Open Collections

Abstract

The redesign of the Chancellor Boulevard and East Mall intersection at the University of British Columbia (UBC) addresses existing accessibility, safety, and sustainability challenges. The current highway-style layout encourages high vehicle speeds, lacks infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, and contributes to cliff erosion through inadequate stormwater management. With increasing campus development and a shift toward active transportation, a redesign was needed to meet future demands. Urban Flow Engineering was tasked with delivering a comprehensive, context-sensitive solution meeting four primary objectives: (1) reduce vehicle speeds, (2) improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, (3) manage all stormwater on-site for a 100-year storm event, and (4) establish a defined gateway into UBC. The design process included traffic counts, site investigations, hydrological and geotechnical analysis, and Synchro-based traffic modelling. All designs adhered to CSA S16, CSA A23.3, and BCBC 2024 standards. Three preliminary concepts were evaluated, and the selected semi-actuated signalized intersection best addressed safety, active transportation, and future scalability. Key features include four new crosswalks, continuous bike lanes, narrowed vehicle lanes, and signal phasing optimized for pedestrian and cyclist priority. A robust stormwater system was developed to manage a 100-year storm event, featuring a 968 m³ underground detention tank and a 435 m² rain garden. Lastly, an 8-meter gateway sign, constructed from reinforced concrete and hollow steel, establishes a clear sense of arrival at the southwest corner of the intersection. Construction will start on May 1st and finish on September 30th, 2025, minimizing disruption to road users and nearby residents. The total cost is estimated at $3.97 million, with major allocations to civil works, stormwater infrastructure, and structural elements. Long-term maintenance plans are included to ensure continued safety and performance. The proposed design meets UBC’s transportation and sustainability goals through a balanced, forward-thinking engineering solution. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”