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Something about this picture is about to change.
As reported by Spacing's Wire this morning, new signal lights due to start working about a month from now will be the first sign of a new type of intersection in Toronto. It’s known as a “scramble intersection,” because traffic from both directions is periodically stopped at once, allowing pedestrians to cross whichever way they want.
Turning cars will no longer have to compete with pedestrians, but the main advantage is to the pedestrians themselves, who—while they may have to wait longer for their turn—will be able to cross diagonally instead of waiting twice. Pedestrians also won't be bothered by cars turning into their midst while crossing.
The most iconic intersection of this type is its busiest incarnation at Shibuya in Tokyo (perhaps best known to Westerners for its appearance in Lost in Translation). But they are also widely in use in some cities around the UK, where cars are never permitted to turn on a red light.
Oddly, Vancouver was one of the first cities to implement the scramble crossing in the 1940s, but it's taken nearly 70 years to work its way over to this side of the country.
Scramble intersections are also planned for Yonge and Bloor, Bay and Bloor, and Bay and Dundas later this year.
Photo by David Topping.
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It won't matter much to turning cars, since cars aren't permitted to turn at this intersection, anyhow.
I was just going to ask, if cars will now be allowed to turn there?
And, sigh, I hope this comes with a lot of pedestrian training. If people can ignore the NO WALK hand during an advance green, I predict the same fools to be jaunting out when it's not scramble time.
Barrie has had an intersection like this for years at Bayfield & Dunlop. It actually does work quite nicely.
Guelph has had an intersection like this for years at Wyndham & Quebec. It actually does work quite nicely.
I hope that they will not be allowing turning traffic. It would be best if the just added a scramble to the rotation they already have.
It seems logical that cars would now be allowed to make right turns on Yonge & Dundas, but that's just common sense talking.
I think Torontonians enjoy a good jaywalking, so this should make it exciting for everyone!
(My first experience with one of these was in Kanazawa, Japan a few years back.)
there's no compelling argument for removing the no turn signs for cars at this intersection. Quite aside from the number of pedestrians at the intersection, being able to turn would slow down the streetcars (something they can't afford) and reduce traffic to a crawl from University to Jarvis...
Yay scram, boo if they let drivers turn.
OK!
The shibuya video over at spacing is cool. there's some doofus on a bicycle who rides into the middle of the scrum crossing the street. If anyone on a bike tries to ride through Yonge-Dundas during a scramble, they should probably be mobbed. or arrested. or at least heckled.
Almost every intersection here in downtown Denver has the diagonal crossing lights. Works great, and makes you think less about getting run over when you're crossing.
@8: I love me some "pedestrian mob" justice.
I've seen it at Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills as well, one of the few places where people sorta walk in LA, but I don't think it's half as busy as it is at Y&D.
great news - the shibuya one seems to work great!
i have not seen any of these in vancouver, despite that they may have had their Canadian start here. Can anyone correct me?
@Rek – Kanazawa was my first experience with one too!
Small world!
The Post's article says:
One day!Actually that is the Barnes Dance.
Named after New York City Department of Traffic commissioner Henry Barnes who in the early 1960s came up with this method of pedestrian crossing.
I first encountered these about ten years ago when I lived in San Francisco. They were used along Montgomery Street, in the heart of SF's financial district (sorta like Bay & King in Toronto). They worked very well, even with cyclists riding through - although I agree that cyclists should dismount if they want to scramble with the pedestrians.
Something about that picture already changed... Forever 21 is at that corner now, not GAP. :D
I had lunch in Shibuya last week, and after 12 years in Japan, I still marvel at the sight every time. The key at Yonge & Dundas will be to allow right turns all 4 ways, and re-jig the timing of the lights to benefit both the pedestrians and the drivers. There is no reason to prohibit right turns with a scramble.
Also, that nutty cyclist has it right. It is like surfing, as you have to get out in front of the wave, get to the middle before the cross-wave hits, and you can ride right out the tunnel on the far side. ONly one cyclist can manage it per scramble. (He should still dismount, however, but that is how it's done.)