Alpine Drive Public Meeting

NEIGHBOURHOOD TRAFFIC REVIEW OBJECTIVES

A Neighbourhood Traffic Review should be undertaken in consideration of the following goals:

• Enhance the quality of life and livability in City of Niagara Falls' neighbourhoods through the use of traffic management measures, such as speed humps, that reduce or control the impact of vehicle traffic;
• Change the culture of neighbourhood street use from 'cars first' to 'people first';
• Create neighbourhood environments that support and encourage the use of non-auto modes of travel such as cycling, walking and transit; and,
• Develop a transportation system that recognizes and accommodates to the greatest extent possible, the multitude of activities that take place along the roadway.

The process should involve:

• Public consultation and input in all aspects of the process;
• A process that is fair, balanced and equitable and reflects the needs of all users; and
• A process that reflects the City of Niagara Falls funding capabilities.

Specific objectives of the Neighbourhood Traffic Review are to:

• Improve safety and convenience for all users of the street;
• Reduce the number and severity of collisions;
• Reduce the volume and/or speed of motorized traffic;
• Reduce the volume of traffic that has neither its origin or destination within the residential neighbourhood;
• Minimize effects on the adjacent or nearby local residential streets; and
• Reduce motor vehicle emissions.

BACKGROUND & EXISTING CONDITIONS

The City received a request from a resident to review the speed of traffic and consider speed control devices on Alpine Drive between Paddock Trail Dive and Montrose Road.

Alpine Drive

• is a two-lane, two-way minor residential collector roadway;
• extends 6 blocks away for 0.6 km from Paddock Trail Drive to Montrose Road within the study area;
• Is surrounded predominantly by residential properties;
• has a concrete sidewalk separated on each side of the road;
• contains Alpine Park, located on the south side of the road between Fieldstone Avenue and Yvette Crescent;
• has a 9.0-metre pavement width throughout the study area; and
• has a 50 km/h speed limit.

TECHNICAL DATA

• Alpine Drive carries more than 1000 cars daily between Paddock Trail Drive and Montrose Road. These traffic volumes are within the expectations of a minor residential collector roadway;
• A collision problem has not been found on Alpine Drive. There have been no reported collisions related to excessive vehicle speeds in the previous five years; 
• Speed studies were carried out over several days. The data identified that the operating speed is 58 km/h in the vicinity of Alpine Park. The City considers a speeding problem when the operating speed exceeds the speed limit where there is at least one pedestrian generator abutting the road. Given that a neighbourhood park abuts Alpine Drive, the technical component for speed control devices is fulfilled.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Given that a speeding problem was identified, Staff solicited the input of the neighbourhood on their preference for speed control devices.

Based on the supporting rate from the neighbourhood, it is recommended to install speed control devices on Alpine Drive between Paddock Trail Drive and Yvette Crescent.

SPEED CUSHIONS

Speed cushions are a modified speed hump that has openings to allow vehicles with wider wheelbases, such as a fire truck or an ambulance, unencumbered passage.  A driver of a passenger vehicle will have one side of their vehicle pass over the hump.  Speed cushions are generally round or flat-topped encouraging motorists to drive over them at speeds of 30-40 km/h.

Each speed cushion costs approximately $5,500.

Advantages:

• Prevents drivers from exceeding the speed limit while not requiring them to fully stop;
• Have the advantage of being self-enforcing;
• May reduce number & severity of collisions;
• Safer conditions for cyclists and pedestrians;
• A parking restriction is not required at the speed cushion location;
• Discourages cut-through traffic; and
• Does not slow down emergency vehicles (due to wider wheelbases) as drivers can pass through the gaps.

Disadvantages:

Increases noise with drivers decelerating & accelerating over the humps.

Local Example: Woodbine Street

SPEED CUSHION SPECIFICATIONS

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Speed control devices are located based on the following:

• Devices are most effective if they are evenly spaced, ideally 100 metres apart, so that motorists are not able to speed between them;
• Cannot be placed in front of driveways since signs are posted on both sides of the road next to the device.  This way their location is known when the roads are snow covered;
• Devices are avoided on road curves; and
• Avoid placing them where utilities, manholes, valves, catch basins, etc. are located; and ensure positive drainage is maintained.

SPEED CUSHION LOCATIONS

• 28 m east of Fieldstone Avenue;
• 25 m east of Pamela Drive;
• 20 m west of Kevin Drive; and
• 80 m east of Kevin Drive.

NEXT STEPS

• Your input is important! Please take the time to comment on the study findings and recommended plan by either completing the comments sheet or getting in touch with one of the project team members;

• Talk to your neighbours who could not attend tonight and encourage them to provide their support for the speed control plan;

• Staff will incorporate and/or address the comments and suggestions received from this neighbourhood meeting in the final plan;

• Bring the matter to City Council for approval;

• Installation will be in 2025 if approved by City Council;

• Comments are requested by Monday, February 26, 2024 through any of the following methods:

Mail -                          City of Niagara Falls                           

                                    8208 Heartland Forest Road Niagara Falls, ON   L2H 0L7             

Phone                         (905) 356 - 7521, ext. 5215               

Fax                              (905) 356 - 5576                  

Email                           [email protected]