Building a Better Toronto Together

Welcome

Bump-outs on Oakwood Ave.Between St. Clair Ave. & Rogers Rd.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016. Oakwood Village Library & Arts Centre

5 - 6:30 p.m. Public drop-in (view drawings & discuss with staff)6:30 - 8 p.m. Presentation followed by questions & answers

www.toronto.ca/oakwood-bump-outs

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IntroductionThe City of Toronto is considering the addition of up to seven "bump-outs" on Oakwood Avenue between St. Clair Avenue and Rogers Road.

This is a once in generation opportunity to improve this section of Oakwood Avenue as part of scheduled road resurfacing.

This consultation event and survey is in follow-up to the request for further public consultation on design options as discussed at the March 4, 2015 public meeting.

See survey and materials attoronto.ca/oakwood-bump-outs

Resurface

Bump-outs

Bump-outs

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Existing Conditions

South of Earlsdale Ave At Conway Ave

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Existing Conditions

Crosswalk south of Earlsdale Avenue Approach to Rogers Road - parking allowed at all times

Crosswalk at Conway Avenue Bus loading at the curb with vehicles passing

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What is a Bump-out?

Benefits of Bump-outs• Improves safety for pedestrians,

including children and the elderly:• Better visibility of pedestrians about

to cross• Shortens crossing distance • Reduces right side passing by

motorists• Discourages vehicle speeding

• Bump-outs with trees and other plants provide shade and beautify the street

Example of paved bump-out

Example of planted bump-out

Bump-outs, also known as curb extensions or pedestrian peninsulas, extend the sidewalk and creates new space for trees, bus shelters and other upgrades.

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Advantages Bump-outs at Bus Stops

• Space for bus shelters, benches and waste bins

• Places waiting area further away from adjacent houses

• Space for customers using wheelchairs and scooters to get on and off buses

• More attractive surrounding with landscaping and street furniture

• Allow buses to load passengers from the traffic lane, which means they are not delayed waiting to enter into the traffic lane

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Proposed Locations

These bump-out locations and designs have been selected by Transportation Services to improve safety at crosswalks, improve TTC bus stops, and provide new street trees, while still maintaining ample on-street parking spaces.

• One on the east side, about three doors south of Conway Ave. crosswalk, which will include a new TTC bus stop (adjacent to 207, 209 & 211 Oakwood Ave.)

• One south of Conway Ave. on the west side of the crosswalk, extend to include a new TTC bus stop (adjacent to 216-228 {even} on Oakwood Ave.)

• One with plantings north of Conway Ave. on the east side (231, 233,& 235 Oakwood Ave.)

• Two with plantings south of Earlsdale Ave. on either side of the crosswalk, including the existing west side TTC bus stop (adjacent to City park, 300-312 {even} and 295-305 {odd} Oakwood Ave.)

• One on the south-east side of Oakwood Ave. and EarlsdaleAve., including the existing east TTC bus stop (adjacent to 315, 317 & 317A Oakwood Ave.)

• One with plantings on the north-east side of Oakwood Ave. and Earlsdale Ave. (adjacent to 319 & 319A Oakwood Ave.)

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TTC Stop Consolidation

As part of an ongoing joint City-TTC initiative to improve the safety of pedestrians on city streets, the TTC intends to remove the bus stops at EarnscliffeRoad and Glenhurst Road, and replace them with one set of bus stops at Conway Avenue. This new location has the advantage of a pedestrian crosswalk, which will make it safer for people to cross to and from the bus stops.

This bus stop consolidation is an independent decision and not part of this bump-out consultation. See more information in theQuestion and Answers page

Bus stop location comments should be directed to TTC customer service: 416-393-4636 ttc.ca

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Minor Changes to On-street Parking

If bump-outs are approved, there would be a loss of about a dozen parking spaces, from the existing approximately 200 spaces on Oakwood Avenue, in the area of the new bump-outs. However, a few new spots will also be created where the existing TTC bus stops are to be consolidated (see TTC Stop Consolidation note on previous panel). Bus stops and crosswalks always prohibit parking on either side.

The current plan is to maintain the existing "No Parking" regulations: southbound 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., northbound 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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Comparing Road Volumes

Southbound AM Peak

PM Peak

Off-Peak High

Oakwood Nth of St. Clair 653 611 534

Oakwood Sth of St. Clair 602 530 466

Roncesvalles (2014) 364 351 284

Royal York Rd Nth of Bloor 719 895 811

Caledonia Nth of St. Clair 480 536 425

*Oakwood Nth of Rogers 669 900 504

Northbound AM Peak

PM Peak

Off-Peak High

Oakwood Nth of St. Clair 508 588 653

Oakwood Sth of St. Clair 416 539 498

Roncesvalles (2014) 278 281 334

Royal York Rd Nth of Bloor 707 752 702

Caledonia W of St. Clair 458 674 467

*Oakwood Nth of Rogers 909 857 545

East-West AM Peak

PM Peak

Off-Peak High

Rogers W of Oakwood -Eastbound 448 502 323

Rogers W of Oakwood -Westbound 458 515 431

*Parking allowed at all times

Comparable Traffic Volumes on Two Lane Roads

Classification ExampleLocal Roads• Provide access to property• Less than 2,500 vehicles per day• Low traffic speed• No bus routes

Stanmills Road

Collector Roads• Provide access to property and traffic movement• 2,500 to 8,000 vehicles per day• Less than 1,500 bus (or streetcar) passenger per day• Signalized intersections at arterial roads

Elmhurst Drive

Minor Arterial Roads• Traffic movement is a primary function• 8,000 to 20,000 vehicles per day• 1,500 to 5,000 bus passenger per day• Speed limits 40 to 60 km/hr• No “Stop” signs; traffic signals at intersections Gerrard Street East

Major Arterial Roads • Traffic movement is a primary function• Subject to access controls• Greater than 20,000 vehicles per day• Greater than 5,000 bus passengers per day• Speed limits 50 to 60 km/hr Yonge Street (North of St. Clair)

Toronto Expressway• Traffic movement is a primary function• Speed limits 80 to 100 km/hr• No local transit service• Pedestrians and cyclists prohibited• Grade-separated intersections (no traffic signals) F.G. Gardner Expressway

Oakwood Ave. is a Minor Arterial Road

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Minimal Impacts to Overall Traffic Flow

Transportation Services has carried out traffic counts, observations and real-life bump-out simulations (with parked vehicles in bump-out locations during rush hour) to confirm that bump-outs would not cause any sustained traffic back-ups.

In short, bump-outs affect traffic much like parked cars next to the travel lane. Currently there are parked cars on Oakwood Avenue (in the area of the proposed bump-outs) for 22 hours of the day during weekdays, including during peak traffic volumes, and are not a significant factor affecting traffic delays.

Examples of mid-block peak traffic flowing past parked

vehicles occupying lane space similar to how bump-outs would

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Volumes by Hour (at Conway Ave)

Southbound Northbound

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Minimal Impacts to Overall Traffic FlowOn Oakwood Avenue, delays are mainly experienced at the approach of Rogers Road and at St. Clair Avenue where drivers wait for the opportunity to turn at the traffic control signals. The proposed bump-outs are over 130 metres away from these intersections and should not change this situation.Near Rogers Road there is existing on-street parking all day.

Waiting Behind Stopped TTC BusesWith bump-outs at two bus stops in each direction, buses would stop to serve passengers in the traffic lane - drivers behind a stopped bus would be required to wait approximately 8 to 20 seconds before continuing.

No Changes to CrosswalksPedestrian crossing counts do not warrant the installation of any new traffic signals or changes to the locations of crosswalks, noting that the TTC intends to consolidate stops to near Conway Avenue where there is an existing crosswalk.

Example of traffic delays on approach of the signalized intersection at St. Clair Avenue during peak periods.

Bump-outs are not proposed in these approaches.

Pedestrian crossing counts (8 hours)

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Considerations for Cyclists

The section of Oakwood Avenue immediately north of St. Clair Avenue (south of GlenhurstAvenue) is not wide enough to accommodate bike lanes and still maintain its existing traffic functions.

Although bike lanes are not included in this proposal, the traffic lane next to the bump-outs will be at least 4.1 m wide, which provides adequate space for cycling next to vehicles.

In addition, the City's 10 Year Cycling Network Plan (to be approved in 2016) includes a continuous bikeway link on parallel Winona Drive, connecting to bikeways on Davenport Road and MarleeAvenue.

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Planting Area or Decorative PaversWhere there is opportunity, bump-outs will include street trees. Beyond the trees, where there is space, bump-outs could also include open planting areas. Such planting areas can add beauty and greenery to the street. Planting areas in the bump-outs would be serviced by the City a few times a year, but local residents would need to voluntarily maintain the plantings on a more day-to-day basis to ensure they are free of litter and looking their best.Canopy trees options include Maples, Honeylocusts, Basswoods and Elms. Shrubs could include ornamental grasses, Sedums/Flox, and low flowering shrubs.Alternatively the design could minimize open soil areas and instead install decorative permeable brick pavers, which allow stormwater to flow through.In any case, additional trees could may be planted in some front yards, if requested by property owners.

Trees within paved areas Open planting areas

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Three Main OptionsOption 1) No Bump-outsThere would be no changes to Oakwood Avenue roadway, other than resurfacing and sidewalk repairs. New transit accessibility standards (e.g. for wheelchair users) may require the City to expand the sidewalk into some residential front yards next to bus stops.

Pro • Faster construction

• Lower costs for construction & maintenance

• Drivers can pass stopped TTC busses

• Minor increase in on street parking space (assuming TTC stop consolidation)

Con • TTC buses possibly delayed when merging into traffic lane

• No improvements to safety for pedestrians

• 0 additional street trees planted on Oakwood Avenue

• No bus shelters at TTC stops (not enough available space)

• May need to expand the sidewalk into some residential front yards next to bus stops

Option 2) Bump-outs on West Side OnlyOnly two bump-outs would be installed, both on the west side (south bound). No change to the lanes on the east side (north bound).

Pro • Some improvements to safety for pedestrians, including 2 reduced crossing distance locations

• Approximately up to 5 additional street trees could be planted

• Southbound bus stops could include shelters or other upgrades

Con • Southbound drivers will on occasion be required to wait behind a stopped bus

• May need to expand the sidewalk into some residential front yards next to bus stops on east side

Option 3) Bump-outs on Both SidesThere would be seven bump-outs installed. Five bump-outs would include planting areas.

Pro • Significant improvements to safety for pedestrians, including 4 reduced crossing distance locations

• Approximately up to 13 additional street trees could be planted

• 4 bus stops could include shelters and/or other upgrades

• Improved TTC bus service (no merging required)

Con • Drivers will on occasion be required to wait behind a stopped bus

• Minor reduction in on-street parking

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Road Resurfacing & Sidewalk Improvements

Whether bump-outs are approved or not, the following work is planned for 2016:

• Road resurfacing: grinding and repaving the top 100mm of asphalt

• Repair broken/damaged sidewalk/curb to bring it into state of good repair

• Installation of new tactile walking surface indicators at intersections and cross-walks (required for the visually impaired)

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Next Steps• Receive feedback tonight and online up to January 17, 2016• Survey results will feature highly in the Transportation Services recommendations to Etobicoke York

Community Council, where a decision on these bump-outs will be made

• Finalize design and update residents

• Tender the project and hire a contractor

• Two weeks before construction, a Construction Notice will be issued with more details on when work will begin and stages of construction

Expected Construction Start Date: Summer 2016Expected Completion Date: Fall 2016

For More InformationTracy ManolakakisManager, Public Consultation Unit

Tel: 416-392-2990 E-mail: tmanola@toronto.ca toronto.ca/oakwood-bump-outs

TTC customer information: 416-393-4636

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