How Mississauga's Pedestrian Head Start Signals Work
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image via Modern Mississauga Media
As one of 99 actions for Mississauga’s “Vision Zero Action Plan,” the newly implemented “Pedestrian Head Start Signals” are being installed at nearly 200 local intersections.
If you’re unfamiliar with Vision Zero, it’s prioritizes safety for all road users by slowing speeds, educating people and enforcing laws to support safer behaviour on the roads, as per the City of Mississauga.
So, how do they work? Start with this video below:
Using the Bristol and Whitehorn intersection as a reference, say you want to walk east or west on Bristol Road. Press the crosswalk button that activates the walk sign for Bristol and safely wait on beside the light pole until the Whitehorn light changes from green to red.
Once the Whitehorn light turns red, the Bristol light will also stay red while the walk sign appears, meaning only pedestrians are allowed to move and vehicles remain stopped as all traffic lights are red.
You’ll get a five-second (although it seems shorter in the video) to get a head start on crossing between the lines before the, in this case, Bristol light, turns green.
Bike Head Start Signals (also known as Leading Bike Intervals) are also being rolled out at select applicable intersections across the city.
Here are some of the nearly 200 intersections to implement this safety system, also known as Leading Pedestrian Intervals, with the rollout starting July 17, 2023:
Bloor St. @ Tomken Rd.
Central Parkway E. @ Mississauga Valley Blvd (South Intersection)
Burnhamthorpe Rd. @ Central Parkway
Confederation Parkway @ Fairview Rd.
Dundas St. @ The Credit Woodlands
Rathburn Rd. @ Fieldgate Dr.
Confederation Parkway @ Huntington Ridge Dr.
Morning Star Dr. @ Darcel Ave.
Confederation Parkway @ Central Parkway
Central Parkway @ Achill Crescent
Winston Churchill Blvd @ Battleford Rd.
Lakeshore Rd. @ Elizabeth St.
Southdown Rd. @ South Sheridan Way
Glen Erin Dr. @ Folkway Dr.
Mavis Rd. @ Courtney Park Dr.
Eglinton Ave. W. @ Glen Erin Dr.
Lakeshore Rd. E. @ Shaw Dr.
Eglinton Ave W. @ White Clover Way
Erindale Station Rd. @ McBride Ave.
Goreway Dr. @ Joliffe Ave.
Tomken Rd @ Meyerside Dr.
Eglinton Ave. @ Tahoe Blvd
Burnhamthorpe Rd. @ Absolute Ave.
Eglinton Ave. @ Kimbermount Ave.
Image via the city of mississsauga
