Item - 2015.PW2.11
Tracking Status
- City Council considered this item on March 31, 2015 and referred this item to an official or another committee or body. Consult the text of the decision for further information on the referral.
- This item was considered by Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on February 23, 2015 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on March 31, 2015.
PW2.11 - A Road Safety Plan for Toronto
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Referred
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on March 31, April 1 and 2, 2015, referred Item PW2.11 back to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee for further consideration.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-76793.pdf
Communications (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/cc/comm/communicationfile-52129.pdf
Motions (City Council)
That City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, in his report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee in the fourth quarter of 2015 on a comprehensive plan to improve road safety, to include a review of best practices and recommended strategies for further discouraging distracted behaviours by all road users, including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
That City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee on:
a. a policy, including criteria, for intersections where pedestrian priority phase signals (Scramble Crossing) or other options would be considered in the future
b. intersections which meet the criteria; and
c. a timeline to implement pedestrian priority phase signals at the identified intersections.
That City Council refer Item PW2.11 back to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee for further consideration.
Vote (Refer Item) Apr-02-2015 6:39 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - PW2.11 - Moeser - motion 3 - refer the item |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 17 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Glenn De Baeremaeker, John Filion, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, Jaye Robinson, John Tory |
| Total members that voted No: 15 | Members that voted No are Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Shelley Carroll, Janet Davis, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that were Absent: 13 | Members that were absent are Michelle Berardinetti, Joe Cressy, Vincent Crisanti, Justin J. Di Ciano, Rob Ford, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Giorgio Mammoliti, Joe Mihevc, James Pasternak, David Shiner, Michael Thompson |
Rulings (City Council)
Councillor Perks stated that he had asked for an answer and had not received it. Councillor Perks did not apologize for his remarks.
PW2.11 - A Road Safety Plan for Toronto
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommends that:
1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with other City divisions, as appropriate, to report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee in the fourth quarter of 2015 with a comprehensive plan to improve road safety, including, but not limited to:
a. a review of international best practices from comparable jurisdictions, including Vision Zero;
b. review of existing city policies, strategies and guidelines that touch on road safety;
c. an enhanced analysis of city-wide traffic collision data;
d. specific recommendations to improve road safety, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, over the short, medium and long terms;
e. an implementation plan and funding strategy, as appropriate;
f. a regular reporting mechanism to track progress;
g. the creation of a Road Safety Advisory Group to engage key internal partners and external stakeholders, including but not limited to the Toronto Police Service, Toronto Public Health, the Disability Issues Committee, CARP, CAA, Cycle Toronto, WalkToronto, Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Sunnybrook Hospital and the Toronto Centre for Active Transportation; and
h. the creation of a Road Safety Task Force to be developed and led by Transportation Services.
2. City Council request the General Manager of Transportation Services to report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee with:
a. criteria to identify intersections which warrant enhanced pedestrian and cycling infrastructure;
b. a list of intersections which meet these criteria; and
c. a timeline to implement pedestrian and cycling safety improvements at the identified intersections.
Summary
In 2014, 51 Torontonians were killed and many more were seriously injured in traffic crashes. The trend is down but we can and must do better, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, our most vulnerable road users.
Vision Zero is an international road safety initiative that aims to eliminate traffic-related injuries and fatalities. Founded in Sweden in 1997, Vision Zero has been implemented in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and major American cities, including Boston, Seattle and New York.
While Toronto has a number of policies that speak to different aspects of road safety, we lack an overarching umbrella framework that focuses squarely on the issue.
That's why I'm asking for a comprehensive plan to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries on Toronto's roads.
We should learn from the expertise and real world experience of other leading jurisdictions, and the recommendation asks for a review of best practices, including Vision Zero.
The recommendation also asks for a review of existing collision data to inform our approach as well as a robust public consultation strategy, including the creation of a Road Safety Advisory Group to engage key stakeholders.
I have confirmed with staff that funding is available within Transportation Services' existing budget to undertake the development of a proposal for City Council's consideration in 2015.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/pw/bgrd/backgroundfile-76793.pdf
Motions
That the General Manager of Transportation Services report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee with:
- Criteria to identify intersections which warrant enhanced pedestrian and cycling infrastructure;
- A list of intersections which meet these criteria;
- A timeline to implement pedestrian and cycling safety improvements at the identified intersections."