Toronto to get 'advance pedestrian signals' at 80 intersections across the city

Jul 20 2018, 7:36 pm

Mayor John Tory announced a new measure to keep pedestrians safe Friday morning, which includes the roll out of advance pedestrian signals at 80 intersections across the city.

Tory made the announcement at the intersection of Dundas Street West and Mabelle Avenue, a newly implemented intersection featuring the Leading Pedestrian Interval Program.

The program allows pedestrians to use an advanced walk signal at the start of each traffic signal change so they can enter the crosswalk earlier.

This advanced walk signal allows pedestrians, in particular children and seniors, to be more visible to traffic when crossing the street.

“I am committed to doing everything possible as quickly as possible to make our streets safer,” said Mayor Tory.

“I am confident these upgraded signals will make a difference for pedestrians – that’s why we have accelerated the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan so we can install more signals this year across the city.”

According to the City, research shows that Leading Pedestrian Intervals can reduce pedestrian-vehicle collisions by as much as 60%.

Advanced pedestrian signals were already installed at 40 intersections throughout the city last year, and activated at 12 of those intersections, and now the City is raising the number of installations to 80.

This expansion is part of the city’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, a long-term plan to eliminate fatalities and reduce serious injuries, with an emphasis on pedestrian, school children, older adult, cyclist and motorcyclist safety and reducing aggressive and distracted driving.

The City has committed $109 million to Vision Zero over the next five years.

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