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New Safety for Children of William Armstrong Public School

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT School Crossing Guard service be established at the intersection of Wootten Way and Major Buttons Drive until June 2004.

AND THAT signage within the designated School Zone be changed to properly reflect existing School Zone design standards.

AND THAT staff review the feasibility of a sidewalk on the east side of Wootten Way, between the north and south legs of Senator Reesor’s Drive and report back to Committee with recommendations on the sidewalk and overall school Crossing Guard service in the area before June 2004.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to recommend to Council that a crossing guard be assigned to the intersection of Wootten Way and Major Buttons Drive.

BACKGROUND:

The Town received a separate petition from residents requesting school crossing guard service at Wootten Way and Senator Reesor’s Drive and Wootten Way and Major Buttons Drive. Crossing Guard service has since been established at Wootten Way and Senator Reesor’s Drive. At the request of the William Armstrong School Parent Council, further investigations were conducted to assess the need for school crossing guard service at the intersection of Wootten Way and Major Buttons Drive and any additional safety measures that may be required.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

In response to the petition, the following studies were conducted:

• Gap Time Studies

• Wootten Way and Major Buttons Drive

• Major Buttons Drive and James Speight Road

• Effectiveness of the School Zone on Major Buttons Drive

• Assessment of sidewalk requirement on the east side of Wootten Way, between the north and south legs of Senator Reesor’s Drive

Gap Time Studies

To determine the need for School Crossing Guard service at a given location, the Engineering Department conducts a gap time study and applies the results to the School Crossing warrant criteria in accordance with the provincial guidelines established by the Ministry of Transportation and the Ontario Traffic Conference. A gap time study was conducted at the intersections of Wootten Way and Major Buttons Drive, and Major Buttons Drive and James Speight Road. The study results indicate that the technical warrant has been met at Wootten Way and Major Buttons Drive. However, the intersection of Major Buttons Drive and James Speight Road did not meet the warrant for an adult crossing guard, but meets the warrant for safety patroller. Safety patrollers are older students who are trained by the Police to assist younger students cross at formal crossing locations. William Armstrong P.S. has assigned a safety patroller at this intersection. Pavement markings for the crosswalk are in place to clearly indicate the crossing location.

School Zone Assessment

An assessment of the School Zone adjacent to William Armstrong Public School has concluded that the existing parking signage is unclear and is causing operational issues on Major Buttons Drive. It is recommended that parking signage be changed to reflect current School Zone standards to ensure traffic is operating safely and effectively on Major Buttons Drive. Police will be requested to enforce the restrictions, upon installation of the new signs.

Sidewalk Assessment

Upon approval of crossing guard service at Wootten Way and Major Buttons Drive, there will be three crossing guards assisting students in crossing Wootten Way. If a sidewalk were to be installed on the east side of Wootten Way, between the north and south legs of Senator Reesor’s Drive, the pedestrian crossing needs could be limited to one or two crossing guards. The extension of the existing sidewalk from Senator Reesor’s Drive (north leg) will also address increased future pedestrian volumes facilitated by the proposed rapid transit stations at Highway 7 and Wootten Way.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Crossing Guard Service

The cost of a Crossing Guard at Wootten Way and Major Buttons Drive is $6,100 per annum (calculated at $15.56, inclusive of the 3% GST, X 2 shifts X 196 days). This cost can be absorbed within the proposed 2004 budget for school crossing guards.

Sidewalk Installation

The cost of installing the proposed sidewalk, including utility relocations would be approximately $32,500. The cost can be absorbed within the 2004 capital budget. The sidewalk could eliminate the need for one or two crossing guards. Therefore, the payback period for the sidewalk would be between 3 to 5 years. Staff will review with abutting residents and report back to Committee with detailed costs and public response.

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