July 15, 1999
To:Etobicoke Community Council
From:John W. Thomas, P.Eng., MBA, Director, Transportation Services - District 2
Subject:Introduction of a School Bus Loading Zone
Gihon Spring Drive
(Rexdale-Thistledown)
Purpose:
To propose the introduction of a school bus loading zone on Gihon Spring Drive to service St.Angela Catholic School.
Funding Sources:
The funds associated with the installation of the appropriate regulatory signage are contained in the Transportation Services
Division's Operating Budget.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) a school bus loading zone be installed on the south side of Gihon Spring Drive to service St.Angela Catholic School;
and
(2)the appropriate City Officials be requested to take whatever action is necessary to give effect to the foregoing,
including the introduction in Council of any bills that may be required.
Background:
In February 1999, correspondence was received from Mrs. M. Tanzini, Principal, St. Angela Catholic School requesting
that "¼ a school bus loading zone be installed on the southside of Gihon Spring Drive to service St. Angela Catholic
School." (Attachment No. 1). This bus loading zone is required to meet the needs of children attending St. Angela Catholic
School.
Discussion:
Gihon Spring Drive between Mount Olive Drive and Kidron Valley Drive is a two-lane roadway; with a sidewalk on both
sides of the street. The parking and stopping regulations on Gihon Spring Drive are as follows:
(a)"No Parking, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday" on the south side of Gihon Spring Drive between Mount Olive
Drive and a point 176.0 metres east thereof; and
"No Stopping, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday" on the north side of Gihon Spring Drive between Mount Olive Drive
and a point 176.0 metres east thereof.
A map of the area is Attachment No. 2.
Section 175 of the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, requires that every school bus operator who is about to stop on a
highway for the purposes of receiving or discharging children shall activate, and while stopped, continue to activate the
vehicle's overhead red signal lights and stop arm until all passengers having to cross the highway have completed the
crossing. Section 175 also provides that, when this safety equipment is activated, all motorists must stop their vehicle
before reaching the bus and shall not proceed until the bus moves or the overhead signal lights have stopped flashing.
Ontario Regulation 615 of the Highway Traffic Act states that a School Bus Loading Zone may be designated to one side of
the roadway, on the side, which the school is located. The purpose of a school bus loading zone is to provide a reserved
area where school buses can receive or discharge passengers without activating the overhead flashing lights. School Bus
Loading Zones are primarily used in urban areas, where children are not required to cross the street to access the bus.
Conclusions:
The Toronto Catholic District School Board has confirmed that students are not required to cross Gihon Spring Drive at
this location. As a result, the activation of the safety equipment is not necessary to ensure pedestrian safety. Therefore, the
implementation of a school bus loading zone at this location would improve traffic conditions on Gihon Spring Drive
without compromising the safety of students at St. Angela Catholic School.
Based on the staff examination of this matter and the favourable support of St. Angela's Catholic School Administration
and Parents Association, Council's endorsement of the recommendations contained herein would be appropriate.
Contact Name:
Karen Kirk, C.E.T, Parking Co-ordinator, Transportation Services Division - District 2
(416) 394-8419; Fax 394-8942
John W. Thomas, P.Eng., MBA
Director, Transportation Services - District 2
Attachments
cc:Councillor E. Brown/Councillor B. Sinclair/St."G"
