Roads: Traffic Signals

[11th]

Since moving to the Netherlands, I have been examining how Dutch traffic signals manage to be so much more flexible and safe than Canadian ones, and I think a key factor is the widespread use of multi-stage crossings. And unlike the examples you might know in the GTA (University Ave, Highway 7, etc), the multi-stage crossings in the Netherlands still allow pedestrians to cross the street in one go.

I made a video to illustrate my thoughts:

This works well for jurisdictions that do not allow turns on red.
A more basic set up would be 4 phases of advance green, with pedestrians getting the walk phases on crosswalks that do not conflict with moving traffic.
That means, if you get a walk signal, no traffic will be in your way. Vice versa for vehicles getting a green light.
Benefits of this setup also include shorter countdown time and elimination of dedicated turning lanes.

 

[W. K. Lis]

This works well for jurisdictions that do not allow turns on red.
A more basic set up would be 4 phases of advance green, with pedestrians getting the walk phases on crosswalks that do not conflict with moving traffic.
That means, if you get a walk signal, no traffic will be in your way. Vice versa for vehicles getting a green light.
Benefits of this setup also include shorter countdown time and elimination of dedicated turning lanes.

The cities of Montréal and New York City are the only jurisdictions that prohibit right turns on red lights. Unless otherwise signed. Maybe it's time for Toronto (and the GTHA) to join them?

 

[Johnny Au]

The cities of Montréal and New York City are the only jurisdictions that prohibit right turns on red lights. Unless otherwise signed. Maybe it's time for Toronto (and the GTHA) to join them?

What else do Montréal and New York City have in common? Both are on islands! Except for the Bronx when it comes to New York City.

Toronto can have a canal running along its city limits so that Toronto can become an island.

 

[H4F33Z]

^^That's gonna be super controversial to do. But you know what else was controversial 5 years ago, The Bloor Bike lanes. Times changed. I think it's time for Toronto to take the plunge. It can start as a pilot.

 

[JasonParis]

What else do Montréal and New York City have in common? Both are on islands! Except for the Bronx when it comes to New York City.
Toronto can have a canal running along its city limits so that Toronto can become an island.

I sometimes view the Yonge spine as Manhattan, surrounded by the development-limiting yellow belts which act as our East, Hudson and Harlem Rivers.

 

[gabe]

I also noticed when driving in Europe that there are many yield signs but few stop signs. Here it's the opposite.

People here have no idea how to use a yield sign. The city replaced the yield sign on my street with a stop sign a few years ago because there was too many accidents.

 

[W. K. Lis]

People here have no idea how to use a yield sign. The city replaced the yield sign on my street with a stop sign a few years ago because there was too many accidents.

They should do what they do in Europe. Raised crosswalks and intersections.

 

[DSC]

This was adopted by Council in June 2020>

IE13.8

ACTION​

Adopted on Consent​

​

Ward: All​

Accelerate Implementation and Installation of the New Traffic Control Devices Including New Traffic Signals, Mid-block Pedestrian Signals, Pedestrian Crossovers, and Flashing Beacons​

City Council Decision​

City Council on June 29 and 30, 2020, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to develop an action plan to accelerate the implementation of new traffic control devices including new traffic signals, mid-block pedestrian signals, pedestrian crossovers, and flashing beacons from 18 months down to 8 months or less from the time that they are approved by Council.​

Background Information (Committee)​

(June 10, 2020) Letter from Councillor Mike Colle on Accelerate Implementation and Installation of the New Traffic Control Devices Including New Traffic Signals, Mid-block Pedestrian Signals, Pedestrian Crossovers, and Flashing Beacons (http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-147815.pdf)​

 

[lenaitch]

The cities of Montréal and New York City are the only jurisdictions that prohibit right turns on red lights. Unless otherwise signed. Maybe it's time for Toronto (and the GTHA) to join them?

The entire GTHA might be a bit much. There's a difference between a downtown intersection and the intersection of two arterials in the boonies.

 

[afransen]

Since moving to the Netherlands, I have been examining how Dutch traffic signals manage to be so much more flexible and safe than Canadian ones, and I think a key factor is the widespread use of multi-stage crossings. And unlike the examples you might know in the GTA (University Ave, Highway 7, etc), the multi-stage crossings in the Netherlands still allow pedestrians to cross the street in one go.

I made a video to illustrate my thoughts:

I checked out your channel. Some great content! Astonishing that you don't have more subs. Keep up the good work! Maybe you should collab with Not Just Bikes.

 

[reaperexpress]

I checked out your channel. Some great content! Astonishing that you don't have more subs. Keep up the good work! Maybe you should collab with Not Just Bikes.

Wow, thanks! That's really flattering.

I'm actually satisfied with the number of subscribers as it is, given my target audience. Whereas Not Just Bikes is accessible to the general public, my videos tend to be more technically oriented, aimed specifically at transportation professionals and enthusiasts.

While the number itself is low compared to channels like Reece Martin's or Not Just Bikes, the impact is surprisingly high since so many of the viewers are actually planners, engineers, professors or transportation advocates.

To increase the subscriber count I'd also need to make far more videos, which I don't feel like doing because YouTube is purely a hobby and I have no intention to monetize the channel like the above mentioned ones. (I've also heard that non-monetized channels don't get recommended as much by the Algorithm since they don't make money for Google). I have other full-time work that's also related to transportation, and after a full day I often just want to do something completely unrelated in my free time.

 

[Towered]

More new traffic lights coming:

Bay and Grenville
Dovercourt and Northumberland

 

[DSC]

Those among us who like Roundabouts my like https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-53947440

 

[afransen]

Those among us who like Roundabouts my like https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-53947440

Thanks for sharing. It's quite melodramatic to say they closed the intersection after a hit and run. Someone hit a bollard and the crossing was closed until it was replaced. I notice that they don't use any sharks teeth to show drivers that they should yield. Maybe not used in the UK? I have seen them here in Canada, such as in right turn slip lanes for pedestrian crossings. It also looks like the geometry might be designed for vehicular speeds too high for pedestrians and cyclists to have priority. In the NL, there are higher speed roundabout where cyclists and pedestrians have to yield for cars, but the crossings are much further from the roundabout so there is time for cars to clear the roundabout and people to see the cars oncoming.

I am amused by the guy quoted saying it just so confusing that he can't just whip through the roundabout and he has to look around. Try slowing down you numpty!

Mark Lawrence-Jones's heartbeat rises as he approaches the roundabout in his car.
First there is pedestrian crossing to negotiate. "You've got to look right for the cyclist, then you're on to the roundabout, then you're looking right for the cars," he said.
"Then, when you leave the roundabout, you've got to be looking over your left shoulder for any cyclists, and then you've got to quickly whirl around to your right to see if anybody is going to come across the pedestrian crossing.
"As I exit the roundabout I feel dizzy because I've been moving my head hard to the left and hard to the right to look out for people. It's very difficult at the same time to actually look where you're going."

How fast is this guy driving through the roundabout?

 

[Towered]

New traffic light coming mid-block on Bloor between Islington and Aberfoyle.