Delegation Presentation: Traffic Volume and Speed on Rudyard and Stormont Roads

Presentation to Council: Rudyard Road and Stormont Traffic Issues

Your Worship and Council Members,

I am here speaking on behalf of a citizen and neighbourhood group concerned about the illegal left turns made from Helmcken onto Rudyard and the associated speeding through a 30km/h zone.

We have come up with a solution: a timed barrier.

Over the years the issue of traffic on the Rudyard and Stormont connection and in particular the illegal left turns has come to council a number of times, references dating back to 2009 and most recently in March & April 2015 and June 2016, references attached to this presentation. "A"

Over the years the Town of View Royal staff made numerous attempts without success to steer traffic away from Rudyard and Stormont by directing the increasing traffic volume to the main corridors of Helmcken and Island Highway.

The Towns actions thus far included the posting of reduced speed signs, the restricted turning signs and installation of speed bumps. We appreciate these efforts but they have not been successful and we know the situation is deteriorating.

Ticketing through the cooperation of the RCMP has been non-existent over the past year.

Figures collected last year through a contracted traffic studies and supported by data collected by our neighbourhood group within the last 6 months show these residential side streets are travelled by over 700 vehicles a day. "B"

Last year 125 of these daily trips were made by drivers making illegal turns during the restricted times; many of them exceeding the posted speed limit, disregarding the stop signs on the blind corner of Rudyard and Stormont and some even running the red light at Stormont and the Island Hwy.

These drivers not only bring noise and nuisance to our neighbourhood but pose a real safety risk to us the residents, our families, our pets & the wildlife of our community.

During the past year the number of illegal left turns from Helmcken has risen to an average of over 140 daily as recorded by one of our residents recently over a three day period. We suspect that number will continue to rise – especially when the McKenzie Overpass project begins and forces frustrated commuter traffic into the adjoining neighbourhoods.

Added to this mix is GPS guided commercial vehicles including heavy trucks and contractors trying to maximize their work day which will increase the safety issues and the higher vehicle weights will bring premature deterioration to the roads and their surfaces.

Our solution is an ensured enforcement of the current daily restricted turning times onto Rudyard Road from Helmcken keeping commuter traffic to the main corridors.

This would be accomplished by the installation of two single lane barrier arms near the mouth of Rudyard Rd at Helmcken lowered between 6:30 to 8:15am daily to ensure that illegal turning is not made.

These arms would allow residents of this neighbourhood to exit by triggering the one gate to open when approaching westbound.

First responders would also have automatic override both directions.

“Activation fobs” could be issued to contracted service providers, such as waste removal services, snow ploughs & brine trucks, allowing targeted access if the town deemed it necessary.

A fob, commonly called a key fob, is a small security hardware device with built-in authentication used to control and secure access to network services and data. The key fob displays a randomly generated access code, which changes periodically, usually every 30 to 60 seconds. A user first authenticates themselves on the key fob with a personal identification number (PIN), followed by the current code displayed on the device.

This closure would greatly improve our neighbourhood's access to the Stormont/ Island Highway intersection and limit the volume of vehicles on our streets. It would allow adults and children to safely exit their driveways in the morning, walking and riding without fear of frustrated speeding drivers.

This proposal can be accomplished with an estimated $15,000 capital expense, with the option to off-set costs if some aspects were completed by town staff. "C"

Out of respect for the town’s time previously invested we have canvassed our neighbours including streets where residents were opposed to previously tabled solutions.

From a total of 113 households we spoke with 86 and have the agreement of 74. The petition is attached and our colour-coded map shows this breakdown. "D"

We have also contacted View Royal Elementary PAC and they have said that they are impartial as the closure is before drop off times. (E-mail attached) "E"

We request please that Council consider our proposed solution to this long term problem.

This concludes the presentation, thank-you.