[Mind_the_gap]

Please forgive me, I couldn't find the precise post, but a while back a forum member said bike signals should have a "detected" incidator.

If we followed the Finnish model, it may look something like this:

The white LED on the bottom-right of the red signal starts flashing once a car/bike/tram/bus has been detected.

Source

Then we adapted this as the fourth aspect on light rail lines, like K-W's flashing horizontal bar.

German F4 signal

It could be done here in Ontario...

 

[trafficexplorerON]

There are actually places in North America that do this.
I recently learned from @reaperexpress that Portland experimented with several different styles of indication lights. They even have Dutch ring-shaped countdowns.

There's a study available at https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/56507. If I'm reading it right, I think the Dutch ring light was among the favoured options.

Here in Canada, Calgary and Halifax apparently have these bike-shaped lights that light up whenever a bike is detected.

Calgary cyclists to get detection information at Inglewood intersection - LiveWire Calgary

Calgary is piloting a new system that will better inform cyclists at traffic lights, taking some of the guesswork out of whether or not they’ve triggered a sensor. The city roads department has installed two units at a total cost of $3,000 near the pedestrian signals at the intersection of 12...

livewirecalgary.com

Almon Street Bikeway

Bikeway infrastructure along Almon Street, between Windsor and Gottingen Streets completes an important connection in the all ages and abilities network.

www.halifax.ca

And Edmonton has has these blue bulbs next to a sign:

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

I definitely agree that they would help with compliance here in Ontario, as well as make it obvious whenever the bike detector isn't working.

 

[trafficexplorerON]

I have a concept on what an amendment made to the HTA regulation 626 (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/900626) to allow transit signals could potentially look like. I posted it on my YouTube posts, but I decided I'd share it here as well.

First would be phase 1, where diagonal bars to represent left or right turn priority would be allowed:

Despite subsection (1), a signal head with the following modifications made to it may be used if a turning movement is restricted to transit vehicles or other authorized vehicles, or if a priority turn phase dedicated for a transitway is required:

(1) A left turn green arrow and a left turn amber arrow may be substituted for a diagonal white bar slanted to the left and a white equilateral triangle pointing upwards, respectively, if the left turn priority phase is intended solely for transit vehicles or other authorized vehicles.

(2) A left turn green arrow and a diagonal white bar slanted to the left may be used on the same signal head if the left-turn restriction for general traffic only applies during certain times, or if transit vehicles or other authorized vehicles require a separate protected turning phase from all other vehicles.

(3) A right turn green arrow and a right turn amber arrow may be substituted for a diagonal white bar slanted to the right and a white equilateral triangle pointing upwards, respectively, if the right turn priority phase is intended solely for transit vehicles or other authorized vehicles.

(4) A right turn green arrow and a diagonal white bar slanted to the right may be used on the same signal head if the right-turn restriction for general traffic only applies during certain times, or if transit vehicles or other authorized vehicles require a separate protected turning phase from all other vehicles.

Examples on signal heads that would be allowed by this:

This would have to be accompanied by a section in the HTA that defines diagonal white bars.
Once the white vertical bars to represent turns are changed to diagonal bars, the meaning of the white vertical bars can be changed to represent thru priority only. Then would be what I call phase 2:

Despite subsections (1), all of the following substitutions may be made to a signal head, if it is intended to be followed solely by transit vehicles or other authorized vehicles:

-A horizontal white bar for any red indication.
-A steady white equilateral triangle for any steady amber indication.
-A white “BUS”, or “TTC” light for a circular green indication.
-A vertical white bar for a green straight through arrow.
-A diagonal white bar slanted to the left for a green left turn arrow.
-A diagonal white bar slanted to the right for a green right turn arrow.

The meaning of each indication is based on what Quebec apparently uses. Now, every dedicated transit signal on Queens Quay, Spadina, St Clair, Finch, Eglinton, Hwy 7, Yonge, etc can be made fully symbolic, and therefore distinct from the signals for general traffic.

What are your thoughts on this? I know my writing is pretty bad.