REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: April 24, 2017 Report No. EPW-17-015
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Jeff Miller, Director of Engineering and Public Works
SUBJECT:
Title
Implementation of Traffic Control Review Project Recommendations - Traffic Order 1245
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council approve Traffic Order 1245 that “Stop” sign and road markings be installed on Kingsmill Road at the intersection of Parklands Drive.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw, 2005, No. 2607
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Healthy and Liveable Community - ensure multi-modal traffic strategies consider and reflect business and residential growth and development
Well Managed and Maintained Infrastructure - identify infrastructure repair and proactively plan for replacement needs
BACKGROUND:
In early 2016, the Township received a Traffic Control Review report (Staff Report EPW-16-001). This Report was sponsored by ICBC and the Township with the work being completed by a professional engineer/traffic engineer with an external consultant. The objective of the Project was to undertake a comprehensive review of traffic signs and road markings within the Township of Esquimalt.
The location in question is the intersection of Kingsmill Road and Parklands Drive. This is a “Y” intersection with no traffic controls on Kingsmill Road and Parklands Drive legs. It was identified to have a high priority for action in the Report. The recommendation is that a stop sign and road markings be installed on Kingsmill Road. See Attachment A for location map and Traffic Order.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
The “Y” intersection of Kingsmill Road at Parklands Drive is currently uncontrolled. This can lead drivers traveling on all three legs to assume that they are travelling on a continuous through road and that they have the right of way in the intersection. This assumption also invites drivers to operate vehicles at higher speeds through the intersection.
By the geometry of the road, the Parkland Drive legs of the intersection act as the major legs of the intersection with Kingsmill becoming the minor leg. Also, just prior to the “Y” intersection on the Kingsmill leg, a transit stop has been located. By applying the stop sign to this leg, there would be synergy with the movement of the buses.
The Report’s recommendation and Staff’s opinion is the addition of a stop sign on the Kingsmill Road leg of the intersection is the appropriate traffic control for this location. It is anticipated that the addition of the stop sign at this intersection will provide drivers with visual information as to who has the right of way, lower the speed of vehicles and thus increase the overall safety of the intersection.
2. Organizational Implications
The proposed Traffic Order would be prepared by Engineering and signed by the Corporate Officer and the Director of Engineering and Public Works. Public Works would then install the stop signage and road markings on Kingsmill Road. The Traffic Order would also be forwarded to Victoria Police Department (Vic PD). These activities will not impose any significant organizational implications.
3. Financial Implications
The Traffic Order and implementation can be accommodated within the current operational budgets for the various departments that will be involved in the issuing of the Traffic Order.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no sustainability or environmental implications to the Traffic Order. An increased level of safety will be achieved due to the traffic control.
5. Communication & Engagement
Once a traffic order has been approved, this information will be posted to the Township’s website and other social media forums. At the locations “new” tabs will be installed on the traffic control devices where it is appropriate. These tabs will remain for approximately 6 months to assist residents adjust to the new traffic control devices. The change in traffic control would also be forwarded to Vic PD.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council approve Traffic Order 1245 that “Stop” sign and road markings be installed on Kingsmill Road at the intersection of Parklands Drive.
2. That Council not approve Traffic Order 1245 that “Stop” sign and road markings be installed on Kingsmill Road at the intersection of Parklands Drive.