August 26, 1998
To:The Chair and Members
Urban Environment and Development Committee
From:City Clerk
Subject:USE OF FLASHING HAND AND WALK SIGNALS
Recommendation:
WHEREAS Toronto Transportation Services plans to change the traffic signal system to include the flashing hand and
walk signals throughout the city, and to include a posted instruction sign at the push button at all signalized intersections;
and
WHEREAS from pedestrian experience, the flashing hand signal has not proven to be helpful; and
WHEREAS too many signals confuse road users, for example, the new section of Spadina Avenue; and
WHEREAS most road users in Canada and throughout the continent use, understand, and obey red, green, and amber
signals; and
WHEREAS pedestrians feel unsafe using many arterial roads in Toronto because of the high speed of motor traffic, red
light running, aggressive, careless right turns, and because of the short walk signal; and
WHEREAS the walk signal timing is based on a walk speed of 1.2 metres per second*, and allows insufficient time for
people who travel by foot;
THEREFORE the Toronto Pedestrian Committee proposes that the City's plan to install flashing hand and walk signals
a)be deferred and that appropriate staff be instructed to review and report, through the Toronto Pedestrian Committee, on
their performance and effectiveness;
b)that no further installations of such signals take place until the review has taken place and a report submitted within a
time line consistent with 1999 capital budget considerations; and
Re:USE OF FLASHING HAND AND WALK SIGNALSPage 2
(c)that the review include the timing of all current walk signals.
* Reference letter dated April 28, 1998 from the Toronto Transportation Project Planning and Design.
Background:
At its meeting on August 20, 1998, the Pedestrian Committee had before it a motion for consideration regarding the
planned change to the traffic signal system to include the flashing hand and walk signals throughout the City.
Betty Gattoni,
Committee Secretary.
