City
Add Bay and Bloor to the list of pedestrian scramble intersections in Toronto
Bay and Bloor has joined the list of Toronto intersections that feature pedestrian scramble crossings. I stopped by to check it out earlier this morning before the paint was even dry on the recently added street-markings, which encourage pedestrians to take a diagonal route when they cross at this location. The whole scene was in fact a bit comical as only a handful of pedestrians took advantage of the new crossing opportunity while traffic was snarled in all directions on account of lane closures surrounding the new lines.
The closures, of course, will only be temporary (I'd imagine they've already been lifted), but I can only imagine that a few motorists attributed the delays to the intervals of scramble crossing rather than the need to let the paint dry.
Despite the relative lack of pedestrian use during my visit, a police officer who'd been on the scene since 6 a.m. estimated that during the morning rush upwards of 60 people were crossing diagonally during each interval. That's not bad, but I'd assume that number will drastically increase as more people become aware of the new rules.
Bay and Bloor is the third Toronto intersection where scramble crossing has been implemented, following Yonge and Dundas (2008) and Yonge and Bloor (2009). Like the other two, the traffic flow alternates between standard signals and a Pedestrian Priority phase, during which all the traffic lights are red and the walk sign is on in all directions.
If there's one little problem, it's with the volume level on the audio warning. As Roger Cullman noted was the case with the Yonge and Dundas scramble, the warning just isn't loud enough when there's lots of noise on the street (although it's pretty easy to hear when it's quiet). This could cause problems for the visually impaired during rush hour and on busy weekends. The City, for its part, plans on monitoring the intersection and claims that it will make adjustments as necessary.
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Thanks for the scramble update.
I think the scramble intersections are mainly used to address the problem we see with corners that get super crowded... which is a major safety hazard as far as people getting nudged into traffic.
AARRRRGH!!!!111
Because he's the mayor.
Yours truly,
poortaste
If you're SO ANGRY THAT YOU NEED TO TALK IN CAPS HERE'S AN IDEA... call your freaking councilor and ask... it's paint and some different programming for the light cycle... it probably costs hardly anything.
Man am I sick of stupid outrage about nothing.
To those nominating Spadina, another problem (besides the size of the intersection requiring a very large time to cross diagonally) is a scramble would also severely hold up streetcar traffic, which would contribute to worse bunching than the street already experiences. If there was an option to allow streetcars to proceed before and after the scramble, that could help. As it stands however the right of way experiences WAY too many delays waiting for cars to turn left.
The 505 Dundas cars can get really backed up at Yonge & Dundas, on a street with as frequent service as Spadina, you'd likely see 5-10 streetcars backed up in each direction waiting for the scramble at rush hour.
To expand on what Rob commented above ....
I happen to drive through the Bay & Bloor intersection on my way to Canadian Blood Services in the Manulife Centre at 5:00 PM. I was in the right lane hoping to proceed straight, then turn right onto Balmuto to make my way to the underground parking. It took about 6 green light cycles for me to get through the intersection, where the left lane cleared out over only 2 cycles.
The reason for this is that the Scramble Intersection is missing one of the most important features of the "Barnes Dance". When cars have the green, there should be NO pedestrian crossing. This way cars making right turns can do so at will and the right lane will also clear out quickly. Also, pedestrians will not be crowded by creeping right-turning drivers putting their safety at risk.
I was also a pedestrian at this corner as I went over to Timmies before giving blood so I wouldn't be weak. There were officers on every corner supervising the first day of the Scramble. I explained this to 2 of them, and they had no idea what I was talking about. So I stayed through 3 cycles all the while commentating, 1) Scramble, 2) Green N-S, Green E-W. Seeing it illustrated, they said my explanation made perfect sense and I should send it in to the city (I will do).
(Full disclosure: my chosen mode of transportation is first walk, then bike, then public transit, then drive.)
So to summarise, during the 3 cycles of the intersection traffic lights, there should be:
1) Only pedestrians during the Scramble (no right turns on red for drivers)
2) Only drivers for Green North-South (no pedestrian crossing so that drivers can turn right at will)
3) Only drivers for Green East-West (no pedestrian crossing so that drivers can turn right at will)
This will allow for much improved flow for drivers and more safety for pedestrians.
Are you at this intersection basically every weekday at the same time? Cuz that's the sort of person I want to hear from when we're talking about something like this... and not really on the first day when motorists + pedestrians were probably taking more time than usual just to be careful and when there are lane closures which would cause delays on their own.
The "happen to" in my comment relates not to usually not being there or knowing the intersection (I do), but that I happen to DRIVE through the intersection which is actually very rare for me.
If your moniker means that you were born in 1978, I was living there before you were allowed to cross such a busy street by yourself. (If not, I retract that statement.)
The "happen to" in my comment relates not to usually not being there or knowing the intersection (I do), but that I happen to DRIVE through the intersection which is actually very rare for me.
If your moniker means that you were born in 1978, I was living there before you were allowed to cross such a busy street by yourself. (If not, I retract that statement.)
You're already suggesting it's basically a failure and the paint hasn't even dried... so year I think it's fair to get the context for what you're saying.
"The "happen to" in my comment relates not to usually not being there or knowing the intersection (I do), but that I happen to DRIVE through the intersection which is actually very rare for me."
Which was kind of my point... someone who is a driver in a car at that intersection around the same time every weekday might say "yeah I waited 6 lights... but then again that happens semi often anyways".
"If your moniker means that you were born in 1978, I was living there before you were allowed to cross such a busy street by yourself. (If not, I retract that statement.)"
I guess maturity doesn't come with age.
"pedestrians were probably" I was there. Pedestrians were oblivious.
"You're already suggesting it's basically a failure" I suggested no such thing. I explicitly outlined a way to improve it.
"Which was kind of my point" What is your point?
"a driver ... might say" More uninformed speculation.
"I guess maturity doesn't come with age." I apologise for teasing you because of your age. I should focus on the argument itself, but so should you.
Finally, just to be clear, I never suggested that the Scramble is a failure. In fact I told the officers (who agreed with my analysis) that I loved the Scrambles and hope to see more. My number one point however is that as implemented in Toronto we are foregoing one of the biggest benefits of the Scramble: Better right turns for drivers! This alone will remove an immense amount of the gridlock from Avenue Road to Church Street. And all the while pedestrians get safer and easier crossings. Win-win.
that is such a lousy place to cross
At each of these crosswalks, I have seen drivers gun it through the intersection when they see the perpendicular traffic stop, without noticing they still have a red light.
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