Left-Turn Calming is a measure that aims to proactively reduce the risk of left-turn collisions at signalized intersections. It is one of the many safety measures in the City’s Vision Zero toolbox that are intended to eliminate traffic-related injuries and fatalities.
Left-turn collisions at signalized intersections are among the most prevalent type of collisions in Toronto that have resulted in fatalities or serious injuries to people walking and cycling – 18 per cent and 8 per cent respectively.
High-speed left turns are particularly an issue at wide suburban intersections where more speed can be picked up as a driver is completing a left turn at a relatively wide radius. There is a large area of exposure for people walking or cycling, driver workload is high judging oncoming traffic in several lanes, in addition to “back pressure” from vehicles behind the turning vehicle. The blind spot caused by a vehicle’s A-pillar (the windshield frame to a driver’s left) compounds the problem.
As part of this program, humps are installed at targeted intersections throughout the City to extend the roadway centreline or median on both sides of the crosswalk. These infrastructure additions result in safer turning behaviour by encouraging people driving to slow down as they enter the intersection, complete their turn at slower speeds and approach the crosswalk of the intersecting street at a sharper angle which provides better visibility to people cycling and pedestrians compared to cutting across the intersection diagonally. These Left Turn Calming humps are designed to be mountable as needed by occasional large trucks that require additional space to conduct turning maneuvers.
These measures are proven to be effective. In New York City, left-turn calming treatments decreased left-turn speeds by 10–20 per cent and reduced injuries among people walking by 20 per cent at more than 300 locations. Similar treatments in Washington D.C. resulted in 70 per cent reduction in conflicts and 10 per cent reduction in left-turn speeds at 85 locations.
As part of a two-phase pilot, City staff have installed Left Turn Calming treatments at several locations based on collision history, collision severity, and findings from past safety reviews. Analysis of the second phase of the pilot is anticipated to conclude by mid-2026, with the refinement of design guidelines to follow after. Additional locations and monitoring are being rolled out by City staff in response to further collision history and safety reviews. Some examples of Left Turn Calming treatments can be found at the intersections of Sheppard Avenue East and Kennedy Road, Steeles Avenue East and Don Mills, and Wilson Avenue and Avenue Road.