Toronto Queens Quay & Water's Edge Revitalization | ?m | ?s | Waterfront Toronto

[AlvinofDiaspar]

This is common to road design in general. Most drivers know that even after a left turning signal turns red, there is still a considerable amount of time before the parallel direction is given a green signal. They exploit this and it becomes a habit. Unfortunately, the streetcars change things, and drivers are not thinking about this, because they are operating on habit / instinct.

Indeed, it is indicative of bad driving habits, habitual risk taking and poor enforcement of existing traffic rules. You know, along the lines of the yellow meant stepping on the gas pedal kind of thing.

On another note you'd think crashing into a streetcar in such a manner is far, far less damaging overall than a T-bone between two cars.

AoD

 

[the lemur]

This is common to road design in general. Most drivers know that even after a left turning signal turns red, there is still a considerable amount of time before the parallel direction is given a green signal. They exploit this and it becomes a habit. Unfortunately, the streetcars change things, and drivers are not thinking about this, because they are operating on habit / instinct.

Then maybe just a reminder about the presence of streetcars is in order?

 

[wopchop]

Indeed, it is indicative of bad driving habits, habitual risk taking and poor enforcement of existing traffic rules. You know, along the lines of the yellow meant stepping on the gas pedal kind of thing.

AoD

Indeed. A similar problem can be seen with bike lanes on Richmond, where cars are right-turning in front of bikes, and not checking before making the turns. In most cases, a car making a right turn at an intersection doesn't really need to check their blind spot, as there wouldn't be a vehicle approaching there. This habit becomes ingrained, and all of a sudden, you have cars in areas where they should be checking their blind-spot before making a right, turning across bike lanes and taking out cyclists.

 

[nfitz]

This is common to road design in general. Most drivers know that even after a left turning signal turns red, there is still a considerable amount of time before the parallel direction is given a green signal. They exploit this and it becomes a habit. Unfortunately, the streetcars change things, and drivers are not thinking about this, because they are operating on habit / instinct.

If that is indeed the issue, then you eliminate left-turns.

Or stick crossing gates in ... now that would get attention!

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

If that is indeed the issue, then you eliminate left-turns.

Or stick crossing gates in ... now that would get attention!

You don't eliminate left turns on Spadina (or indeed anywhere with streetcars), nor stick crossing gates there. Stop babysitting drivers.

AoD

 

[PinkLucy]

It would be interesting to put a bunch of those driverless cars on QQ and see what happens.

 

[nfitz]

You don't eliminate left turns on Spadina (or indeed anywhere with streetcars), nor stick crossing gates there. Stop babysitting drivers.

Except where they DID eliminate turns and crossings on Spadina to reduce accidents.

Trying to eliminate too-frequent accidents is't babysitting drivers. Are rumble strips babysitting drivers?

How do you propose they fix it. Doing nothing isn't an option.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Except where they DID eliminate turns and crossings on Spadina to reduce accidents.

Trying to eliminate too-frequent accidents is't babysitting drivers. Are rumble strips babysitting drivers?

How do you propose they fix it. Doing nothing isn't an option.

So? The fact being it's not a necessary solution of the road configuration. And of course not making physical modification is an option - the sky hasn't fallen inspite of the kerfuffle being made out of it.

AoD

 

[nfitz]

So? The fact being it's not a necessary solution of the road configuration. And of course not making physical modification is an option - the sky hasn't fallen inspite of the kerfuffle being made out of it.

Doing nothing isn't a solution unless you want to kill someone. There's no doubt there's a design flaw. I'd think that those who design and maintain would be facing lawsuits if they were to do nothing and someone died.

How would you fix this?

 

[PinkLucy]

Perhaps October 14 is a good time to find out? From http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/

It’s been almost three months since the new Queens Quay officially opened. If you live or work in the area, you’ve no doubt noticed the increase in cycling and pedestrian traffic along the redesigned street. This is a totally new kind of street for Toronto, so it’s taking some time and education to help people understand the rules of this slightly unfamiliar road.

In addition to the educational material we’ve been circulating about the new street design, we’ve also been observing the street, paying particular attention to how cyclists, drivers and pedestrians are navigating intersections and mixing zones. This formal audit of the new intersections has helped us identify a handful of trends that tell us where adjustments are needed. We’ve also been logging the feedback we’ve gotten via email, social media and our online form.

On October 14, we’re holding a public meeting to present a summary of the feedback we’ve received, our own observations of the street, and the adjustments we’ve made to reinforce some of the existing regulatory signs and signals on the new Queens Quay. In addition to this presentation, we’ll take questions about the project. Stay tuned for more details closer to the date.

 

[nfitz]

Glad to see that the experts think that some adjustments are necessary!

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Doing nothing isn't a solution unless you want to kill someone. There's no doubt there's a design flaw. I'd think that those who design and maintain would be facing lawsuits if they were to do nothing and someone died.

How would you fix this?

Frivolous lawsuits - there is nothing I dislike more than the blame everyone but themselves game. Waste of public resources on private stupidities.

AoD

 

[salsa]

Perhaps October 14 is a good time to find out? From http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/

On October 14, we’re holding a public meeting to present a summary of the feedback we’ve received, our own observations of the street, and the adjustments we’ve made to reinforce some of the existing regulatory signs and signals on the new Queens Quay.

Needs more signs!

 

[DSC]

Glad to see that the experts think that some adjustments are necessary!

They were saying that it would need "tweaks" for many months before it opened. They may be larger ones than they hoped but they were always planning some sort of review once the Pan-Am Games were over and people got used to what is, for us, a novel street.

 

[44 North]

One thing I'm wondering is if this "slow order" we're seeing will be permanent. Was it anticipated, or this an ad hoc solution? If we do a side-of-the-road alignment for QQE when it's built, will that lower peak capacity? Or reduce the scale of potential development in the EBF, LDL, and Port Lands?