Raise the Hammer

Toronto did a study of its PXOs in 2005-6. They determined that PXOs worked well under appropriate conditions, but also that there were some conditions under which they were not satisfactory. The appropriate conditions include (inter alia) four lanes or less of two-way traffic, or three lanes or less of one-way traffic; slower average vehicle speeds; and good visibility. They were less appropriate for major arterials with multiple lanes of traffic moving at high speeds.

Here is the report:

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/2006/agend...

And here is a journalist's summary:

http://spacing.ca/toronto/2006/05/06/ped...

Because of the heavier traffic volumes in Toronto (their "low volume of traffic" threshold for safe use of PXOs would include almost every arterial in Hamilton!), traffic tends move more slowly anyway, at least in the core. Our arterials tend to have timed lights that break up the traffic into clusters. There is good visibility between the clusters. Traffic flow on Toronto arterials is more constant, so visibility is less and substantial gaps are fewer.

Just speaking from the cuff, I would expect PXOs could be effective on Hamilton arterials with timed lights, because visibility at the head of the wave tends to be pretty good. At the No Frills at Main and Ontario, I have seen this scenario frequently: A low mobility patron begins to cross Main when the "green wave" is stopped. Long before the pedestrian finishes crossing, the wave begins to move, and the cars don't slow down or stop; they just weave around the pedestrian. Flashing yellow overhead lights, especially if accompanied by driver education as to their duties to yield to pedestrians, would allow the whole wave to slow down sufficiently for a much safer crossing. But, there may be many considerations that haven't occurred to me (besides the well-known uniqueness of Hamilton).

Comment edited by j.servus on 2013-11-11 11:08:59