Raise the Hammer

Part of the problem is that the "approved" crosswalk solution in Ontario, the pedestrian crossover, is inconsistently implemented (not at all in Hamilton) and is almost as expensive as the pedestrian operated traffic light solution that is used in Hamilton.

In most other places, crosswalks are cheap and easy to implement: zebra stripes and/or white lines on the road, combined with one sign on each side of the road (and perhaps a warning sign further away). And these are regular traffic signs, not suspended, illuminated signs.

This cheap solution is used in western Canada (and France, for example), and means it is much easier to implement.

The rules for motorists at pedestrian crossings also need to be changed.

Currently in Ontario motorists are only required to yield (i.e. stop) when a pedestrian enters a lane travelling in the same direction they are (which is crazy). In BC (and most other places), motorists travelling in both directions must stop as soon as a pedestrian takes a foot off the curb.

As with cycling, motorists (and pedestrians) will be more respectful of pedestrian crossings once they are standardized and installed widely (ideally at every urban non-signalized intersection and in mid-block where the distance to the intersection is too far). This has always been the case in Vancouver.

As pointed out by other commenters, the pedestrian operated traffic light is a very safe solution (also used in western Canada), but in Hamilton they have drastically reduced its usefulness by making pedestrians wait so long for the light to respond. You are only forcing motorists to stop when a pedestrians actually needs to cross, so why is there any need to delay? If there are really so many pedestrians crossing that traffic is getting seriously jammed, then a regular traffic light (synchronized with the others) is warranted. If not, then there is no reason to force the pedestrian light to operate on the same cycle as the other lights which are timed for motor vehicles. Once again the time and convenience of pedestrians is valued far less than those of motorists (not at all, really, since they have to fit in with the needs of drivers) .

Comment edited by kevlahan on 2012-12-05 16:06:09