Raise the Hammer
NYC Redesigns its Streets for Safety, Vitality and Diverse Use
New York City measures what it wants to improve: improve: more pedestrians, more cyclists, fewer injuries, less speeding, better business. Hamilton measures service level for drivers and calls it a day.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 13, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
Ghost Crosswalks Haunt Hamilton Intersections
Let's hope that recent citizen actions mark the beginning, not the end, of 'autonomous civic engineering' around our city, or at least spark a little serious soul-searching among those who do it for a living.
by Undustrial
Published May 12, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
Close Call on Longwood Highlights Incomplete Street Design
Given the current design of Longwood Road South and the uses around it, the question is not whether there will be a serious accident, but when.
by Sean Hurley
Published May 02, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (41 comments)
Two-Way Study Group Audits Queen Street
As the City continues to move forward in exploring how to address transportation planning, this participatory approach may be of great help to a Council looking to engage more directly with its citizens.
by Dave Heidebrecht
Published April 10, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
Cannon Street in Pictures
These photos show how dysfunctional Cannon Street is today. There is no good reason not to convert Cannon into a balanced, complete street right now.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 09, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (47 comments)
Complete Streets Renovations in Toronto Should Inspire Hamilton
As Hamilton prepares to do complete streets renovations on Queen and Cannon Streets, we should take a cue from Toronto's successful renovations on Landsdowne and Roncesvalles Avenues.
by Jason Leach
Published April 03, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (19 comments)
Hamilton's Excessive Overbuilt Roadways
Every square foot of unnecessary lane capacity costs us a huge amount to install, maintain, plough, and replace. We simply can't afford to waste money on unnecessary infrastructure.
by Sean Burak
Published March 28, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)
Kill a Pedestrian, Pay a $500 Fine
Far from always being 'blamed', the motorist who kills a pedestrian in a crosswalk is almost always given the benefit of the doubt.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published March 21, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)
Streets are for People
A city whose streets are designed for people in cars, but not all the other ways people use to get around - like walking, cycling and public transit - is dysfunctional by design.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 19, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)
One-Way King Street Strikes Again
People make decisions at the margin, and small differences in accessibility produce big differences in behaviour.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 18, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (76 comments)
Portland Bureau of Transportation on Traffic Management
Portland doesn't have 'best place to raise a child' as its official slogan, but they are light years ahead of us in achieving that goal.
by Jason Leach
Published January 25, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (32 comments)
Hamilton's Car-Centric Infrastructure Strikes Again
Each one of these deadly automobile-centric intersections represents negligence on behalf of the city, putting road users at risk with a benefit to no one.
by Sean Burak
Published January 25, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (90 comments)
OMB Rejects North End Speed Limit Proposal
The Ontario Municipal Board rejected a proposal to impose a 30 km/h speed limit on the North End Neighbourhood, arguing that the City's transportation plan will increase pedestrian safety without sacrificing flexibility.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 02, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (60 comments)
Data Show Traffic Volume Argument For One-Way Streets Is False
The data show once and for all that the massive one-way network that was built to accommodate the crush of north-east industrial sector workers is simply not needed anymore.
by Jason Leach
Published December 17, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (67 comments)
Sound the Alarm: Council Set to Engage on Complete Streets
As a dialogue on two-way conversions grows alongside similar dialogues on downtown renewal, economic prosperity, and municipal and regional transportation, the more citizens that truly engage in these issues, the better.
by Dave Heidebrecht
Published December 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (5 comments)
Getting Across: Fennell Avenue East to the Late Mountain Plaza Mall
After watching senior citizens play Frogger to cross Fennell between a senior's residence and Mountain Plaza mall, a local resident is asking for a pedestrian crosswalk.
by Joshua Weresch
Published December 05, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (27 comments)
Complete Streets Support Public Health
A Complete Streets Policy for the City of Hamilton would help the city focus on addressing the relationship between health and the built environment, but success will not come without public support.
by Maria Topalovic
Published November 29, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
Transportation and a Healthy Hamilton: A Growing Community Dialogue
When communities attempt to engage with decision-makers on the importance of complete streets, it is crucial to frame the argument within the context of larger policy issues.
by Dave Heidebrecht
Published November 27, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)
Councillors Launch Complete Street Study Group For Cannon, Queen
Hamiltonians are invited to walk Cannon and Queen and plan their conversion from one-way thoroughfares into complete streets.
by RTH Staff
Published November 20, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (56 comments)
International Village BIA Formally Supports Walkable Two-Way Streets
'There is no greater obstacle to the success of businesses within our core, and no single issue that could be fixed more easily' than conversion to two-way streets.
by RTH Staff
Published November 14, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)
Hamilton: Still Anti-Urban in 2012
King Street west of Bay carries 24,800 cars per day. As anyone in the area has noted, traffic flows fine with the lane closures, even during rush hour. The rest of the day it's a downright scary freeway.
by Jason Leach
Published November 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (54 comments)
Enough is Enough: No More Pedestrian Carnage
City streets designed for slow-moving automobile traffic are streets designed to be inherently safe.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 02, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)
Lessons from Buffalo for Hunter Street
Hunter Street has room for curbside parking and two-way bike lanes, and one traffic lane is more than enough capacity for the number of cars it carries today.
by Jason Leach
Published October 26, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)
Turning Cannon into a Complete Street
Now is the time to bring balance and complete streets to our major one-way corridors through our urban neighbourhoods and through the heart of our downtown commercial district.
by Jason Leach
Published October 18, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (24 comments)
Greetings From London
A recent visitor to Hamilton loved our hospitality and friendliness, but was seriously off-put by our intimidating and confusing one-way streets.
by Jenn Nelson
Published September 26, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (36 comments)
Two-Way Street Networks are More Resilient
Too much of the debate over Hamilton's streets is driven by familiarity with the status quo, fear of change and a tendency to rationalize existing beliefs instead of reasoning from evidence.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 25, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (8 comments)
Two-Way Complete Streets Safer for Pedestrians, Better for Business
My submission to The Hamiltonian's Perspectives Virtual Panel on two-way street conversion in Hamilton.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 22, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)
Coroner's Report on Pedestrians Recommends Complete Streets
The Ontario Coroner's report on pedestrians recommends a "road safety paradigm shift" to reduce vehicle speeds and improve the accessibility and safety of streets for all modes, especially the most vulnerable road users.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 20, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
Comparing Traffic Volumes on One-Way and Two-Way Streets
What happens to the traffic volume argument against two-way conversion when our city's two-way streets actually carry more cars than the one-ways?
by Jason Leach
Published September 19, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (29 comments)
Complete Streets Would Help Code Red Areas
I'm not asking Hamilton City Council to lead the way or do anything ground-breaking. I simply ask that we learn from other cities that have already led the way and have done things that work.
by Jason Leach
Published September 11, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (50 comments)
Who Has a Story to Tell?
The flurry of facts, figures and studies surrounding the benefits of change are no match for a compelling narrative.
by Jason Allen
Published September 11, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (27 comments)
Councillors Balk at Implementing Two-Way Streets
Fear of change was the order of the day among mountain and suburban councillors, who backed away from a proposal to implement the 'Putting People First' agenda approved in 2001 and reaffirmed in 2008.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (119 comments)
84 Letters for Councillors on Two-Way Implementation Team
Of the 84 letters residents submitted to today's General Issues Committee meeting, 80 fully support Councillor McHattie's motion to establish a one-way to two-way implementation team and only three oppose it.
by RTH Staff
Published September 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)
One-Way Streets Make Wayfinding More Difficult
One-way streets help create distorted cognitive maps of a city that present it as inaccessible, with incredible friction of mobility.
by Dwayne Ali
Published September 05, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (18 comments)
Two-Way Streets Support Neighbourhood Equity
Complete streets, neighbourhood equity and an aging population are important considerations for the proposed two-way streets implementation committee.
by Sara Mayo
Published September 05, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (94 comments)
Take Action to Support Two-Way Implementation Team
Take a few minutes to send a letter of support for Councillor McHattie's two-way implementation team before noon on Wednesday, September 5.
by Ryan McGreal
Published September 04, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (39 comments)
Motion to Establish a One-Way to Two-Way Implementation Team
Councillor McHattie's motion would establish a committee to plan and implement two-way conversions across Wards 1 and 2, starting with Cannon and Queen Street.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 31, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (54 comments)
Proposal to Convert Mary Street to Two-Way Between Barton and King William
Perhaps we have been going about this the wrong way and should just start asking our Councillors to convert specific streets to two-way traffic.
by John Neary
Published August 13, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (28 comments)
One-Way Streets and Two-Way Conversion in Paris
It is possible to make a one-way street like Main pedestrian-friendly, but it would involve huge cost and a major decrease in traffic capacity - and it wouldn't address the harm done to local businesses.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published June 22, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)
The Mystery of the Missing Gridlock: Induced Demand, Generated Traffic and Misleading Models
Accurate traffic forecasting must take into account the feedback effects of spare capacity (to increase demand) and congestion (to reduce demand), as well as the broader land-use implications of roadway design.
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 21, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (30 comments)
One-Way Streets are Holding Hamilton Back
Until Hamilton's main east-west streets are returned to even a modicum of livability, there's really no point in talking about inviting new business or slapping up snazzy banners and calling it something-ville.
by David-James Fernandes
Published June 18, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (83 comments)
Collision on Cannon Street a Lethal Wake-Up Call
How many more people need to be injured or killed before our Council and traffic engineers decide to engineer our streets for safety, rather than lethal speeds?
by Jonathan Dalton
Published June 13, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (118 comments)
Disconnects Between Two-Way Conversion Plan and Implementation
Citizens, staff and councillors have dedicated countless hours of discussion and debate developing the Downtown Transportation Master Plan, but there is a terrible gap between what the plans call for and what has actually occurred.
by Kelly Foyle and Simon Kiss
Published June 12, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (25 comments)
Hamilton Needs the Courage to Change with the Times
If your goal is to move as many cars through the city as quickly as possible, one-way streets are excellent. The devastating trade-off is that they destroy the livelihood of the neighbourhoods they pass through.
by Terry Cooke
Published June 10, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (20 comments)
The Impact of Street Traffic on Residents: Some Research Findings
Research from Denver and San Francisco indicate that traffic on one-way streets is more intimidating than on two-way streets, and that neighbourhood interaction declines as traffic increases.
by Sarah V. Wayland
Published June 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (12 comments)
Downtown Neighbourhoods Unite Against Dangerous Streets
We, the residents of downtown Hamilton, have had enough. We demand safe streets. We don't want studies, we don't want excuses. We want safe streets now.
by Jonathan Dalton
Published June 04, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (49 comments)
A New Vision For Main Street West
These illustrations demonstrate what Main Street could be like, what it should be like, and perhaps what it will be like if City Council - and the City's traffic engineers - heed the growing clamour for balanced streets.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published June 01, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (147 comments)
Traffic Engineers Reorganized into Multiple Divisions
Will the reorganization of the city's traffic engineers into more integrated divisions help to effect the shift in priorities on which our Transportation Master Plan is founded?
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 31, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (24 comments)
Support Growing for Walkable Streets
Momentum is building among councillors and city staff to revisit Hamilton's 50-year-old commitment to fast traffic flow through the core.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 28, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (42 comments)
A Conversation with Councillor Morelli
Ward 3 Councillor Bernie Morelli talks about improving walkability, building an integrated and connected transportation system, and dealing with speeding traffic and the challenges of an inner city ward.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 25, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (57 comments)
A Business Case for Conversion from One-Way to Two-Way Streets
Today, we have a better understanding of what ingredients can contribute to a vibrant and prosperous city, and it is not limited to traffic flow.
by Sarah V. Wayland
Published May 24, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (27 comments)
Usability and Usefulness of One-Way Streets
In the design of a city street - the most fundamental piece of public infrastructure - it makes more sense to target the broadest possible use, i.e. everyone.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 23, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)
City Streets Deserve a Chance to Succeed
Why are business owners on King Street less deserving of an atmosphere for success than business owners on King Street in Dundas or Wilson Street in Ancaster?
by Jason Leach
Published May 18, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)
Changing Our Perspective on One-Way Streets
The livability of our downtown streets can no longer be guided by those who see them only as a means to get through as quickly as possible.
by Aaron Newman
Published May 17, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (34 comments)
Walkability and Transit Are Key To Hamilton's Economy
A report commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce finds that "walkable environments should be viewed as economic infrastructure that attract employment and should be invested in accordingly."
by Adrian Duyzer
Published May 16, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (14 comments)
Searching for Answers to Hamilton's Love of One-Way Streets
Despite the success of the James/John two-way test case, why were we more progressive a decade ago than today?
by Keanin Loomis
Published May 16, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (69 comments)
Hamilton's Problem Is Not Ignorance
No matter how many times we hear from experts, no matter how many pleas we hear from the people who actually live downtown, and no matter how many cities we observe engaging in successful processes of transformation, we don't change.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published May 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (65 comments)
Safe Streets in Hamilton's North End up to Ontario Municipal Board
Urban neighbourhoods cannot go on allowing themselves to be terrorized by large volumes of traffic moving at high speeds on streets not meant to act as extensions of provincial highways.
by Shawn Selway
Published May 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (30 comments)
Hamilton: Succeeding And Failing At The Same Time
"On The Cusp", an event recently held in Hamilton, turned a spotlight on Hamilton's ongoing inability to engage in the fundamental transformation it needs.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published May 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (18 comments)
2012 Hamilton Transportation Summit an Important Step Toward Complete Streets
The annual Transportation Summit helps to fortify the ideas of sustainable transportation in our collective conscious and creates a forum for city staff to report on their progress and stay focused on improvements.
by Maria Topalovic
Published April 10, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
Longwood Road Plan Sacrifices Complete Streets for Cars
Against the city's own objectives, the Longwood Road preferred plan jettisons walkable streets, bike lanes, scaled roadways - any consideration of anything other than cars and trucks.
by Graham McNally
Published April 05, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)
Concerns About Longwood Road Preferred Alternative
Despite calls for better pedestrian and cycling access, the Longwood Road plan prioritizes automobile flow-through over other modes.
by Transportation for Liveable Communities
Published April 04, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (18 comments)
2012 Transportation Summit: More Experts for our Traffic Planners to Ignore
Expert after expert continually tells Hamilton to make its downtown streets safe and walkable, but we prioritize automobile through traffic over all other concerns.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 28, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (39 comments)
Plans for Pedestrians or Streets for Pedestrians?
Although the various plans and policies developed in Hamilton are usually progressive and intelligent, they are mostly ignored by our decision makers.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published February 18, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (33 comments)
Two Steps Forward, One and a Half Steps Back on Walkability
The City installs a signalized crossing at King and Pearl, but then prohibits pedestrians from crossing on the west side of Pearl.
by Jason Leach
Published December 02, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (71 comments)
No Excuse For Hamilton's Pedestrian Deaths
If a dozen people were randomly shot and killed in Hamilton, the community would go nuts. So why are we so complacent about pedestrians dying on our streets?
by Adrian Duyzer
Published October 22, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (45 comments)
A Distant Mirror: 40 Years of Urbanism in Vancouver
Vancouver and Hamilton were remarkably similar cities 40 years ago, but deliberate choices have put these two cities on diverging paths. This article examines the reasons Vancouver has become a city known for its livability and dense urban form.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published August 02, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (71 comments)
Enough Ideas: Time for Action
How many more times do we need to keep hearing the same message about what needs to change before we muster up the courage to act?
by Ryan McGreal
Published June 22, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)
Successful Pedestrian Places Can Inspire Hamilton
Successful pedestrian places provide public space that is attractive and functional, feels comfortable and safe, mixes a variety of uses (including residential), and de-emphasizes the automobile.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 26, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (98 comments)
Gore Master Plan 'Still On Schedule' Despite Pedestrian Pilot Cancellation
Instead of installing parking meters on an "interim basis", the City could have simply closed the south leg to through traffic on an "interim basis", granted nearby businesses some generous outdoor operating licences and watched what happened.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 25, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)
King Street East: Hamilton's Shabby, Neglected Gateway To Downtown
King Street East is just another example of the way our city's traffic engineering department is killing neighbourhoods across the city.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published May 08, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (51 comments)
Where Can Pedestrians Cross the Street?
Hamilton Police Constable Claus Wagner has kindly provided some clarification on what pedestrians are and are not allowed to do when crossing the street.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 15, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (11 comments)
Walkability Website Launches Local Campaign
A new website provides the ability for community organizers to launch local walkability campaigns.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 11, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)
Forgiving and Unforgiving Road Networks
The only way to achieve a real reduction in pedestrian casualties is through a street network designed to anticipate, tolerate and forgive human imperfection.
by Ryan McGreal
Published April 11, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (22 comments)
Ottawa Street Textile and Shopping District
The Great Places in Canada competition has taught us locally that we embrace and are proud of the type of experience provided by community-friendly neighbourhood streets.
by Larry Pattison
Published March 22, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (52 comments)
Hamilton's Great Places Can Teach Us About Livable Street Design
James Street North, Locke Street South and Ottawa Street North are among Hamilton's most vibrant, livable streets, providing object lessons on how to improve the livability of the rest of the city.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 18, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (36 comments)
Fast Networks, Slow Networks and Safety Through Negotiation
Safe street design accepts and embraces the idea that a slow network entails connections and interactions between people moving on it.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 17, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (65 comments)
Taking Steps Toward a Pedestrian Master Plan
The Pedestrian Master Plan is an opportunity for Hamilton to raise the priority of walkable neighbourhoods from 'nice to have' into a real strategic goal.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 10, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (13 comments)
Faults and Faultlines: On Making Safer Streets
We need an approach to traffic safety that assumes people are imperfect and establishes an environment that is more fault tolerant than our streets are today.
by Ryan McGreal
Published March 08, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (48 comments)
Will City Commit Fully to Livable Downtown Streets?
If we don't go all-in with our rapid transit plan, we're at serious risk of ending up with an underwhelming rapid transit system with minimal impact.
by Ryan McGreal
Published July 16, 2010 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (21 comments)
Two-Way Streets, Not More Studies
Hamilton needs to follow the footsteps of those cities that already mustered the courage to do right by their downtown streets and are enjoying the fruits of the urban renaissance we also claim to desire.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 21, 2010 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (63 comments)
So How's That Enforcement Working For You?
When policy goes up against human nature, policy loses every time. Successful policies work because they are designed to accommodate what people are going to do anyway.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 14, 2009 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (42 comments)
The Speed Factor
It's dangerous nonsense to suggest that speed is not a factor when a moving vehicle kills a pedestrian.
by Ryan McGreal
Published February 09, 2007 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (4 comments)
Safer Streets by Design
As well as trying to change behaviours, we should also arrange our physical environment so the danger of collisions is reduced without sacrificing the pedestrian character of city streets.
by Ryan McGreal
Published August 30, 2006 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (9 comments)
Boulevard of Repaired Dreams
Upper James is a nightmare today, but it would make a wonderful European-style boulevard.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 09, 2006 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)
No Two Ways About It
All the myriad encounters and interactions that take place in city streets collectively add up to city life, city economy, and city culture.
by Ryan McGreal
Published November 10, 2005 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (1 comment)
Open Up
The lesson for King Street West is to follow the lead of architect Bruce Kuwabara, who managed to transform an ugly fortress into a warm, inviting gallery, and open the facilities to the street.
by Ryan McGreal
Published May 31, 2005 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (0 comments)
Braving the Tunnel
Good streets aren't created by fiat, but given fertile conditions, good streets can be 'grown' over time. If we make the necessary changes, Main Street may still bear fruit.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 14, 2005 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (2 comments)