wacky free-for-all pedestrian crosswalk

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080828.wscramble28/BNStory/National/home

Before the morning rush hour, city workers will remove coverings from new pedestrian crossing signals and unveil Toronto's first experimental "pedestrian scramble" intersection, a traffic-light configuration that stops cars in all directions with a red light to allow pedestrians to cross in all directions, even diagonally.

From behind a windshield, however, the change may not be so popular. It will mean much longer red lights for drivers to make way for this new 28-second, pedestrian-only phase in the traffic-light cycle. Currently, the longest wait at this intersection for drivers (those on Yonge Street) is 31 seconds. As of today, the longest wait for a green light will stretch to 57 seconds, and green lights for drivers will also be five to eight seconds shorter.

D: disliked by cars but loved by walkers.

The scramble concept, long ago implemented in several other cities around the world, is also known as a "Barnes dance," after Henry Barnes, a traffic commissioner in Denver credited with coming up with the idea there in the 1950s and reportedly making pedestrians so happy they were "dancing in the streets."

D: before we get too worked up about drivers waiting for a minute- pedestrians wait 1-2 minutes at some crosswalks all the time. So suck it up!!!

canucks driving more.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080814.wdriving0814/BNStory/National/home

Statscan said Canadian drivers have shown they can sharply curtail consumption in the face of higher prices:

• The volume of gasoline purchased by consumers fell 12.1 per cent between 1980 and 1984 as prices rose 65 per cent.

• Consumption fell 5.1 per cent from 1989 to 1991 as prices increased 12 per cent.

A major difference in both periods was that real incomes were being squeezed by recessions, the agency notes.

D: but

A major difference in both periods was that real incomes were being squeezed by recessions, the agency notes.

Since 2002, real incomes have risen steadily.

D: the main reason folks switch to 'green' products, for example, is:
1) better product
2) better deal
In fact, being green rarely has anything to do with it.

The only way Canadians will drive less is an strong overall impact on their bottom line.
In the wallet.
Carbon taxes are useful in that fashion.
D>

air pollution casualties.

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/08/13/air-pollution-health.html

"This year, an estimated 20,000 Canadians will die from heart and lung illnesses brought on by breathing polluted air, the CMA said. Most of the deaths will be among people over 65, who are most vulnerable to heart disease.

The costs of dirty air, in terms of treating the illnesses in hospital and visits to doctors, as well as indirect expenses for time off work, will add up to $10 billion this year.

The costs will rise to $300 billion by the year 2031 if no improvements are made, said Dr. Brian Day, CMA president."

D: put another way, our vehicles will contribute $2-3B in medical costs this year.

So, does yer SUV still look cheap?

While bicycling in traffic, and stuck behind a car that revs its engine, and inhaling the fumes, I think of this one song lyric. "I eat what you excrete."

Pic:

http://www.ec.gc.ca/doc/media/m_124/brochure/images/BR_fig3_s_e.gif

why car drivers don't signal

http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/1100924,CST-NWS-ride11.article

The good:

Danek says some people are afraid that if they signal to change lanes, the car in the next lane will speed up to block their car.

The bad:

He noted that turn signals didn't even become standard in cars until the 1960s -- people who wanted to signal used to have to stick their left arm out the window.

The ugly:

He said it's also a matter of habit -- like buckling your seat belt. Some people aren't taught properly and don't get into the habit of doing it

D: over half of Americans don't signal!

See my bike blog. The accident types cars/bikes get into are aggravated by a lack of signalling.

But folks who signal don't automatically get off the hook. Some:

1) signal a mere second before hauling on the brake to turn. Useless

2) signal a whole block ahead of time, passing parking lots and turnoffs the whole way. Useless.

D: Might I suggest signalling 3 seconds before turning, after the last turnoff prior to the one you want?!

I saw a car with the rear running lights off last night. Get a second person to check your car once in a while, or walk around your car while parked.

Sadly, if I try to indicated a light is out with the "L -sign", folks may think I'm calling them a loser.I try toggling or covering my bike light to imply it sometimes.

toronto selling sidewalks at expense of pedestrians

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/473664

Lay-bys cut into sidewalk space to permit room for vehicles to load and unload or drop off and pick up passengers. Supporters say they improve traffic flow. Critics say they eat into public space, endanger the disabled and do not further the city's commitment to pedestrians and cyclists.

"Lay-bys are designed for cars, not for pedestrians, not for cyclists," says Shawn Tracy, president of the Bay Corridor Community Association. "There are a growing number of them. Once one establishment gets a lay-by others will want them – it sets a precedent."

D: Funny. The order of events is as follows. Before:

1) park car

2) walk there using sidewalk

After:

1) lose sidewalk

2) use lay-by

3) explain that parking/walking is not practical.

This sort of thing will snowball!