In New York or Chicago, there are police officers who direct traffic during the rush hour. In Toronto, we don't have police with this job description. When there are incidents, we see police cars blocking the road. The officer is either inside the vehicle, standing beside the vehicle, or standing at the corner of the road. Knowing that they have blocked the road, no officer will walk further away from the intersection to redirect traffic. Everyone has to drive to the deadlock to finally discover what has happened. Similarly, when the intersection is extremely conjested due to a traffic light timing error. No police is showing up to help. It seems that the police doesn't know they have the right (or are not given the right) to override traffic lights and redirect traffic. But if the police are given this right, they aren't too excited about it.
I was in Chicago last month. Upon driving out of a Metra train station parking lot, I saw a police officer stopping the main traffic, instructing all vehicles from the parking lot to disregard the STOP sign and cross the road as fast as possible. Will we ever see this kind of police service in Toronto?
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Toronto Traffic Light Improvement Project
1. We often see traffic lights remain RED for lengthy periods even though there are no people or vehicles crossing the road, treating the main road like a side road. Although the minor road has no more vehicles, the lights don't change. It seems that traffic volume sensors are not installed in these places. Major upgrade of ancient traffic lights is required.
2. During the rush hour, major roads with more traffic should be given higher priority, reducing the chance of seeing a RED light. EX. Lawrence Ave. East. Vehicles are frequently stopped at every major and minor intersection. Traffic lights on this road are too frequent and always out of sync.
3. Traffic light synchronization is required for traffic lights in close proximity.
4. Minor road crossing should be disabled during rush hour. Whenever possible, maintain a RED light and create a sign for motorists to turn right during rush hour.
5. Extended GREEN light for construction affected streets.
6. Cyclic increased priority for reduced priority direction. EX. Northbound at Keele & Rogers, Northbound at Black Creek & Lawrence.
7. Street cars and buses need crossing priority. We already use transponders for automatic station calls. We can also use transponders to communicate with the traffic light so public transit vehicles receive crossing priority.
8. Traffic light differential between vehicles and pedestrians. Whenever possible, vehicles should be allowed to turn right at the start of the GREEN light. The pedestrian GREEN light should be delayed.
9. Yonge & Bloor, Bay & Bloor universal pedestrian crossing lights should be redesigned. Pedestrians are already given the time to cross in all directions during the "All Vehicles Stop" round. In the next 2 rounds, all pedestrian lights should be RED, allowing vehicles to turn.
2. During the rush hour, major roads with more traffic should be given higher priority, reducing the chance of seeing a RED light. EX. Lawrence Ave. East. Vehicles are frequently stopped at every major and minor intersection. Traffic lights on this road are too frequent and always out of sync.
3. Traffic light synchronization is required for traffic lights in close proximity.
4. Minor road crossing should be disabled during rush hour. Whenever possible, maintain a RED light and create a sign for motorists to turn right during rush hour.
5. Extended GREEN light for construction affected streets.
6. Cyclic increased priority for reduced priority direction. EX. Northbound at Keele & Rogers, Northbound at Black Creek & Lawrence.
7. Street cars and buses need crossing priority. We already use transponders for automatic station calls. We can also use transponders to communicate with the traffic light so public transit vehicles receive crossing priority.
8. Traffic light differential between vehicles and pedestrians. Whenever possible, vehicles should be allowed to turn right at the start of the GREEN light. The pedestrian GREEN light should be delayed.
9. Yonge & Bloor, Bay & Bloor universal pedestrian crossing lights should be redesigned. Pedestrians are already given the time to cross in all directions during the "All Vehicles Stop" round. In the next 2 rounds, all pedestrian lights should be RED, allowing vehicles to turn.
Introduction to the Parking Lot
The traffic deadlock in Toronto has been going on for many years. Aside from traffic conjestions caused by accidents, constructions, and festivals, Torontonians (and Mississaugans alike) are battling the road everyday, attempting to bypass deadlocks so they can reach their destination. This blog is a rant on the Toronto traffic condition, but it is much more than a rant.. it is a constructive criticism that brings up key solutions that will alleviate some or all of the traffic jam.
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