REPORT TOMAYOR AND COUNCIL
PRESENTED:
MAY 4, 2009 - SPECIAL MEETING
REPORT:
09-61
FROM:
ENGINEERING DIVISION
FILE:
5400-20-01
SUBJECT:
16 AVENUE AND ZERO AVENUE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION(S):
That
Council receive the “16 Avenue and Zero Avenue Traffic Conditions Update” report; and further
That
Council authorize traffic signal installation at 216 Street and 16 Avenue.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The role, function, and safety of both the 16 Avenue and Zero Avenue corridors have been thesubject of several safety studies and a significant consultation process. Safety improvements havebeen implemented on these corridors including: signage, rumble strips, flashing beacons, RCMPradar pull out bays, road markings, left turn bays, traffic signals, and raised intersections.The collision history, traffic volumes, and traffic speeds were examined for both corridors. There isan increasing trend in the number of collisions on 16 Avenue that is likely due to increased trafficvolume. When compared to other locations within the Township, the number of collisions atintersections on 16 Avenue is relatively low. There is no discernable pattern in the number ofcollisions on Zero Avenue.With the exception of the period of time when the Fraser Highway was under construction,16 Avenue has maintained a growth rate consistent with regional growth. The traffic volume onZero Avenue dropped by 800 vehicles per day following the installation of raised intersections. Thevehicle travel speeds on 16 Avenue appear to be relatively consistent over the past several years.The travel speeds on Zero Avenue between the raised intersections appears to be relativelyunchanged; however, there has been a reduction in travel speeds at the intersections.The Traffic Association of Canada recognizes that traffic signals and roundabouts are both nationallyaccepted methods for traffic control. At 216 Street and 16 Avenue, due to issues involved in futureexpansion of 16 Avenue, capital costs, and the need to implement controls in this constructionseason, Engineering recommends the construction of a signalized intersection.The Zero Avenue corridor has been classified as a local road, but has a role and function similar to aminor collector. The 16 Avenue corridor is classified as an arterial route, which is consistent withneighbouring municipalities. Future upgrades and connections are planned for 16 Avenue in bothSurrey and Abbotsford, while nothing is planned for Zero Avenue. There are connectivity issues withZero Avenue at the Highway 13 border crossing that limit its ability to act as an east/west corridor.As part of the Major Road Network (MRN), 16 Avenue is eligible for 100% of the operating andmaintenance costs and up to 50% of the capital upgrade costs. Any costs incurred on Zero Avenueare 100% the responsibility of the Township.
16 AVENUE AND ZERO AVENUE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS UPDATEPage 2 . . .
PURPOSE:
To provide historic and current information on the safety and performance of Zero Avenue and16 Avenue, confirm upgrades to be implemented in 2009, and to obtain Council authority to installtraffic signals at 16 Avenue and 216 Street.
16 AVENUE AND ZERO AVENUE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS UPDATEPage 3 . . .
BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
Improving safety of both the Zero Avenue and 16 Avenue corridors has been important to theTownship for several years. An ICBC sponsored safety study on 16 Avenue was conducted in1995, and updated in 1999. Toward improving safety on Zero Avenue following the paving of apreviously unpaved portion of the road in the 1990’s, the Township undertook an ICBCsponsored corridor safety study in 2002. There was also a study on the impact of the proposedsafety measures on traffic volumes and potential diversion of traffic to 16 Avenue. Attachment Asummarizes the previous safety improvements and initiatives undertaken on both Zero Avenueand 16 Avenue.
Classification and Function:
The 16 Avenue corridor has been identified as a major “Grid Road” since 1980. The Township’sHighway Classification Map has identified 16 Avenue as an arterial road in the 1986, 1992,1998, and 2004 updates of the map. The current draft Master Transportation Plan identifies16 Avenue as an arterial road. It has been constructed to a typical 2-lane rural standard withpaved shoulders. There have been several intersection improvements implemented over thepast six to seven years to address capacity and safety improvements.
The Traffic Association of Canada recognizes that traffic signals and roundabouts are both nationallyaccepted methods for traffic control. At 216 Street and 16 Avenue, due to issues involved in futureexpansion of 16 Avenue, higher capital costs, and the need to implement controls in thisconstruction season, Engineering recommends the construction of a signalized intersection.
The Zero Avenue corridor has been identified in the Township’s Highway Classification Map asa “local road”. As a result, it is intended to carry relatively low volumes of traffic. The currentdraft Master Transportation Plan identifies Zero Avenue as a minor collector road due to theconnectivity that it provides to the east and west. It is primarily constructed to a 2-lane countryroad standard with no paved shoulders. It is not designed or constructed to carry significantvolumes of traffic.
Consultation Activities:
Because Zero Avenue and 16 Avenue are parallel east-west corridors within the Township,there is a potential diversion of traffic from one corridor to another due to safety improvementsbeing undertaken. In order to mitigate these concerns, the Township has undertaken significanttechnical analysis and public and council consultation on the proposed improvements. Theconsultation process included Council reports, memos, letters, and presentations to Council aswell as public meetings, a public workshop, and feedback questionnaires. Attachment Bprovides a summary of the many of the formal consultation activities undertaken.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Township staff reviewed the effectiveness of the raised intersection on both the safety ofZero Avenue and the impact to 16 Avenue. It is common practice to evaluate safetyimprovements after their installation when sufficient time has passed to allow for trends orpatterns to emerge. Three years of post implementation data are now available for the raisedintersections on Zero Avenue, completed in the spring of 2005. The typical type of datacollected is collision history, traffic volumes, and vehicle speeds. Attachment C summarizes theavailable collision data for both corridors.
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SP3-Zero Avenue Update
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