receipt of the referral indicated that traffic volumes in this still-developing subdivision are too low to justify the expense of a full traffic speed and volume analysis. It was noted that due to ongoing construction activity, many of the vehicles transiting the subject intersection were construction or service vehicles not representative of normal traffic load.

Recent traffic volumes for Wright Crescent are available from a count conducted in 2013, while projected volumes for Griffiths Gate are enumerated in a "Traffic Impact Study" provided for The Outlet Collection at Niagara. Projected traffic volumes for Griffiths Gate remain constant between 2014 and 2024 since it is not signalized at Glendale Ave., connects Glendale to streets internal to the subdivision, and is not expected to attract through traffic.

Warrant Conditions
(all to be met)
Minimum Requirement
2013/2014
Traffic Volumes
Total Peak Hour Traffic Volume
(vehicles per hour)
> 500 vehicles per hour
72 vph
(2013 actual + 2014 projected)
Minor Street Peak Hour Volume*
(vehicles per hour)
>200 vehicles per hour
35 vph
(2014 projected)
Volume Split (major: minor road)
less than 70:30
51:49
*Although both streets carry nearly equal traffic volumes, Griffiths Gate has been identified as the minor road

The intersection does not meet the minimum warrants for all-way stop control. High collision rates may justify the installation of any all-way stop at locations where the minimum traffic warrants are not met. However, a search of the Town's database shows no reportable collisions at the subject intersection in the past 3 years. Accordingly, the Griffiths Gate leg of the intersection should be controlled as noted on the approved site plan with a stop sign facing southbound Griffiths Gate traffic at Wright Crescent.

It was noted on all site visits that vehicles parked crowding the intersection on the north side of Wright Crescent and fronting the parkette on the south side make visibility of oncoming traffic difficult for vehicles and pedestrians. Under Parking and Traffic By-Law 4308-09 the Town may prohibit parking within 20 metres of an intersection without an amendment of the by-law. Accordingly, to improve sight lines at the intersection the Department of Public Works will be installing "No Parking" signs fronting the parkette on the south side of Wright Crescent, 10 metres on either side of the intersection on the north side, and on both sides of Griffiths Gate.


An unmarked school bus stop is located on the south side of Wright Cres. at the west end of the parkette, with a sidewalk flanking the stop. Discussion with the Transportation Division of the School Board has satisfied the Town that this is the most appropriate location for a school bus stop in that area of the subdivision, Although generating some north-south pedestrian crossings at the subject intersection, a stopped school bus does not impede the sight lines of southbound Griffiths Gate traffic. Vehicles on Wright Cres. are obliged to stop for the school bus and crossing pedestrians. Therefore no change in the location of the school bus stop is contemplated at this time. 5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The installation of one stop sign and a "New" tab is estimated to cost $350.00. A painted stop bar will add approximately $100.00 to the cost of this installation if done as a call-in, or $25.00 if done at the time of fall line painting. Installation of the 8 parking prohibition signs required to delineate the 10 metres clearance at the corners, fronting the parkette and on both sides of Griffiths Gate is estimated to cost $1,200. Sufficient funds are available within the appropriate road maintenance accounts for this purpose.

6. COMMUNICATIONS

If approved, the Department of Public Works will advise residents about the changed intersection stop condition through notices in the local newspaper and on the Town's website. All drivers will be notified of the change in intersection control through a "New" warning tab placed on the same post as the stop sign. Drivers will be notified of the change in parking control by the installation of "No Parking" signs.

The Department of Public Works would also notify the Niagara Regional Police of the changed stop condition.

7. CONCLUSION

The intersection does not meet the minimum warrants for an all-way stop. There are no over-riding considerations such as a high incidence of collisions which would justify the installation of stop signs on Wright Crescent. Implementing the planned stop sign on Griffiths Gate and regulating parking adjacent to the intersection should provide the desired visibility and safety improvements.

Public Works will conduct a coordinated traffic count on all legs of the intersection once the subdivision development is complete to determine whether traffic volumes have increased sufficiently to warrant an all-way stop.












Prepared by,



Marci Weston
Engineering Technologist (Traffic)



Respectfully submitted,






E.J. Kuczera, M.Sc. P.Eng Mike Galloway, MBA, CMO
Director of Public Works Chief Administrative Officer



ATTACHMENTS
Attachement A to PW-23-14.pdf



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