09-13-2016, 01:22 PM
(09-13-2016, 01:15 PM)ijmorlan Wrote: Are you telling me that drivers didn’t actually have to stop at the crosswalks in Toronto in 1980 which consisted of signs saying it was a crosswalk and more signs encouraging pedestrians to point in order to signal to cars that they want to cross? This is the bit I find the strangest about these level 2 crossovers. The first I heard of them was when I suggested at the Spur Line Trail consultation that Allen St., Union St., and probably some other streets should have pedestrian refuges at the trail. The staff suggested instead one of these “new” crossings but were extremely vague as to how they were different from previous crosswalks. Eventually I found the technical definition somewhere, and remained unimpressed with what they were saying. While I now think I have some understanding of the difference between the two crosswalk styles, they are really relatively minor differences and certainly nothing really new compared to what has existed for decades — it’s really just two slightly different signage and signalling standards.
Also, I was left with the impression that the staff would say almost anything to avoid engaging with my idea. Why not more pedestrian refuges, anyway? Most roads don’t need anything more than a pedestrian refuge, especially if the road is only one lane in each direction. They didn’t answer that question, just talked about a minor variation on the existing concept of a crosswalk as if it were a substantial new idea.
Thanks in any case for the discussion.
The crosswalk situation confused me for a long time as well, because I was taught, and it is true virtually everywhere else (probably in the world but at least in) the US and Canada, that drivers must yield to peds at crosswalks. That apparently isn't true in Ontario.
That's why the Ontario government created the PXO, which is a specific set of lights and signs which mandates pedestrian priority over drivers.
The L2 PXOs are basically just an update to the legally mandated signage which provides the option of leaving out some parts, like expensive lighting and gantries.
L2 PXOs are new though, during the spur line consultation they didn't actually exist yet in Law, so staff would have been hesitant to support them.
Generally though, you're right, regional staff's first priority is to maintain efficient automobile flow and additional pedestrian crossings hampers this. However, the region is currently doing its regular evaluation of the 20 year transportation plan, so, definitely give feedback here: http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/region..._democracy Indicating the need to consider more than just vehicular travel when planning for transportation needs.