Urban Shocker
Doyenne
Lately, I've been putting sand down, as well as salt, when the temperature's very low. It makes a lovely crunchy texture.
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- Thread starter Beakster
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W. K. Lis
Superstar
See link on
Why Sweden Clears Snow-Covered Walkways Before Roads
Why Sweden Clears Snow-Covered Walkways Before Roads
In Swedish cities, the approach to snow removal used to be pretty similar to the way it is in the United States.
First cities would plow major highways. Then they would plow big surface streets, especially near large employers. Last, they would clear walkways and bike paths.
But after analyzing government services through a process known as “gender-balanced budgeting,” many Swedish cities, including Stockholm, prioritize snow clearance very differently. They now clear walkways and bike paths first, especially those near bus stops and primary schools. Next, they clear local roads, and then, finally, highways.
The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions explains it all in this English-language video:
An analysis of Sweden’s snow clearance practices showed that it disadvantaged women, who were more likely to walk, while employment districts where men predominantly worked were more likely to have streets plowed first.
Not only was the impact of snow clearance priorities discriminatory, there were negative consequences for society as a whole. Three times as many people are injured while walking in icy conditions in Sweden than while driving. And the cost of those injuries far exceeds the cost of snow clearance.
So the order was reversed. Municipalities faced no additional cost for clearing pedestrian paths first. And it reduced injuries, in addition to being objectively fairer.
Now Canadian officials are interested in importing the idea of gender-balanced budgeting, the CBC reports (link), which is expected to be a hot topic when world leaders gather in Davos this week.
First cities would plow major highways. Then they would plow big surface streets, especially near large employers. Last, they would clear walkways and bike paths.
But after analyzing government services through a process known as “gender-balanced budgeting,” many Swedish cities, including Stockholm, prioritize snow clearance very differently. They now clear walkways and bike paths first, especially those near bus stops and primary schools. Next, they clear local roads, and then, finally, highways.
The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions explains it all in this English-language video:
An analysis of Sweden’s snow clearance practices showed that it disadvantaged women, who were more likely to walk, while employment districts where men predominantly worked were more likely to have streets plowed first.
Not only was the impact of snow clearance priorities discriminatory, there were negative consequences for society as a whole. Three times as many people are injured while walking in icy conditions in Sweden than while driving. And the cost of those injuries far exceeds the cost of snow clearance.
So the order was reversed. Municipalities faced no additional cost for clearing pedestrian paths first. And it reduced injuries, in addition to being objectively fairer.
Now Canadian officials are interested in importing the idea of gender-balanced budgeting, the CBC reports (link), which is expected to be a hot topic when world leaders gather in Davos this week.
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Johnny Au
Senior Member
Don't tell this wonderful proposal to a certain faction of entertainment software enthusiasts...
dom rem
New Member
Honestly, there should be no law that you have to clear the snow off of the sidewalk close to your front property for 1 simple reason, that is the city's property not yours. Maby the city should pay local people in each neighborhood to remove the snow off the street they live in.
junctionist
Senior Member
I don't like the requirement that you also have to salt/sand the sidewalk in front of your home if necessary to remove ice. It's one thing to require people to spend a couple of minutes shovelling the sidewalk in front of their homes; it's another thing to force people to go to the store and spend money on materials to maintain the sidewalk that isn't even their property.
dom rem
New Member
Exactly a city sidewalk is not our property therefore we should not be forced or held responsible to remove snow or ice. Such laws should be removed actually.
W. K. Lis
Superstar
What's the situation on sidewalk snow clearing in the older parts of Toronto? Are the suburban councillors still against the downtown councillors when it comes to the plowing of snow off the sidewalks?
DSC
Superstar
You seem to further advanced that most of us with winter preparations! The 2019 budget has no $$ for more sidewalk snow clearing. The 2020 budget is not yet introduced or passed. Clearly adding more sidewalk clearing costs $$ so I doubt it will happen, though it clearly should. Other cities either clear all or clear none and buildings downtown pay private contractor to clear their sidewalks so their taxes might go up but their overall snow-removal costs would fall as clearing a whole street is FAR cheaper than clearing x buildings separately In many suburbs the City takes away 'private leaves' so maybe swap snow for leaves!
Admiral Beez
Superstar
Right now? Not so bad.
W. K. Lis
Superstar
This morning snowfall (Tuesday, February 16, 2021) was the biggest for the year (so far). Shows us how the city treats pedestrians as second class citizens (more like peasants). The streets were plowed, and even getting a second go. However, the snow windrows are dumped onto the sidewalks and corners, forcing pedestrians to mountain climb.
Accessibility for wheelchairs or walkers? Forget about it.
Until we get councillors who do not put their fingers in their ears when there is talk of pedestrians and accessibility, things will continue to be difficult to be improved for pedestrians and sidewalk snow clearing.
Accessibility for wheelchairs or walkers? Forget about it.
Until we get councillors who do not put their fingers in their ears when there is talk of pedestrians and accessibility, things will continue to be difficult to be improved for pedestrians and sidewalk snow clearing.
UntitledCyclist
New Member
Hello from 10 years later where I have not figured out whether this refers to the public sidewalks most of us downtown are tasked with clearing. You'd think with such a high number of people living on streets where we are legally required to clear our own snow, there would be some more formal guidance in terms of where to stick it. The snow, that is.
Northern Light
Superstar
Might take a court challenge on the rights of the disabled.
****
Of note, from an old City report: (about the AODA)
The Act requires that municipalities have multi-year accessibility plans that contain procedures and policies about maintenance of public infrastructure and public spaces such as sidewalks. Specifically, the Act requires the prompt clearing of snow along accessible routes intended for winter use, including sidewalks, pathways and trails
The report then goes on to say:
The AODA does not require municipalities to clear all sidewalks of snow, nor does it state a minimum width to which sidewalks should be cleared.
That report is here:
W. K. Lis
Superstar
Buttonwood Avenue is plowed and salted fine. Likely because West Park Healthcare Centre is located at the west end of the street. However, the sidewalks is a different story. Pedestrians are treated a second class. (Motorized) wheelchair and walker users are third class.
These photos are from the corner of Buttonwood Avenue and Birch Tree Crescent, that I photographed. There is no way a (motorized) wheelchair nor a walker would be able to navigate these snow windrows. Please have the sidewalk snowplows do a better job, especially at the corners. There is an invention called a dump truck can could help in removing the snow windrows at the corners.
(P.S. Doug Ford's mother-in-law resides at West Park Long-Term Care. Unlikely Doug Ford or his family would use the sidewalks, of course.)
These photos are from the corner of Buttonwood Avenue and Birch Tree Crescent, that I photographed. There is no way a (motorized) wheelchair nor a walker would be able to navigate these snow windrows. Please have the sidewalk snowplows do a better job, especially at the corners. There is an invention called a dump truck can could help in removing the snow windrows at the corners.
(P.S. Doug Ford's mother-in-law resides at West Park Long-Term Care. Unlikely Doug Ford or his family would use the sidewalks, of course.)
Admiral Beez
Superstar
SunriseChampion
Senior Member
Meantime, yet again, as always, the Marting Goodman Trail out my window is on its at least second pass of the day today.
You just have to know where to walk, I guess.
You just have to know where to walk, I guess.