REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: April 24, 2017 Report No. EPW-17-016
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 1246
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council approve Traffic Order 1246 that existing “Yield” sign on Grenville Avenue (west leg) at Woodway Road be replaced with a “Stop” sign and road markings at the same location and that a stop sign be installed on Woodway Road (east leg), and that Traffic Order 358 be rescinded.
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 (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 and make recommendations to modifications. For this location, this concern was also identified by a resident to Engineering.
The location in question is the intersection of Grenville Avenue and Woodway Road. This intersection is created by the meeting of a driveway entrance, Grenville Avenue and Woodway Road. The major legs of this intersection are the south leg of Grenville Avenue and west leg of Woodway Road. The north leg of Grenville Avenue and east leg of Woodway Road are the minor legs. It was identified to have a high priority for action in the Report. The recommendation is that the yield sign located on Grenville Avenue (west leg) be changed from a yield sign to a stop sign, and that a stop sign be installed on Woodway Road (east leg). See Attachment A for location map and Traffic Order.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
The use of yield signs at an intersection is used to allow drivers to coast through an intersection unless there is another vehicle. If this is the case, the driver with the yield sign is required to stop. This intersection is unusual as the major legs are constituted by the ones that are 90 degrees to each other. These legs do carry the majority of the traffic on the street and should have priority when accessing the intersection.
The north leg of Grenville Avenue currently has a yield sign on it with the east leg of Woodway Road having no signage at all. By installing stop signs this provides a clear message to drivers to their responsibilities for this intersection. The stops signs on the minor legs will also benefit the drivers on these legs in coming to full stop before entering the intersection as this would allow them better to assess the state of the intersection before entering it.
The Report’s recommendation and Staff’s opinion is that the yield sign on Grenville Avenue (north leg) at the intersection of Woodway Road be replaced with a stop sign and that a stop sign be installed on Woodway Road (east leg).
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 Grenville Avenue (west leg) and Woodway Road (east leg). 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 is 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 device where it is appropriate. These tabs will remain for approximately 6 months to assist residents adjust to the new traffic control device. The change in traffic control would also be forwarded to Vic PD.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. That Council approve Traffic Order 1246 that existing “Yield” sign on Grenville Avenue (west leg) at Woodway Road be replaced with a “Stop” sign and road markings at the same location and that a stop sign be installed on Woodway Road (east leg), and that Traffic Order 358 be rescinded.
2. That Council does not approve Traffic Order 1246 that existing “Yield” sign on Grenville Avenue (west leg) at Woodway Road be replaced with a “Stop” sign and road markings at the same location and that a stop sign be on Woodway Road (east leg), and that Traffic order 358 be rescinded.