Pedestrians and cyclists to get a five-second head start at 80 intersections across the city by year’s end

Thestar.com
July 20, 2018
Clare Rayment

After council approved new spending on road safety amid public pressure, Mayor John Tory planned a press conference in Etobicoke Friday morning to highlight one of the accelerated initiatives.

The city is currently implementing leading pedestrian intervals at intersections identified as having the most incidents of drivers turning and hitting pedestrians who are crossing at the light. The modified crossings give pedestrians a five-second head start, putting them in view of drivers who are turning.

Mayor John Tory and the city have launched the Leading Pedestrian Intervals Program, an initiative that allow pedestrians and cyclists a five-second head start into an intersection so they are already within the site of vehicles when drivers start to make their turns.

The additional $22 million in spending approved by council last month will be used in part to increase the number of leading pedestrian intervals implemented this year from 40 to 80.

The initiative is part of the city’s Vision Zero plan, a program designed to reduce the number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths or serious injuries with a goal of zero every year.

There are currently five intersections where the intervals are used, the city said:

• Dundas St. East and Mabelle Ave.
• Bloor St. West and Runnymede Rd.
• Martin Grove Rd. and John Garland Blvd.
• Lawrence Ave. East and Curlew Dr./Railside Rd.
• Church St. and Gerrard St.

Tory said the initiative is something that has proven successful in cities where it has been used, resulting in up to a 60 per cent reduction in pedestrian and cyclist collisions.

“If you combine the common sense of this --which is giving pedestrians a head start --with the actual results ... we will see that this is going to make a positive difference in terms of the safety of citizens,” Tory said.

Council approved the increase in spending under pressure from the public who have criticized the city for not doing enough to prevent the number of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities and injuries.

Tory originally pitched spending an additional $13 million drwe his office and allies at first appeared opposed to it. Several more motions from left-leaning councillors to spend an additional $9 million were also approved.

The 80 intersections identified for the modified crossings are evenly split between the city’s four districts. To view leading pedestrian intervals candidate intersections (by district), see here: https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2018/07/20/tory-launches-vision-zero-inspired-safety-initiative-for-pedestrians-and-cyclists.html