[indense]

Right now, speed limits, red lights and clearly marked and separated areas for cars and pedestrians are the norm in cities all over the world. But that thinking is "all wrong" according to Dutch traffic engineer Hans Monderman, who says it is much safer to build what he calls "naked streets."

"We removed anything referring to the traffic, made it just a square and please find your own way. This is the middle of the city. This is social space, and in social space we don't want to interfere as government," he said.

What he has done with intersections all over Holland — and even on a section of Kensington High Street in London — is abolish the rules. No more speed limits, no traffic lights, not even any curbs to separate sidewalk and road.

Monderman says this scares drivers so much they slow down and move carefully to avoid hitting anyone.

I'm not sure that this guy has ever been to North America. In the areas in Amsterdam where they have done this, traffic is already a fraction of what it is on a typical Toronto street and pedestrians and cyclists greatly outnumber cars. In places where there are Toronto levels of traffic in Amsterdam, they still use traffic lights and yield signs and crosswalks and separate sidewalks/bike lanes just like anywhere else. The only roads in Toronto where traffic is light enough to do this are residential side streets but there aren't enough pedestrians on these streets to "scare" drivers and slow them down.

 

[caltrane74]

good news!

 

[samsonyuen]

Why Bay and Dundas though? King and Bay makes more sense, or Yonge and Queen.

 

[wyliepoon]

Some suburban locations that see high pedestrian traffic could use scramble crossings. Say Kennedy and Steeles (outside Pacific Mall) on weekends, for the hundreds of people who flock there by bus.

I guess scramble crossings would be good news for transit passengers. If the scramble crossing is able to stop all buses at a given intersection at one time, passengers would be able to transfer between intersecting bus routes without having to run and/or jaywalk.

 

[jmacmillan]

The so-called "scramble crossings" were in common use in Fredericton decades ago. They were simple and convenient for pedestrians. Wait for the white lights. Then cross anywhere. It was fun to cross diagonally.

 

[khris]

It's almost ready!
From:http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/

 

[Whoaccio]

Does anyone know if there will be diagonal lines painted across the intersection? Or will it just be left plain?

 

[ganjavih]

TLS looks pretty good in that pic!

 

[Dan416]

The intersection looks....the same?

 

[Tuscani01]

The intersection looks....the same?

Look at the lights... they are aimed diagonally at each corner and covered. There are also new poles installed, at each corner for a sign, its about waist high. (not visible in the pic above)

 

[Dan416]

I expected pavement markings/paint.

 

[CDL.TO]

I expected pavement markings/paint.

I would not expect any new markings until it's open (apparently not until late August). Maybe the day before. Otherwise it there would be real potential for confusion and collisions.

 

[nfitz]

I expected pavement markings/paint.

A month before it opens? That could kill someone!

 

[marcus_a_j]

How many people have been killed at Yonge/Bloor and Bay/Bloor as a result of the pavement markings (albeit slightly faded now) at those intersections?

 

[CDL.TO]

How many people have been killed at Yonge/Bloor and Bay/Bloor as a result of the pavement markings (albeit slightly faded now) at those intersections?

Huh?