No guarantee Hamilton’s waterfront trail will open this summer

Jul 26, 2017 by Matthew Van Dongen  Hamilton Spectator

Uncertainty over the extent of flood damage to Hamilton's waterfront trail means there is no guarantee the popular path will reopen this summer.

The mystery timeline has upset users of one of the city's most popular trails and forced the relocation of cycling and running scheduled as far ahead as September.

Record spring water levels flooded large swaths of the trail in April, prompting the city to fence off the paved path between Princess Point and Bayfront Park.

Water levels have since receded — spurring pointed questions from residents as well as trespassing — but not enough for the city to assess damage to the trail caused by flooding and pounding waves.

"We know people are impatient, we are getting all those questions. We hope to have the answers soon," said parks manager Kara Bunn, who is waiting on a final assessment and recommendations from consultant Shoreplan Engineering. "But we know for sure some sections are unsafe."

The Spectator paddled alongside and, at one point, over top the trail Tuesday to eyeball the damage.

The only remaining drowned section of paved trail includes several metres curving around Cootes Paradise and across from Princess Point.

But asphalt is clearly crumbling into Hamilton Harbour at several locations between the mouth of the Desjardins Canal and the temporary gate near Bayfront Park. In a few spots, the water has clearly undermined the path, despite temporary canvas barriers and sandbags visible along the shoreline.

That hasn't stopped people from hopping the fence at either end of the trail — or cutting holes in the gate, an option clearly on display at Princess Point Tuesday.

At least 70 people were recorded passing an automatic counter along a closed section of trail near Bayfront Park on a recent Sunday evening, for example.

Regular trail cyclist Randy Kay said he would feel less frustrated about the closure if the city would provide progress updates or timelines.

"There's been very little communication, which is pretty surprising given how much use this trail gets," he said.

The city's own website suggests the section of trail from Princess Point through the Desjardins canal sees about 6,670 trips in a "peak week," for example.

"Whether you look at it from a commuter standpoint or a recreational standpoint, it is just such an important part of our (cycling) infrastructure," he said.

The city believes it will cost more than $1 million to fix the trail, but isn't otherwise ready to publicly guess at specific repair costs or timelines.

But the organizer of upcoming MEC cycling and running races slated for two weekends in late September has been forced to reroute several hundred athletes away from the waterfront trail.

"It's a shame, because it's such a beautiful location. People look forward to it," said co-ordinator Ryan Brown, who had to relocate the Bayfront Breezer running race to the Dundas Valley and reroute cyclists on the Century Ride through Hamilton onto parallel streets near the water.

"But really, it's just as tough for all active Hamiltonians, because this trail is just such a hub of activity."

Kay said he'd love for the city to consider opening the trail in instalments, or with temporary safety fencing around damaged areas, rather than waiting for a permanent fix.

The city is looking at that option, but there are no guarantees, Bunn said.

She said the consultant will provide drawings of possible permanent or temporary solutions depending on the extent of the damage. It's taken a long time to evaluate the flood and wave-pounding erosion because the water levels remain high.

"It's a wide path, but it's also one that is used at a fairly high speed," she said, pointing to cyclists and in-line skaters who travel in both directions. "We need to know what we have room to do safely."


mvandongen@thespec.com
905-526-3241 | @Mattatthespec

The future of parking at McMaster University: audio from CFMU 93.3fm

TLC initiated a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan for McMaster University, with the McMaster Institute on Transportation and Logistics taking on the TDM planning with support from McMaster administration.

On the campus radio show Morningfile on 93.3 CFMU, Terry Sullivan of McMaster parking, and Mathias Sweet of MITL talk about the process.

Car Free Hamilton

car free day in Hamilton, 2000 style!

The City of Hamilton is hosting Car Free Events this year, as TLC hands off control of something we started in 2000 as a grassroots protest/celebration, and grew into a week of car-free events.

H Magazine recently interviewed long-time TLC volunteer Randy Kay about the history of Car Free in Hamilton. Check out the interview here.

So this WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, take a day off from your car, and have some fun in the streets! And of course, Super Crawl on Saturday, September 25, and Open Streets, Sunday, September 26.

PLEASE REGISTER YOUR CAR-FREE COMMUTE: HERE!

Gloves off on Hatt?

Collision reignites calls for Hatt improvements

Recommended traffic calming study has not yet started


Craig Campbell, Dundas Star News Staff
Published on Jun 24, 2010


Calls for a Hatt Street traffic calming study recommended in the Downtown Dundas Transportation Master Plan are being renewed after a 12-year-old boy was seriously injured in a collision last week.

But it's not clear when work will begin on calming Hatt Street traffic and making the Dundas route safer for pedestrians and cyclists, as local residents have been demanding for more than three years.

Hamilton police say the driver of a Ford F-150 pick-up truck that struck the boy on Hatt near John Street on June 17 will likely not be charged.

“It appears the child ran into the road,” Detective Hendrik Vandercraats of the collision reconstruction unit said.

The boy’s condition was downgraded from critical to serious, according to Vandercraats.

Police reported last week the truck was heading eastbound on Hatt and had just passed John when the boy ran from the south sidewalk into the side of the vehicle.

The injuries were originally described as “life-threatening”.

“He’s not critical anymore,” Vandercraats said Monday. “He still has serious head injuries.”

The final report of the Downtown Dundas Transportation Master Plan, dated November 2009, recommends a traffic calming study on a 750- metre stretch of Hatt Street, between Market and Ogilvie, “to reduce vehicle speeds and provide additional pedestrian crossing spaces (if warranted)."

But the recommended study, which would include the area around the Hatt and John intersection, has apparently not started.

Randy Kay, of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group Transportation for Livable Communities, encourages walking and cycling and traffic calming. He said some sort of traffic control at a mid-point along this uncontrolled stretch of Hatt Street would fit with TLC's goals.

"Without knowing all the details of this (accident), it's safe to say that traffic calming on Hatt is way overdue," Kay said. "That there are still no bike lanes on the street -itself a low cost traffic calming measure -speaks to an inertia to complete even fairly simple projects. It should be a no-brainer."

He said a growing retirement community along Hatt Street, and the presence of children in family townhouses and homes, both support a growing demand for safe and comfortable walking and cycling routes along Hatt.

Although Hatt Street pedestrian issues were a big concern among residents who participated in the Downtown Dundas Transportation Master Plan, safety improvements and traffic calming measures were not addressed.

No suggestions included

Residents suggested a pedestrian crossing at Hatt and Sydenham, bike lanes along Hatt, measures to address speeding and street racing on Hatt, a stoplight on Hatt between Ogilvie and Market, a pedestrian island in the middle of Hatt and a four-way stop at Hatt and John.

None of the suggestions were included in the final transportation master plan.

Several residents have continued to express concerns about traffic calming and pedestrian improvements along Hatt Street since the master plan was completed.

Kay, and TLC, have contributed suggestions on many aspects and intersections reviewed in the master plan process -including Governor's Road and Ogilvie Street. But he points to Hatt as the most significant area.

"I think of all the traffic projects in Dundas, the Hatt Street study should be a top priority, and should have been a top priority when the study was first published," Kay said. "Why it is not moving forward, I would only have to guess. It’s certainly not for lack of trying on TLC’s part."





http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/213894

cars first?

Pedestrians not revved up over transportation plan
Craig Campbell, Dundas Star News Staff
Published on Dec 18, 2009

A transportation master plan that promotes short term improvements for vehicles while delaying improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and public transit was disappointing to some who reviewed the plan at an open house Tuesday.

Retired family doctor Bob James, a member of the Dundas Community Council, said the master plan does not do enough to address pedestrian crossing of Hatt Street and creates new issues at the intersection of King and Ogilvie.

“It’s disappointing,” James said. “I thought there would be more.”

His concerns were echoed by Randy Kay and Reuven Dukas of Transportation for Liveable Communities.

They noted adding new turning lanes were short term recommendations at three intersections, while most pedestrian, cycling and transit improvements are recommended over the medium or long term.

“It’s making it easier for more vehicles to drive faster, and harder for pedestrians,” Dukas said.

Kay said widening intersections will make crossing more dangerous for pedestrians.

They also questioned the master plan’s long-term recommendation to develop a “multi-modal” transit facility just outside the downtown core and extend B-Line service from University Plaza to the new transportation facility.

Dukas suggested that project should be done in the short term, and the intersection changes to improve traffic flow should be scrapped.

The Downtown Dundas Transportation Master Plan recommends further studies be completed on the issue of traffic calming on Hatt Street and Creekside Drive, and that the intersection of Hatt and Memorial Square be studied in the future.

The plan also recommends a Transportation Demand Management Strategy be developed for downtown Dundas. The strategy’s goal would be to “delay, defer or even eliminate the need for significant capital investment in new transportation infrastructure.”

A 60-day public commenting period continues until Feb. 1, 2010.

opposition to transportation plan in Dundas

Group questioning transportation plan
Craig Campbell, Dundas Star News Staff, Published on Nov 20, 2009

A local transportation advocacy group is not happy with recommendations in the Downtown Dundas Transportation Master Plan, approved by the city’s public works committee last week

Randy Kay of Transportation for Liveable Communities said the group will make comments during a 60-day public review period.

“Having gone through the stakeholder process from the first meeting on this, it feels to me like it was put together by people who don’t walk or cycle in town,” Kay said.

In a letter submitted to the public works committee, Kay stated the group feels its comments contributed during the lengthy master plan process have not been properly addressed.

In a detailed, three-page summary originally submitted a year ago, Kay states “road widening, vague and non-committal talk of transit improvements, and further delays in implementing the long-overdue cycling improvements are the order of the day.

“This is not the emphasis we desire, nor expect.”

More specifically, the submission opposes the recommendation to widen Governor’s Road to four lanes, with no evaluation of TLC’s suggestion to close Ogilvie to cars at Governor’s Road. The group also opposes a recommendation to widen the Hatt Street/Memorial Square intersection, and questions several aspects of the master plan.

The recommendations include changes at nine different Dundas intersections.

Details on how the public can participate in the 60 day review of the Downtown Dundas Transportation Master Plan were not available by deadline.

The report still needs approval from Hamilton city council.

traffic woes nothing to sneeze at...

Safety issues won’t move H1N1 clinic

Governor’s Road site will remain in use

Craig Campbell, News Staff

Published on Nov 06, 2009

Dundas Baptist Church on Governor’s Road will remain one of Hamilton’s four HINI influenza immunization clinics as long as the city still has doses of the vaccine, despite problems with traffic safety in the surrounding area.

Hamilton Police expressed concerns over the location of the main immunization clinic when it was announced. And Division 30 Inspector Bob Buck said there were traffic and pedestrian safety issues on the already controversial road right from the start.

“It became dangerous,” Inspector Buck said. “We raised that issue. We expressed concern about that location. From a traffic and pedestrian standpoint, it’s a difficult location.”

As the only immunization clinic for at-risk residents open all five days Oct. 26-30, the Dundas Baptist Church site saw the biggest influx of people by far. Hamilton Public Health Services staff say more than 8,000 people were injected with the H1N1 vaccine –that’s more than 1,600 people each day and over 280 people every hour.

But residents saw the impact as thousands of people looked for limited parking and lined up along the side of Governor’s Road waiting their turn.

“It was crazy,” said Randy Kay of the group Transportation for Livable Communities, which has been calling for safety and pedestrian improvements to Governor’s Road.

“The parking lot filled, cars parked on the side street, and cars backed up two lanes wide to Overfield. Crazy!”

He went by the Baptist Church clinic last Friday about 15 minutes before it closed. Mr. Kay suggested hindsight may encourage Public Health to examine the location, and move the immunization clinic somewhere with more parking or find a site people can get to without a car if they choose.

But Public Health spokesperson Tara Hall said no review of the location has taken place, and the clinic will not move from that site

“Dundas Baptist Church is one of four permanent locations,” Ms. Hall said.

The site met the required criteria for H1N1 clinics, including providing enough space and being available to the city for the required four to six weeks.

As long as Hamilton still has vaccine available, the Governor’s Road location is scheduled to be used until just before Christmas. It wasn’t known earlier this week when the clinic will open to the general public.

Ms. Hall said the public health department hopes having more clinics open this week, and insisting only the most at-risk residents get the vaccine for now, pressure on the Dundas location will ease and there will be fewer traffic and pedestrian safety problems.

Hamilton Police put an on-duty officer at the site immediately, expecting it to be an issue when it opened last Monday at 1 p. m. But when police discovered how busy it was and the officer was unavailable to respond to calls, a paid-duty or overtime officer was assigned to the site.

But police and public health commended each other on their individual efforts to keep the location as safe as possible, and manage the large numbers of people.

Inspector Buck said clinic staff did a really good job managing the people who showed up, and Ms. Hall said police did a great job managing traffic and providing safe pedestrian crossing across Governor’s Road.

http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/193731

shifting gears at council

Gary Yokoyama, the Hamilton Spectator

Cycling plan gets votes, but cash? Not so fast TheSpec.com - Local - Cycling plan gets votes, but cash? No so fast

Nicole Macintyre, The Hamilton Spectator
(Jun 25, 2009)

They came on two wheels, helmets in place, to remind council that not every Hamiltonian wants to drive to work.

About 20 cyclists attended last night's council meeting to encourage the city to approve and fund its new cycling master plan.

Councillors unanimously backed the plan without debate, but referred any funding commitments to the budget process.

It will take $51.5 million to implement the integrated cycling network on city streets, a cost of $2.5 million a year if it was completed over 20 years.

Staff recommended the city only commit $1.25 million a year and focus on urban bike lanes.

The investment, which would be staged over numerous years, would more than quadruple the city's designated bike lanes to 566 kilometres.

However, several councillors have expressed concern about the size of the investment, questioning if the bike lanes would be used enough to justify the cost.

They want to consider the expense in relation to the city's other financial demands.

Randy Kay of Transportation for Liveable Communities Hamilton wants the city to fast-track the plan. The yearly price tag, he argued, is affordable and offers the city a cheap way to improve its image.

"Hamilton is moving in the right direction, keep going. Don't be left behind," he said.

"People want choices in their transportation."

In a letter to council, cyclist Brendan Simons said he's lived in several cities, but finds Hamilton the most "hostile to cyclists."

"No matter which roads I take, I have to contend with cars and trucks whizzing by my elbow at 70 plus kilometres per hour," Simons wrote.

Kay said local cyclists intend to follow the plan to next year's budget process.

"We're hoping this is just the start of a campaign to see this through."

ungoverned

No new crossing guards on Governor's Road

Craig Campbell, Dundas Star News. Published on Aug 29, 2008

Despite ongoing pedestrian safety concerns around three Governor's Road schools, no crossing guards are being added.

With classes set to start within days, Dundas students will begin the year with only seven crossing guards, compared to the nine in place a year ago.

Three local crossing guard locations were removed over the past year. Only one crossing guard was added, at Bridlewood and Governor's, since the opening of Sir William Osler School last winter. The elementary school took on the student populations of both Dundas District and Central Park, as well as some Dundana students.

The City of Hamilton rejected a request from St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School's principal to relocate the Creighton and Governor's guard to Huntingwood Road - an uncontrolled intersection more commonly used by students than the stoplight-protected intersection at Creighton. A 15-year-old Highland High School student was struck by a car while crossing at Hungtingwood two years ago. There have been many near collisions and several vehicle collisions there.

Participants in a pedestrian safety walkabout of the three neighbouring Governor's Road schools supported the requested relocation of a guard, as well as potentially adding an extra crossing guard for Sir William Osler.

http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/141226

artists way?

Downtown transportation master plan accepting submissions

Car free Ogilvie suggested

Craig Campbell

Published on Jul 04, 2008

Reviewing the potential for a car-free space on Ogilvie Street between King Street West and Hatt Street, also known as Artist's Way and home to such landmarks as the Carnegie Gallery, Dundas Library, and Dundas Valley School of Art, has been suggested in a submission to the Downtown Dundas Transportation Master Plan.

In a five page submission by Transportation for Liveable Communities (TLC) to Natasha D'Souza, project manager for the downtown Dundas transportation review, the local organization raises several key issues it feels the project should address including transit problems, new bike lanes, more pedestrian crossings on Hatt Street, roundabouts, sidewalk snow clearing strategies and improvements to pedestrian crossing signals.

The submission describes the section of Ogilvie between two local arts institutions as "an excellent space for cultural gatherings" and a possible pedestrian priority area.

"The current state of sidewalks on this street is sub-par and an impediment to mobility."

According to TLC's submission, Ogilvie pedestrian areas are currently too narrow and obstructed by parking meters. It suggests wider, barrier-free sidewalks are necessary if pedestrian mobility is to be well-served.

TLC also encourages a new effort to improve The Spencer Creek Trail, linking pedestrians to local shopping, business and recreation facilities, along the historic creek.

A preliminary report on transportation within downtown Dundas by city staff found most key intersections will be able to handle anticipated increases in population and traffic.

Those findings have moved the master plan's focus to sustainable transportation, including bicycle infrastructure and pedestrian-related improvements.

A preliminary stakeholders meeting to gather information was poorly attended, but the master plan is accepting public submissions in advance of the plan's expected completion in September, and final report in November.

Full details of the master plan and contact information can be found on the City of Hamilton's website (www.hamilton.ca/DowntownDundasTMP).

http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/135059

ungoverned governor's?

Audit suggests changes to update road philosophy
Participants watch Governor's drivers ignore rules during school dismissal

Craig Campbell, Dundas Star News
Published on Jun 06, 2008

Governor's Road is still treated as a highway access to Dundas, despite a drastic change in its use, Dundas' public school board trustee said last week.

Jessica Brennan participated in a safety walkabout on Governor's Road, joining a group that focussed on traffic, pedestrian and cycling issues around the new Sir William Osler Elementary School. Another group focussed on issues around St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School, less than one kilometre away.

"It's the philosophy of the road," Ms. Brennan said during a short discussion that raised no less than 19 issues to pursue, following last Thursday's safety review.

"It used to be thought of as a highway into Dundas. That doesn't address the current use."

She noted Governor's Road now revolves around educational and residential uses, with a new focus on pedestrians and cyclists. Ms. Brennan's comments echoed points made by many other participants.

Most agreed the philosophy of the road, and driver attitude, has to change to meet the reality of its current use.

To help address this, the City of Hamilton will reassess placement of crossing guards on Governor's Road, and consider a recommendation to move the current crossing guard at Creighton Road to Huntingwood, and potentially adding a second crossing guard at Bridlewood.

Governor's Road will also be reviewed for dedicated bike lanes. The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board will be asked to add more bike racks to accommodate a large number of students who ride to school.

Concern was also expresssed about the lack of sidewalks on Governor's Road, beyond Moss Boulevard.

Organized by Transportation for Livable Communities and city staff from public health and traffic services, the walkabout included Dundas councillor Russ Powers and his administrative assistant Arlene Vanderbeek, the local public school trustee, staff of St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School and parents from Sir William Osler - but no staff representatives of Highland Secondary School or Sir William Osler.

In total, 17 people participated in the safety review, during Safe Kids Week.

St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School Principal Rukshi Athulathmudali will request increased police and bylaw enforcement of No Stopping and No Parking areas in front of the school.

During last week's audit, a car made an illegal U-turn in front of the school then parked on the sidewalk, in a clearly marked No Stopping zone.

Several students dashed across Governor's Road from between parked cars crammed into a no parking area intended for emergency vehicles. School staff discourage parents from parking there, but the bylaw does permit parking for 15-minutes.

Ms. Athulathmudali would also like to see a curb, or sidewalk, placed across the street from the school, to dissuade drivers from passing on the soft shoulder or attempting U-turns.

It was suggested relocating a Creighton and Governor's crossing guard closer to St. Bernadette at Huntingwood, would provide a closer crossing option for young students.

Ms. Athulathmudali also said drivers are not obeying the 40 km-h flashing school zone that includes the three school stretch of Governor's Road.

Without assistance

Over at Sir William Osler, Ms. Brennan noticed there were more school children crossing Governor's Road than the single crossing guard could accommodate. That resulted in some students crossing at different areas without the assistance of a crossing guard.

A second guard at Osler and relocating a guard to Huntingwood will be part of the Governor's Road crossing guard analysis by the city.

Several vehicles speeding along Governor's Road illegally used the unpaved shoulder to pass another car waiting to turn left into the school's parking lot.

Ms. Athulathmudali, and a St. Bernadette teacher also participating in the safety walk, said drivers speeding by on the shoulder is a common occurrence that has resulted in a few staff members being rear-ended in front of the school.

Ms. Brennan also asked for an update on a proposed Governor's Road roundabout, and the potential widening of the street.

A list of 19 issues and questions raised during last week's walkabout, including investigation of traffic calming measures and increasing by-law and police enforcement, has been produced and representatives of the city, school boards, or Transportation for Livable Communities have been asked to follow-up.
http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/131416

trail story

Transportation group asks for Cootes Trail safety improvements

Craig Campbell, Dundas Star News,
Published on Jun 06, 2008

A community transportation group has asked the City of Hamilton to install a reflective bollard, or post, between Cootes Drive and a pedestrian path where it intersects with Olympic Drive.

Last week's request by Transportation for Livable Communities representative and Dundas resident Anita Toth came 42 days after Jennifer Skingley was struck from behind by a vehicle as she walked her family dog Holly along the paved pedestrian trail.

Police announced this week the driver of the vehicle will not be charged.

Ms. Skingley was taken to hospital with a concussion. She suffered headaches several weeks after the incident and received ongoing treatment. Holly, a two-year-old Australian cattle dog, was pulled under a wheel. One of her back legs was later amputated.

An unnamed driver accessed the Cootes pedestrian trail as he turned left from Olympic Drive.

"The intersection in question has no signs or barriers indicating that cars are not permitted on this path," Ms. Toth stated in the letter. "Instead, there is a wide, paved section which leads from the road to the path, which can cause confusion for out-of-town or new-to-town individuals."

She notes signs indicating motorized vehicles are not permitted on the pedestrian path are only found once a person is actually on the path.

Ms. Toth and TLC request installation of "a soft, break-away style, yellow reflective bollard, at least 150 centimetres tall" in the centre of the paved section.

The letter suggests placing the bollard no closer than 100 centimetres to the edge of the pedestrian path, and at least 200 centimetres from the edge of the Cootes Drive curb lane, "along with an appropriate sign indicating no access for motor vehicles."

Police determined early in the now seven week long investigation that alcohol was not a contributing factor to the driver entering the pedestrian path at Olympic Drive. He reportedly drove nearly two kilometres along the path before striking the McMaster University student.

Hamilton Police Service spokesperson Sergeant Terri-Lynn Collings said there will be no charges laid against the driver, under the Highway Traffic Act.

But it doesn't appear police are completely finished with the case.

"Police are looking at other ways of dealing with this," Sgt. Collings said. "We will be searching other venues."

She would not elaborate on what other options police might have.

A city staff member said last week the traffic department was reviewing the April 19 incident to see what could be done to prevent it from happening again.

But traffic staff would not comment further, citing pending litigation by Jennifer Skingley's father, Malcolm.

City parks staff say park bylaws do not permit vehicles in parks or on pedestrian trails, but related signage is the responsibility of the traffic department.

http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/131421

governor's walk-about

Three school stretch reviewed for Safe Kids Week

Craig Campbell, Dundas Star News, Published on May 02, 2008

A community safety walk of Governor's Road will mark Canada's Safe Kids Week.

The walkabout to assess pedestrian and cyclist safety on the stretch of Governor's Road near two elementary schools and one high school will be hosted by Transportation for Livable Communities. It's one of about 1,000 community projects being held in the last week of May in a program organized by Safe Kids Canada.

Anyone interested in participating is welcome to meet in front of St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 29.

Safe Kids Week project leader Denyse Boxell said participants hosting their own event are encouraged to download the Safe Kids Canada pedestrian safety guide and use it to assist in their own assessment.

The Safe Kids Canada Web site also offers a four-page community walkabout scoresheet for community groups to use during their assessments.

The scoresheet includes 16 different questions; each is allocated one point for a 'no' answer, two points for 'sometimes', three for 'yes' and zero points for 'don't know'.

Questions include: Can streets be easily, safely and conveniently crossed? Do drivers drive the speed limit? Do sidewalks exist? Are sidewalks well maintained? Are there traffic calming measures?

Each question includes teaching or discussion points to help assess that particular question, or safety indicator.

A total score for the walkabout below 17 points is assessed with the statement "Community needs to make considerable effort to create pedestrian friendly environment."

A score in the range of 17 to 32 points is defined as pedestrian friendly in some areas, but needing more work in others. And a score of 33 or more points is considered "very pedestrian friendly."

Ms. Boxell said Safe Kids Canada will provide further support and education to any community group that requests it.

"We lobby local and provincial governments to make pedestrian safety better," she said.

But local groups must take the lead role in their own community, and reach out to Safe Kids Canada to receive resources or other forms of support.

Ms. Boxell said a group can contact the national organization with information on a particular pedestrian concern, their findings and their efforts, and Safe Kids Canada can provide a letter supporting the group's effort, or training, information and documents to help improve pedestrian safety.

For more information: www.sickkids.ca/safekidscanada or http://governorsroad.blogspot.com.


http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/126715

speed up

10 km increase approved for Cootes

Sign will show drivers how fast they travel

Craig Campbell

Published on May 02, 2008

McMaster University hopes to attach a speed measurement sign to a bridge over Cootes Drive soon, as the City of Hamilton finalizes a 10-kilometer per hour increase to a controversial stretch of road.

City Council supported a motion by Dundas' Russ Powers, last Wednesday, to increase the speed limit around Cootes and a pedestrian controlled crossing at Sanders Boulevard from 40 to 50 km-h.

The new speed zone will stretch 888 metres north, towards Dundas, from Main Street West.

Once the official bylaw is signed by Mayor Fred Eisenberger and sent to the city's traffic engineering and operations department, the increase will mark the third speed limit at the location within the past year.

The speed dropped from 60 to 40 km-h last spring, before its upcoming move to 50 km-h.

City studies showed the change had little effect on driver behaviour, as most cars continued to travel above the original 60 km-h limit.

Hart Solomon, manager of traffic engineering, said the speed limit increase will be co-ordinated with McMaster's installation of a speed sign on the bridge they own over Cootes Drive.

And Terry Sullivan, director of security and parking services at Mcmaster, said the solar powered sign has been delivered and almost ready to put up.

"It will show your speed and the speed it should be," Mr. Sullivan said.

McMaster and the city are sharing the cost of the sign and its installation.

A former Hamilton Police Service superintendent for the division that served Dundas, Mr. Sullivan compared the sign to the small versions seen at some road construction sites, showing drivers if they are travelling above the recommended speed.

"Some say they're ineffective and some say they are effective," he said. "When I go through construction zones with them, I'm always alert.

"It's going to be an extra reminder."

The former police officer supports city council's decision to raise the limit halfway to its former rate.

"I think it was an appropriate response," Mr. Sullivan said. "I think 50 is a good compromise. We're looking forward to that."

Transportation for Liveable Communities, a transit, pedestrian and cyclist interest group based at McMaster, supported the 50 km-h compromise, as long as other recommendations from a 2004 consultant's study were also introduced.

Synectics Transportation Consultants recommended not only the pedestrian controlled crossing that was later adopted, but also a number of other changes to decrease the "hazardous" rate of speed discovered.

Randy Kay, a Dundas resident and TLC member, said a few weeks ago the 50 km-h limit appeared to be the politically acceptable compromise, but even with such a change drivers "will still be speeding at whatever feels comfortable."

http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/126670

dropping speed

Cootes speed drop having no effect

Drivers continue to ignore the law

Craig Campbell

Published on Feb 29, 2008

Speeding is still a problem on Cootes Drive, according to a study completed by the City of Hamilton.

In fact, lowering the speed limit from 60 km-h to 40 km-h on a section of Cootes surrounding a pedestrian controlled stop light, has had no real effect on the excess rate of speed travelled by drivers.

Hart Solomon, the city's manager of traffic engineering and operations said two studies have shown virtually no change in average speeds since the drop.

And while the McMaster-based Transportation for Liveable Communities isn't in favour of the speed increase being considered by the city, TLC representative Randy Kay said the group could possibly compromise at a rate of 50 km/h, as long as the city implements other traffic calming measures originally recommended in the consultant's report that suggested the pedestrian-controlled crossing.

Not addressed

"We still see speeding as a problem," Mr. Kay said. "The original problem hasn't been addressed."

He said more than just speed limit signs are needed on the stretch of road where a 19-year-old McMaster University student was struck and killed by a vehicle while using the pedestrian controlled crossing two years ago.

A 2004 Synectics Transportation Consultants Inc. report found speeding created a safety problem for pedestrians.

Synectics not only recommended a mid-block pedestrian-controlled traffic light crossing, but also lane narrowing, increased police speed enforcement, changing the roadside environment to discourage speeding, a McMaster student targeted education and enforcement campaign, and prevention of pedestrians crossing Cootes at locations other than the controlled crossing.

"I don't know why the city refused to do that," Mr. Kay said of the other Synetics recommendations. "It's dangerous to put the crossing in without those."

car habit

• Rob Faulkner 
• Wed Jan 23 2008 
• Be the first to Comment
• 0 Recommend

Hamiltonians like their cars

THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR

(Jan 23, 2008)

When it comes to car travel, Hamilton's a medium city that acts like a car-happy small town.

A new Statistics Canada study looked at the prevalence of car travel in cities across Canada, for trips such as commuting and running errands.

The study, Dependence on Cars in Urban Neighbourhoods, revealed the percentage of adults who used a car for all of their trips on a survey day in 2005 varied widely by city.

In Toronto (66 per cent), Montreal (65 per cent) and Vancouver (69 per cent) rates were low. In medium-size census metropolitan areas, like Hamilton, it averaged 75 per cent. In smaller CMAs, the rate was 81 per cent.

But the Hamilton rate was 80 per cent -- well above big cities, above cities our size, and just shy of smaller burgs such as Sudbury, Kingston and Thunder Bay.

"We're not acting like a grown-up city," said sustainable transportation activist Randy Kay of Transportation for Liveable Communities.

We're not alone. "What's going on in Hamilton, the relationship between neighbourhood density and use of cars, is going on everywhere," study author Martin Turcotte said.

He said the rise of suburbs is one reason we see a contradiction: Canadians are increasingly living in cities, but they also drive more. The percentage of adults going everywhere by car rose from 68 per cent in 1992 to 74 per cent in 2005.

Of big cities, Calgary and Edmonton relied more on their cars, and Montreal, a city with denser neighbourhoods and a layout designed before the car arrived, drove least.

The big city-small town divide in car use, the study says, is due to factors such as big cities' having better transit, less parking and a higher density that makes walking or cycling attractive.

Conversely, people who lived far from a city centre, who tended to live in low-density single-family homes are more likely to make all trips by car.

Kay said it's "depressingly accurate" to depict Hamilton as a city of car drivers. The city's design focuses on moving cars efficiently, with little attention to pedestrians and cyclists, he said.

"In Hamilton we have to do politically scary things. You have to take things away from cars and give it to cyclists and pedestrians. You can't just have huge roadways funnelling cars around, like a hangover from the 1930s road-building craze."

Bill Jannsen, acting director of strategic services in the city's planning department, said Hamilton's size and the escarpment can make it hard to get around without a car.

Hamilton has large low-density suburban areas but "the whole planning philosophy is changing toward increasing density and more mixed use neighbourhoods," he said.

rfaulkner@thespec.com 905-526-2468

Who is most likely to drive?

* On the survey day in 2005, 81 per cent of Canadian male adults made at least one car trip; for women, the rate was just 66 per cent. * With all other things kept constant, the odds that a baby boomer drove a car on all his or her trips was 2.5 times higher than the odds for 18- to 24-year-olds. * People with children aged five to 12 had odds 1.6 times higher than people without kids that age to drive for at least one of their trips that day. Who is most likely to drive?

new flash on governor's road

News on Governor's Road from the Dundas Star News

Governor's Road awaits safety improvements

Group calls for further safety improvements

Craig Campbell

Published on Jan 11, 2008

Long discussed improvements to Governor's Road traffic control should be on their way, as city staff prepare to install a new reduced speed zone along a three school stretch of the road. City of Hamilton traffic technologist Sue Russell couldn't say when the system would be operational, as there may be some bugs to work out.

"It's new equipment and a new program. There could be some unforeseen problems, as with any new product," Ms. Russell said. "I don't want to make any promises I can't keep."

The reduced speed school zone was approved by city council in April 2007. One of eight such school zones across the city, the Governor's Road zone will stretch from Moss Boulevard to 75 metres east of Huntingwood.

Flashing lights will warn drivers the regular 50 km/h speed drops to 40 km/h during morning, mid-day and afternoon rush hours.

The flashing light speed zone will be in effect for just over five hours each day, between 7:50 a.m. and 4 p.m. The part-time school zone was anticipated to be in place by September 2007, when the new Sir William Osler School was scheduled to open. Delays in the school's completion coincided with an apparent delay in receiving equipment from a supplier.

Osler School opened in November 2007 without the school speed zone in place. Ms. Russell said this week an expected start date for the new system is not set. She said staff will need training before the equipment is installed.

The idea of a school speed zone, along with a roundabout on Governor's Road, was raised while former councillor Art Samson represented Dundas. Mr. Samson wanted to see safety improvements made to the less than one kilometre stretch of road that includes St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School, Highland Secondary School, and Sir William Osler Elementary.

Start times for the schools range from 8:15 a.m. at Highland, to 9 a.m. at St. Bernadette to 9:10 a.m. at Osler.

When the reduced speed zone is operational, it is planned to be in use from 7:50 a.m. to 9:10 a.m., then from 10:59 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., and finally from 2:45 to 4 p.m.

The new elementary school's morning bell time coincides exactly with the end of the morning reduced speed, at which time it will return to 50 km/h from 40 km/h.

Ron Gallo of the city's traffic department said a consultant will be hired to conduct an environmental assessment of a roundabout in area of Governor's Road and Davidson Boulevard.

Mr. Gallo said the budget is in place and he hopes the assessment will be completed in 2008, allowing the design to be done in the first quarter of 2009 and construction by the end of next year.

"That's a best case scenario for me," Mr. Gallo said, noting he'd been involved in discussions about a Governor's Road roundabout for more than two years, and would like to see it done.

Transportation for Liveable Communities sent an e-mail this week to all members of Hamilton's city council, supporting a new reduced speed zone and a roundabout at Davidson Boulevard, along with several other recommendations.

The local pedestrian, cyclist and transit interest group also called for a comprehensive traffic audit of Governor's Road --with results released to the public -- additional school crossing guards, and improved public transit service on Governor's Road. Among the changes supported by TLC are new traffic calming measures - in particular bicycle lanes that were proposed in the city's May 2007 Cycling Network Strategy.

speedy report

Coverage in the local weekly on the Cootes Speed issue:

Results of speed study not yet released to public
Craig Campbell, DUNDAS STAR NEWS
Published on Dec 14, 2007

A local transportation group based at McMaster University and deeply involved in pedestrian and cyclist safety issues in that area is disappointed it wasn't even informed about a speed study on Cootes Drive.

More than two weeks after the three-day recording of vehicle speeds in a 40 km-h zone near a pedestrian-controlled traffic light, results of the study still not available this week.

City of Hamilton traffic technologist Chris Van Berkel said Wednesday morning results had been downloaded from equipment that recorded the speed of every vehicle that drove over it for at least three days. But Mr. Van Berkel needed permission from Councillors Russ Powers and Brian McHattie to release the data.

Transportation for Livable Communities representative Randy Kay wrote a letter on Dec. 6 to Mr. Powers and the Dundas Star News, expressing opposition to the idea of raising the 40 km/h speed limit.

"TLC would like to remind all parties that speed has a direct impact on the survival rates in collisions," Mr. Kay wrote.

Included with the letter is a chart based on United Kingdom statistics that shows 85 per cent of pedestrians struck at 64 km-hr are killed, while only 5 per cent struck at 32 km-h are killed. Mr. Kay's letter stated the lower speed limit at the Cootes crossing was introduced as a safety measure at a very busy pedestrian crossing.

"TLC cannot accept a decision that would allow lack of obedience to the posted limit to result in raising the speed limit. This would be rewarding law-breaking speeders at the expense of traffic safety."

The speed review was sparked by concerns over a drop in the speed limit from 60 km-h to 40 km-hi that most drivers do not appear to be following.

Just three months after the pedestrian controlled crossing was installed, a student was struck and killed by a vehicle while using the crossing.

speed addict

Speed study puts Cootes limit under microscope

City will see if reduction near Mac had any effect

Craig Campbell

Published on Nov 30, 2007

Local drivers should know next week if anyone's following the new speed limit on Cootes Drive.

City of Hamilton traffic staff is currently reviewing the speed reduction made during the summer on the busy thoroughfare near Main Street West.

Dundas councillor Russ Powers said he wanted some analysis of the change, and the traffic department needed about six months to have appropriate data for an informed decision.

Tubes were stretched across all lanes of Cootes Drive earlier this week, about six months since the reduction.

City traffic technologist Chris van Berkel said the equipment keeps track of both traffic volume and speed. It was to record information for three days.

"We're interested in speed, we know the volumes," Mr. van Berkel said. "We want to see if the speed reduction has had an effect."

Mr. Powers said he was not very happy with the speed reduction from 60 km-h to 40 km-h for a section of Cootes Drive around a controlled pedestrian crosswalk when it was made in the summer.

He told the October meeting of his Dundas Community Council everyone he spoke to was fine with a speed drop from 80 km-h to 60 km-h but not the additional drop to 40 at the crosswalk.

Mr. Powers said he's suggested an increase in the current 40 km-h zone back to 60 km-h.

He and west Hamilton councillor Brian McHattie have already met once with traffic staff, and expect to review results of this week's speed study.

The speed reduction was part of an ongoing but troublesome effort to improve traffic and pedestrian safety on Cootes Drive.

Just a few months after new traffic lights were placed on the street to provide control for a McMaster University pedestrian crossing, a student from the school was struck and killed.

A Hamilton police Speedwatch at the crosswalk has found pedestrians crossing without activating the lights. Other observers have argued driver speeding is a problem.

Results from this week's speed study should be available next week. Mr. Powers expects local stakeholders, including McMaster, to discuss possible options to improve the traffic situation with recommendations potentially going to the public works committee of council before the end of the year.

The organization Transportation for Livable Communities has been calling for more traffic calming methods to be used in conjunction with the controlled crosswalk and speed reduction, including a lane reduction at the crosswalk.

Star on Cootes

[Craig and the Dundas Star continue to give great follow-up coverage on transportation issues!]

Second speedwatch alerts drivers of pending change

Craig Campbell, Dundas Star News

(Jul 6, 2007)

Six drivers were travelling at least 20 km-h over the posted speed limit during a the most recent Speedwatch on Cootes Drive in Dundas.

The public awareness program is operated by auxiliary police. While no traffic tickets are handed out, a large radar board displays drivers' speeds in comparison to the posted limit.

Speeds are also recorded, then passed along to divisional safety police officers, and City of Hamilton traffic staff. The brief morning Speedwatch on Cootes Drive just before Thorpe Street, Monday, June 25, observed a total of 185 vehicles.

According to statistics provided by Sergeant Glenn Jarvie, 108 of those drivers were actually travelling below the 50 km-h posted speed limit.

Sixty-three drivers were recorded at the posted speed limit or less than 10 km-h over. And, in addition to the six drivers travelling 20 to 29 km-h over the limit, eight drivers were speeding by 10 to 19 km-h.

"This program assists the police service to identify resource allocation," Sgt. Jarvie said.

"Complaint areas can be given to the speedwatch auxiliaries, attended to, and if deemed to be a problem area then our divisional safety officers are directed to this area to initiate an enforcement and education awareness plan."

Because the auxiliary officers and speed sign are highly visible, drivers tend to lower their speed at a Speedwatch site.

The four kilometres of Cootes Drive - from York Road in Dundas to Main Street West in Hamilton - has been the focus on ongoing complaints for more than two years.

The roadway has received heavier scrutiny since Feb. 2006, when a 19-year-old McMaster University student was struck and killed crossing Cootes Drive.

Another Speedwatch was held near the pedestrian-controlled crossing at the opposite end of Cootes Drive on Nov. 6. Both Speedwatch days have only observed eastbound traffic on Cootes.

"When it comes to these identified locations, the Speedwatch people revisit these sites to determine if further enforcement is required," Mr. Jarvie said.

A Division one officer recently began an increased level of speed enforcement at the Main West end of Cootes Drive, while the other end of Cootes - near Thorpe Street - has long been a favourite of Dundas police for speed enforcement.

A reduction in speed limits is expected in less than two months.