Improving safety conditions for pedestrians on our roads is the goal of the City’s Walking Strategy. Transportation staff continue to work closely with the Toronto Pedestrian Committee to identify pedestrian safety priorities and to develop visionary policies and projects.

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• Zebra Striped Pedestrian Crossings
• Pedestrian Countdown Signals
• Pedestrian Scramble Pilot Project
• Leading Pedestrian Intervals
• Accessible Pedestrian Signals
• Pedestrian Crossover Enhancement Program
• Pedestrian Safety Media Campaigns
• Pedestrian Safety and Injury Prevention for Children
• Toronto Police Traffic Services
• Crossing Streets Safely – Pedestrian Signals
• Pedestrian Collision Summary
• Pedestrian Collision Study
  

The purpose of the zebra striped pedestrian crossing is to make the pedestrian crossing area more visible to drivers approaching a signalized intersection, and to remind them that they must watch for and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Zebra crosswalk markings are longitudinal lines installed across the pedestrian crosswalk, parallel to the driver's direction of travel. The lines are 60 cm wide and are spaced 60 cm apart.

Zebra crosswalk markings are the standard crosswalk marking treatment for all signalized intersections and pedestrian crossovers in conjunction with all road reconstruction and resurfacing projects, and with all new traffic control signal and pedestrian crossover installations. The Zebra Crossing Policy was adopted by Toronto City Council in September 2006.

Pedestrian countdown timers indicate how much time is left in the green light phase for pedestrians to cross the intersection. These timers have been implemented at intersections in conjunction with a city project to convert traffic signal heads to LED lighting. Learn more about the new traffic lights.

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A pedestrian scramble phase (also known as the Barnes’ dance) gives a walk signal to pedestrians in all directions at the same time at a signalized intersection while drivers are stopped in all directions. The primary advantage is that pedestrians can cross the intersection without any conflicting motor vehicle movements. Pedestrians may also be able to cross the intersection diagonally, thereby completing two crossings at once. City Council, through the 2007 Sustainable Transportation Initiatives Report have identified four intersections for implementation in 2008: Bloor and Bay; Bloor and Yonge; Yonge and Dundas; and Bay and Dundas. Find out more information on Pedestrian Priority, or Scramble phase.

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This program provides an advanced walk signal so that pedestrians begin to cross the street before vehicles get a green signal. The Leading Pedestrian Phase has been initiated at the intersection of:

• University Avenue and Adelaide Street West More intersections will be identified for leading pedestrian intervals in 2008.

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The City or Toronto uses audible signals to assist pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired. A “cuckoo” sound, indicates that is safe to cross in a north/south direction. A “chirp” means it is safe to cross in an east/west direction. Find out more information on pedestrian signals.

This program is working to improve Pedestrian Crossovers (PXOs) on arterial roads throughout the City. PXOs have push-button activated lights suspended over the roadway that flash to indicate to vehicles that a pedestrian is crossing the road. PXO enhancements that have been recommended and are currently underway include: visibility enhancements like zebra striped pavement markings, flashing beacons and signs. Where warranted, some pedestrian crossovers on arterial roadways will be replaced with traffic control signals.

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The “Please Drive Carefully – We’re All Pedestrians” media campaign encourages drivers to be more aware of pedestrians. The campaign featured posters on transit shelters and the backs of buses. Posters were also distributed to libraries, community centres, schools and other locations. Campaigns were launched in 2003 / 2004 and in 2005.

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Young children need help to make safe decisions when walking near roads. They need to be watched closely and need an adult to cross the road with them. Learn more ...

For information on collisions involving pedestrians in Toronto, please view:

2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

In January 2007 the City's Transportation Services Division completed a pedestrian/motor vehicle collision review to identify the most common types of collisions that occur between pedestrians and motor vehicles. Read the full Pedestrian Collision Study (PDF).