Road design, safety and Vision Zero

[nms]

I've noticed that the Region seems to be rolling out changes to signalized pedestrian crossings where pedestrians get 5-10 second head with the walk signal to cross while cars remain with a red light.

[danbrotherston]

I've noticed that the Region seems to be rolling out changes to signalized pedestrian crossings where pedestrians get 5-10 second head with the walk signal to cross while cars remain with a red light.

This is a leading pedestrian interval. I seem to recall them having this years ago, say 2021 even. Also it was never 5-10 seconds it is more like 2-3 seconds. The intent is it is long enough for peds to step off the curb and get visible in the intersection without being cut off by right turning drivers.

I have no idea how well they work in practice. I kinda worry they will encourage more red light running.

[creative]

Not sure how it would encourage more red light running. The time adding to have to wait for the light is minimal. There has been one at River Road and the entrance to the Ottawa street plaza for some time now. This is a busy pedestrian crossing and it works quite well. The pedestrians are well into the intersection before the light changes for cars.

[danbrotherston]

Not sure how it would encourage more red light running. The time adding to have to wait for the light is minimal. There has been one at River Road and the entrance to the Ottawa street plaza for some time now. This is a busy pedestrian crossing and it works quite well. The pedestrians are well into the intersection before the light changes for cars.

I don't mean that drivers waiting for the green will go, I mean, drivers cruising through a stale yellow. It's the same reason that extending the yellow doesn't help, drivers begin to realise that they have more time to go before traffic going the other way starts to move. It's just human psychology.

And I don't care if _YOU_ wouldn't, I certainly wouldn't either. But some people do. I do think that because we do have _some_ red light cameras this is less of an issue in Kitchener than certain other places that are even more lawless on the roads.

Anyway, I'm glad it's working on Ottawa street. That is one of the most pedestrian hostile stroads in the city.