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Proposal
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Introduction
The site analysis gives the base of the proposal to present variety of alternatives for the upgrade of Kingston corridor from Birchmount to Midland Avenue. The purpose is to improve vibrancy and try to fit the abundance activities of the existing neighborhoods along the corridor. The approach is identifying the existing conditions analysis that are base to develop design proposals. The main objective is to develop guideline to redesign Kingston Road to be a completer and more economical by improving safety, accessibility of all modes. This will be in consideration of all users to move at ease and comfortability.
Location Introduction
The Kingston Road from Birchmout Avenue to Midland Avenue is classified as a mixed-use access street. This type of street generally provides access functions and ‘rear’ service to neighboring residential and commercial properties, which often have their front doors on other adjacent Main Streets. Kingston Rd. From Birchmount Ave. To Midland Ave. Is an estimated 2.4 kilometers, while Kingston Rd. From Midland Ave. To Birchmount Ave. is around 2.5 kilometers long.
Objectives
To identify existing issues, obstacles and opportunities for the improvement of Kingston Road within the section specified.
1. To identify critical areas that requires reinvestment and upgrades.
2. To determine suitable approaches and actions that combine force of the city, neighborhood community, and private sector to take restoring Kingston Road.
3. To evaluate the appropriate designs options and establish methods to implement them enhancing the upgrade of Kingston Road specified sections.
SWOT Analysis
For the strength part, wide lanes can give more space for improvements. Moreover, it can accommodate more vehicles and can avoid causing traffic jams. As far as our group’s fieldwork is concerned, the whole street is free from morning rush hour congestion.
For the weakness part, Inadequate infrastructure is a weakness in this area because there are no benches or other facilities, including bike racks and waiting areas for the public. It can also be seen from the picture that if it is raining or snowing, the glass cover of the bus waiting area cannot give a comfortable and warm environment to the pedestrians waiting for the bus. Last, the long pedestrian crossing distances and times reduce the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
For the opportunity part, there has enough space to add bike lanes. Also, can expand side walk here.
For the threats part, the intersection safety issues is a big problem here. With Kingston Road, pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles are all mixed together. In addition, bus users and pedestrians often interfere with drivers’ sight lines near intersections due to the proximity of bus stops to corners. The distance and length of time it takes for pedestrians to cross the street is also another problem on this road. There has an example on Midland intersection. The intersection is very crowded with sidewalks, motor vehicle lanes, and bus stops concentrated in the same area. Placing a bus stop at the junction of a sidewalk and a driveway is a very unwise move. This threatens the safety of pedestrians. It also tends to cause traffic jams.
Without the cycle lane is a big issue here. The bicycle mixed with pedestrians and vehicles, which is dangerous.
Existing Conditions
According to the collision data, the most common collision involved motorists colliding with other motorists. Collisions resulted primarily from drivers speeding, failing to yield and signal when making turns, failing to yield to bicyclists when opening car doors and when turning, and failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. From this aspect, adding bike lanes and separating people and vehicles can solve some of the traffic accidents.
Mixed Use Areas
The study stretch is approximately 2.4 KM from Midland Avenue to Birchmount Avenue. The area incorporates the whole community. Thus, it will provide a broader understanding to assist in identifying areas of improvement. The stretch of the corridor is classified as a mixed use access street. From street classification, this generally provides access functions of vehicular, bicycles services and pedestrian access to the community, private’s properties and the adjacent building along the Kingston Road.
The corridor sections portray a pedestrian scale street, four lanes wide, with on street parking in multiple points. It is approximately 3 kilometers from Victoria Park Ave. in the west to east of Birchmount Road. The area is of mixed use with the west end Henley Gardens, the east end with Rosetta McClain Gardens and Birchmount Park. On the other hand are community Centre that are Scarborough Gardens Arena and Birchcmount Stadium. Also, there is the existence of educational institutions which are Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute, Immaculate Heart of Mary Separate Elementary School and Variety Village, Birch CliffPublic Elementary School, and a small parkette provide separation of open space.
Neighborhoods Criteria for development within the Mixed Use Areas are included in the Official Plantoaddress the interface between the Mixed Uses Areas such as those along the Kingston Roadfrontage and the Neighborhoods. The Official Plan provides that in Mixed Use Areas development will create a balance of high quality commercial, residential, institutional andopenspace areas that reduce automobile dependency and meet the needs of the local community.
From
To
Sidewalk
Extra Sidewalk
Birchmount Rd
Lakehurst Dr
1.5m
0.5m
Lakehurst Dr
Glen Everest Rd
2.5m
Glen Everest Rd
Danforth Ave
1.5m
3.2m
Danforth Ave
Cliffside Dr
1.5m
3.2m
Cliffside Dr
Leatherwood Gdns
2.4m
0.4m
Leatherwood Gdns
Ridge moor Ave
2.0m
Ridge moor Ave
Sandown Ave
1.5m
2.2m
Sandown Ave
Kelsonia Ave
1.5m
1.3m
Kelsonia Ave
Midland Ave
1.5m
0.5m
From
To
Sidewalk
Extra Sidewalk
Midland Ave
Sandown Ave
2.4m
1.1m
Sandown Ave
Sharpe St
1.5m
1.5m
Sharpe St
Claremore Ave
2.2m
Claremore Ave
Highview Ave
2.3m
Danforth Ave
Birchmount Rd
1.5m
1.5m
Proposal and Redesign