Raise the Hammer

I have specific issues with this post. Before I get into them, let me reiterate for those who might get confused, that I agree that Hamilton needs to do more to prioritize pedestrian activity, particularly in the downtown where more people are walking. However, where I differ is figuring out the circumstances where one can get outraged.

First, comparing the fully signalized intersection of James and Young to midblock (half) pedestrian signals at Hunter and MacNab / Herkimer and Caroline / John at Augusta is a flawed comparison. Half signals are put in place to provide pedestrian service specifically. A fully signalized intersection by definition operates differently because it has to service vehicular movements from the side street (Young) as well.

A half signal, since it's goal is to provide pedestrian service and a safe crossing environment, should therefore be operating in such a way as to prioritize the pedestrian movement, and be responsive to push buttons. Does this mean that if a pedestrian approaches just as the signal has returned to a green phase for vehicles that pushing the button should immediately reset the signal? No. A reasonable delay is fine. The definition of "reasonable" varies on the context, but should be based on the knowledge that pedestrians will only wait so long facing a "Don't Walk". I supported the outrage that the community and RTH felt when the crossing at Hunter and MacNab remained timed with the traffic signal progression on Hunter and ignored button calls.

In the case of James at Young, let's consider what happens when a vehicle on Young approaches the intersection on the red phase. Once the vehicle is detected, what happens? Does the signal change immediately? No. There is a delay in that situation while the timed cycle of the traffic signal is interrupted to move to the next phase, just as there is a delay for pedestrians who push the button for the crosswalk. Why is there a delay? For example, so that the "Walk" phase on James can switch to "Flashing Don't Walk" to allow pedestrians to finish crossing, then to "Don't Walk" when the traffic signal changes to red. It cannot immediately change.

Forgive the traffic engineering lecture, but I went through all of that for a reason. This signal is not "deformed". It's purpose is different from the signal at Hunter and MacNab, so it has been programmed and operates differently. James St S is at certain times of day a congested road, not only for vehicles but for the myriad HSR routes that use this road to head south up the mountain. Young is a very low volume side street. That has to be taken into consideration.

So I disagree that this is a situation where outrage is warranted. I think there are reasonable changes that could be requested. For example, the fact that a Walk signal does not automatically come up on the green phase for vehicles could absolutely be addressed. But the fact that the push button does not immediately change the signal in this situation, and the fact that there is an average 26 second delay before the signal changes, are not reasonable grounds for outrage. Vehicles on side streets have to wait for the same period of time for signals to change. Pedestrians should expect to wait sometimes as well.

What is the definition of an unreasonable delay? What amount of prioritization would be acceptable? These are important and interesting questions.

I welcome any and all comments.