Chances are, the city will put in more "incentives" to force the drivers to do what they are supposed to.
And what do you suggest? Ice creams for all the drivers who do as they're supposed to do? I've got news for you: There's a reason they call them "penalties" (fines, demerits, etc). Laws are *imposed* or anarchy will rule on the roads.
It's been used in Toronto for years at turns without much issue.
The problem is also the signage. It tends to be confusing, not very obvious in daylight and virtually nvisible after dark. The City needs to bring back the LED ones that were on King and look at each junction at various times of day and light level.
The problem isn't the event, albeit there's some fine-tuning to be done there, the problem is the front door, and who gets in. The signage and the nature of it is very important, it has to be authoritative and emphatic, with consequences attached...*guaranteed* by a red-light camera, as not all drivers, by any means, but a significant number will do as they please if they can get away with it.
As Fitz remarks though, pedestrians are also a concern, and not just at intersections. There's a reason that Bourke Street and many other transit malls have been strict in keeping pedestrians off the tracks.
If, and once the motorist situation is sufficiently addressed, cyclists and pedestrians are going to be the next one. That may sound heavy-handed, but it cannot be forgotten that this isn't a 'pedestrian mall'...it's a 'transit mall', moving the third largest number of passengers of all routes in Toronto.
The red light should never be permanently illuminated, otherwise, it conflicts with the other colors, and also breeds complacency.
Far less so than a sign that says same.
I think you miss the need to be so *legally* emphatic, and a solid red is posted in a number of situations, one being "wrong-way" roads. But it's the *rate and degree of catching miscreants* that means using a red-light. I'll double-check to see if a flashing red light is covered under the "Red Light Camera" legislation, but they mean different things. Flashing means stop, then proceed when safe. That's not the message necessary.
And sure as hell the passive signs aren't doing what they're supposed to.
Edit to Add:
[...]
RED LIGHT CAMERAS
Definition
205.15 In this Part,
"traffic control signal" means a traffic control signal as defined in section 133; ("signalisation de la circulation")
[...see section at end for reference...]
"red light camera" means a camera prescribed by regulation that is capable of photographing or capturing one or more images of a motor vehicle and of accurately and simultaneously recording data related to the motor vehicle and a traffic control signal. ("dispositif photographique de feu rouge")
Installation of red light camera
205.16 (1) A municipality may pass a by-law approving the installation of a red light camera at the intersection of two or more highways situated in the municipality.
Same, prohibition
(2) A red light camera shall not be installed at the intersection of two or more highways unless the municipality within which the intersection is situated approves the installation in accordance with subsection (1).
Same
(3) A municipality shall not approve the installation of a type of red light camera other than a type of red light camera that is prescribed by regulation.
Same
(4) A municipality shall ensure that a red light camera is installed, used, operated and maintained in accordance with the regulations.
Prohibition of obstruction of camera
(5) No person shall obstruct or otherwise interfere with the installation or operation of a red light camera.
Confidentiality of information
(6) Any information relating to a person that is gathered by means of a red light camera is personal information for the purposes of the
Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and shall not be used or disclosed except in accordance with that Act.
Red light camera evidence
205.17 (1) A photograph that was obtained through the use of a red light camera and that meets the conditions set out in subsection (2) is admissible in evidence in a proceeding under the
Provincial Offences Act in respect of an alleged contravention of section 144 or 146.
Conditions
(2) The photograph referred to in subsection (1) shall meet the following conditions:
1. It must clearly show the vehicle and the number plate displayed on the vehicle.
2. It must indicate the prescribed information relating to the contravention of section 144 or 146.
Photograph as proof
(3) In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the photograph referred to in subsection (1) is proof that the vehicle was involved in a contravention of section 144 or 146, as the case may be.
[...]
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bi...illID=1821&ParlSessionID=36:2&isCurrent=false
I can find no necessity for the light to be flashing or solid. It may be taken as being ambiguous, admittedly....
But here's the way around that, *and take special note* as the following flexibility applies in many Acts surrounding this situation, including the Controlled Access section of the HTA, and shout-out to
@reaperexpress, who's done some excellent digging on this:
Regulations
205.20 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations,
(a) prescribing types of red light cameras;
(b) respecting the installation, use, operation and maintenance of a red light camera;
(c) prescribing information for the purposes of paragraph 2 of subsection 205.17 (2);
(d) prescribing what constitutes evidence of ownership of a vehicle for the purposes of the application section 205.4 to this Part;
(e) prescribing what constitutes a photographic equivalent of a photograph for the purposes of the application of section 205.6 to this Part;
(f) prescribing anything that is required to be prescribed under this Part;
(g) authorizing Ontario to pay allowances to municipalities that are authorized to collect fines under this Part, providing for the payment of those allowances from the court costs received in connection with the fines levied under this Part and fixing the amount of the allowance;
(h) designating the municipalities that are authorized to collect and retain fines for the purposes of subsection 205.19 (1), authorizing them to retain the allowances referred to in clause (g) and requiring them to remit the remainder of the court costs to Ontario.
[...]
Definition of a a "Red Light" as per HTA, as referenced above:
133 In this Part,
“bicycle traffic control signal” means a traffic control signal where the coloured lenses each display a prescribed bicycle symbol; (“signalisation de la circulation pour bicyclettes”)
“indication” means a signal lens display that is activated by internal illumination; (“indication”)
“traffic control signal” means that part of a traffic control signal system that consists of one set of no less than three coloured lenses, red, amber and green, mounted on a frame and commonly referred to as a signal head and includes a bicycle traffic control signal; (“signalisation de la circulation”)
“traffic control signal system” means all of the signal equipment making up the installation at any location. (“système de panneaux de signalisation”) R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 133; 1994, c. 27, s. 138 (11); 2015, c. 14, s. 38
[...]
Regulations
(6) The Minister may make regulations providing for the posting of signs and the placing of traffic control devices on any highway or any type or class thereof for the purposes of this section, and prescribing the types of signs and traffic control devices. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 134 (6).
[...]
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h08#BK219
Make of that what you will...what's interesting is the *latitude* allowed to interpret application.
