TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MINUTES

Tuesday, 2016 October 04

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

ABSENT:

Councillor Paul McDonell, Chair

Councillor James Wang, Member

Mr. Stephen Baron, Senior Citizen Representative

Mr. Terry Gomez, School Board Representative

Mr. Eric Laity, Citizen Representative

Mr. David Lengert, Coast Mountain Bus Company Representative

Ms. Jen Mezei, District Parent Advisory Council Representative

Mr. Nik Vizniak, Citizen Representative

Mr. Tom Webster, ICBC Representative

Councillor Pietro Calendino, Vice Chair

Mr. John Artuso, Citizen Representative

Mr. Cory Redekop, Burnaby Board of Trade

Mr. Ken Robb, Burnaby HUB Representative

STAFF:

Mr. Mark Dalsanto, Supervisor – Traffic Engineering

Mr. Stu Ramsey, Manager – Transportation Planning

S/Sgt. Gerard Sokolowski, Burnaby RCMP

Ms. Eva Prior, Administrative Officer

Ms. Nikolina Vracar, Administrative Officer

The Chair called the Open meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

2.

MINUTES

a)

Minutes of the Traffic Safety Committee Meeting

held on 2016 May 03                                                         

MOVED BY mr. laity

SECONDED BY mr. webster

THAT the minutes of the Open meeting of the Traffic Safety Committee held on 2016 May 03 be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DELEGATIONS

MOVED BY Ms. mezei

SECONDED BY mr. laity

THAT the delegations be heard.

 CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Vic Leach, Sapperton Old Age Pensioners Association

Re: Reflective Clothing and Pedestrian Safety                            

Mr. Vic Leach, representing Sapperton Old Age Pensioners Association, appeared before the Committee to provide information on reflective clothing standards and pedestrian safety. 

Mr. Leach informed the Committee that the United Nations has declared current decade as “Decade of Action for Road Safety”. 

The speaker noted that Sweden has one of the best road safety records in the world.  Comparisons of road safety figures for Sweden and BC show that Sweden with a population of 9.5 million citizens records 50 pedestrian deaths per year, whereas BC with a population of 4.5 million citizens records 58 pedestrian deaths annually.  The number of pedestrian deaths per year is also lower in Greater Stockholm (8.9 with a population of 2.2 million citizens) than in Greater Vancouver (26.6 with a population of 2.5 million citizens).  The speaker remarked that the difference in figures cannot be attributed to poor weather and periods of darkness alone as Sweden has poor weather and longer periods of darkness.  Mr. Leach advised that Sweden has implemented the “Vision Zero” traffic safety initiative, invested in educating the public about traffic safety, and lowered speed limits to 30 km/h on roads used by pedestrians, cars and bikes. 

Mr. Leach cited a City of Vancouver study which concluded that the average cost of a traffic accident is $234,000.  In the City of Burnaby there are 150 pedestrian accidents per year. 

The speaker noted that on average a halogen light covers a distance of 110 to 120 feet.  When a person is driving at 50 km/h they cover 100 feet in 2.5 seconds.  An additional 0.2 second is required for the vehicle’s mechanical reaction time. 

Mr. Leach advised that the Reflection for Pedestrian Safety Committee, which he chairs, is interested in establishing Canadian standards for reflection for pedestrians.  The Committee also wants to increase public’s awareness and create first responders’ education component on the topic.  The Committee has previously partnered with police enforcement on a project which demonstrated the importance of reflective clothing for pedestrian safety.    

Following the presentation, RCMP advised that during the last year there has been an 80% increase in pedestrian enforcement by Burnaby RCMP.  Jay walking continues to be the number one cause of accidents involving pedestrians.

The Committee thanked Mr. Leach for his informative presentation.

b)

Rakesh Dutt

Re: Street Lighting Issue - Holdom Avenue and Francis

Street                                                                                                

The delegation did not appear before the Committee.

4.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY Ms. Mezei

SECONDED BY mr. webster

THAT the correspondence be received.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

a)

Correspondence from Vic Leach

Re: Reflective Clothing and Pedestrian Safety

Correspondence was received from Mr. Vic Leach regarding reflective clothing standards and pedestrian safety.

Mr. Leach appeared as a delegation earlier in the meeting speaking to this subject.

b)

Correspondence from David B. Fairey

Re: Cyclist Safety in the Brentwood Town Centre Area

Correspondence was received from Mr. David Fairey expressing concerns for safety of cyclists in the Brentwood Town Centre area.  Mr. Fairey requested that the City of Burnaby requires construction companies to provide a traffic coned bike lane separated from the converged motor vehicle lanes when roadway curb lanes are blocked for construction purposes. 

Staff advised that construction companies submit a “Lane Closure Request” to the Engineering Department to obtain permission to close the curb lane in order

to conduct work.  Companies are required to provide the date and time of work and include detailed traffic control plans which must adhere to the Provincial regulations.  Curb lane closures on arterial roads are permitted between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.  In locations where there is an existing bike lane companies are required to maintain access to a bike lane during the time they perform work or identify a safe and acceptable alternatives. 

Staff noted that the location referenced by the writer does not have a designated bike lane, so a separated bike lane was not required as part of the temporary traffic control plan.

The Committee inquired about maintenance of sidewalks during construction work. 

Staff advised that if a sidewalk is blocked off for construction work, a detour sidewalk must be provided for pedestrians in the curb lane.

Staff undertook to relay this information to Mr. Fairey.

c)

Correspondence from Chantal Parisien

Re: Pedestrian Safety at Kingsway and MacPherson Avenue & Burlington Avenue and Imperial Street                                                    

Correspondence was received from Ms. Chantal Parisien expressing concerns for the safety of pedestrians at Kingsway and Macpherson Avenue as well as at Burlington Avenue and Imperial Street. 

RCMP advised that enforcement is conducted in the area. 

Staff advised that the pedestrian activated signal at Kingsway and MacPherson Avenue is synchronized with traffic signals at other intersections in the area.  The intersection is also equipped with a stop sign control for vehicles northbound on MacPherson Avenue.  Northbound drivers on MacPherson Avenue are required to come to a complete stop regardless of the signal displayed and must yield to pedestrians crossing.

Staff reported that as a result of redevelopment north of Imperial Street a pedestrian activated signal will be installed at Marlborough Avenue and Imperial Street. 

Staff undertook to relay this information to Ms. Parisien.

d)

Correspondence from Dr. Kristoffer Palma

Re: Pedestrian Safety at 16th Avenue Between Cariboo Road

and Cumberland Street                                                                           

Correspondence was received from Dr. Kristoffer Palma regarding safety of pedestrians crossing 16^th Avenue, between Cariboo Road and Cumberland Street.  Dr. Palma proposed several measures that could be taken to ensure safe pedestrian crossing and increased enforcement along 16^th Avenue. 

The Committee inquired whether a pedestrian crosswalk could be installed in the “natural crossing area” near the Cariboo Hill School Park. 

Staff undertook to investigate the feasibility of installing a pedestrian crosswalk. 

RCMP advised that the area is patrolled by officers and noted that during certain times of the year trees are blocking traffic signs. 

RCMP undertook to conduct further enforcement in the area.

Staff undertook to trim the trees blocking traffic signs and to correspond with Dr. Palma.

e)

Correspondence from Isobel Mackenzie, Office of the Seniors Advocate

Re: Increased Traffic Safety Initiatives for Senior Pedestrians

Correspondence was received from Ms. Isobel Mackenzie regarding increased safety initiatives targeted at senior pedestrians.  Ms. Mackenzie proposed several pedestrian-focused enhancements that would ensure the safety of senior citizens.  Proposed enhancements include: mechanisms to decrease crossing distances, increasing crossing times, improving pedestrian lighting, and modifying roadways, especially intersections, where most pedestrian accidents occur.

Staff undertook to correspond with Ms. Mackenzie.

f)

Correspondence from Jennifer Yamagata

Re: Traffic Safety Concerns on Forest Grove Drive

Correspondence was received from Ms. Jenny Yamagata expressing concerns over drivers speeding in the 9100 block of Forest Grove Drive.  Ms. Yamagata conveyed appreciation for staff posting 30 km/h speed limit signs and park zone signs in the area but advised that drivers are still speeding.  The writer suggested that a raised crosswalk be installed on the street.

RCMP have conducted enforcement in the area of 9100 block of Forest Grove Drive and advised that setting up a speed hump would be unsafe due to the configuration of the road. 

Staff noted that Forest Grove Drive is a major collector road.  

Arising from discussion, staff undertook to investigate if a pedestrian crosswalk in the area is warranted and correspond with Ms. Yamagata.

The Committee advised that there is a serious issue with busses speeding and passing through a red light near the intersection of Humphries Avenue and Edmonds Street. 

Staff undertook to correspond with the Coast Mountain Bus Company regarding bus drivers speeding.

g)

Correspondence from Paul Holden

Re: Pedestrian Safety Concerns on Beresford Street

Correspondence was received from Mr. Paul Holden expressing concerns for pedestrian safety on Beresford Street.  Mr. Holden encouraged the City of Burnaby to enforce the parking regulations in the area and ensure that the new construction site between Cassie Avenue and McKay Avenue is surrounded by safe sidewalks on all sides.

Subsequent correspondence was received from Mr. Holden in which he thanked staff for addressing some of the pedestrian safety concerns identified in the initial correspondence but noted that other issues (e.g., a blind corner on Beresford Street and Cassie Avenue, lack of sidewalk on Cassie Avenue, and non-working street lights on the north end of Cassie Avenue) still persist. 

Arising from discussion, the Committee introduced the following motion:

MOVED BY MR. LAITY

SECONDED BY MS. MEZEI

THAT this item of correspondence be REFERRED to staff for review.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Staff undertook to investigate Mr. Holden’s concerns and to correspond with the writer.

h)

Correspondence from Daniel Tiedeman

Re: Traffic Safety Concerns at Still Creek Drive and Still Creek Avenue Intersection                                                         

Correspondence was received from Mr. Daniel Tiedeman regarding traffic issues and pedestrian safety at Still Creek Drive and Still Creek Avenue intersection.  Mr. Tiedeman suggested posting of signs to indicate that Still Creek Drive is a single lane road and construction of an eight foot long concreate barrier with reflective signage to be located on the northeast side of the intersection. 

Staff advised that there is room to create two lanes on Still Creek Drive northbound at Still Creek Avenue – a straight through lane and a right turning lane.

Staff undertook to relay this information to Mr. Tiedeman.

i)

Memorandum from Deputy City Clerk

Re: 2016 July 26 Public Hearing, Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 1965, Amendment Bylaw No. 24, 2016 Bylaw No.13624 Rezoning Reference No. 15-14, 7062 Sperling Avenue                                     

Correspondence was received from Deputy City Clerk advising that correspondence was received from Mr. Philip Tan ahead of the 2016 July 26 Public Hearing regarding Rezoning Reference No. 15-14, 7062 Sperling Avenue.  Mr. Tan expressed concerns that a new fourplex would worsen the parking situation along Sperling Avenue and Arcola Streets.

Staff advised that developers of fourplex units are required to provide five parking stalls, one parking stall per unit and one visitor parking stall.  The same parking ratio has been used on numerous fourlplex developments across the City and staff have not received any neighborhood parking complaints. 

Staff undertook to contact the writer and explain the requirement for parking stalls. 

5.

NEW BUSINESS

Tom Webster

Mr. Webster, ICBC Representative, announced that the 2016 Pedestrian Safety Campaign will launch on 2016 October 18.  ICBC will hand out reflectors focusing on locations where there is a greater occurrence of pedestrian safety incidents.

Ms. Mezei inquired about handing out of reflectors to students.

Mr. Webster advised that at this time ICBC is targeting key locations for traffic incidents involving pedestrians.

6.

INQUIRIES

There were no inquiries brought forward at this time.

7.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY mr. laity

SECONDED BY ms. mezei 

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

________________________

________________________

Nikolina Vracar

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Paul McDonell

CHAIR