The city and its local residents have a excellent opportunity here IMO. Though I wish their was more buy in on ideas that may not necessarily follow the norms of infrastructure we have all become acclimatized too.
Some images of a potential layout would include the following.
Both dedicated transit lanes moved to one side separated from car traffic by a center medium, ideally with greenery and a tree canopy where space allows.
The image below is closest to what I can see as a vision for the city. The modification of the below image would be two lanes of traffic with street parking/loading only where space allows. A center green medium separation, two lanes for transit completely dedicated with priority signal. Bike corridor where space allows for travel in two directions. Pedestrian paths and sidewalks on both sides.
Space allowing platforms can be positioned in the center of the transit corridors as needed to maximize space efficiently. This allows for one platform that a little wider as opposed to two separated platforms that would be thinner for effective space usage.
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At the two lanes of car traffic pedestrians crosswalks and sidewalks would be “built out” like this to increase visibility and local pedestrian safety. Street parking would only be on one side in this example were space allows.
The final result of the dedicated transit corridor would look something similar to this image with pigment red asphalt (not painted) and a elevated green medium. Just picture a tree canopy on the green medium-space.
And if you also want a example of where this has already been done in Toronto. Cherry Street near the Distillery District is the best and closest example. I personally believe it’s one of the best transit implementations in Toronto at the moment. I would recommend if you are ever in Toronto to walk or cycle the area.
I like the idea, but it’s not the reality. The current street is only 4 lanes wide, your example is 8 lanes wide.
The best solution is to remove two lanes, and hand them over as dedicated bus lanes. Not to use paint, but to have a physical way of keeping cars out of those lanes. Increase the amount to stops, so people can hope on/off easily. This would become an amazing street, with lots of little stores, bars, restaurants etc… Do it to the 401 as Dufferin is congested till the 401.
You are correct the street is only 4 lanes. But some items to note.
The left lanes are about a car and a half wide which gives us a extra full lane if we combine that space together. This underutilized space can be used for center mediums and larger sidewalks.
In dedicated locations this extra space can then be alternated with dedicated loading and unloading zones provided. Those unloading zones can also be elevated at sidewalk level to allow the the space to be reclaimed by pedestrians when not in use by a car or vehicle.
Example. Parking in designated loading and unloading zones at sidewalk level. When a car in not parking the sidewalk is reclaimed for use by pedestrians.
The intersection at some locations have dedicated left and right lane turns. This allows spaces for dedicated loading platforms at most intersection.
I know the plan is not perfect and the street does seem narrow, but with some cleaver choices in space planing and alternating designs along the corridor it could work.
The city and its local residents have a excellent opportunity here IMO. Though I wish their was more buy in on ideas that may not necessarily follow the norms of infrastructure we have all become acclimatized too.
Some images of a potential layout would include the following.
Both dedicated transit lanes moved to one side separated from car traffic by a center medium, ideally with greenery and a tree canopy where space allows.
The image below is closest to what I can see as a vision for the city. The modification of the below image would be two lanes of traffic with street parking/loading only where space allows. A center green medium separation, two lanes for transit completely dedicated with priority signal. Bike corridor where space allows for travel in two directions. Pedestrian paths and sidewalks on both sides.
Space allowing platforms can be positioned in the center of the transit corridors as needed to maximize space efficiently. This allows for one platform that a little wider as opposed to two separated platforms that would be thinner for effective space usage.
At the two lanes of car traffic pedestrians crosswalks and sidewalks would be “built out” like this to increase visibility and local pedestrian safety. Street parking would only be on one side in this example were space allows.
The final result of the dedicated transit corridor would look something similar to this image with pigment red asphalt (not painted) and a elevated green medium. Just picture a tree canopy on the green medium-space.
And if you also want a example of where this has already been done in Toronto. Cherry Street near the Distillery District is the best and closest example. I personally believe it’s one of the best transit implementations in Toronto at the moment. I would recommend if you are ever in Toronto to walk or cycle the area.
I like the idea, but it’s not the reality. The current street is only 4 lanes wide, your example is 8 lanes wide.
The best solution is to remove two lanes, and hand them over as dedicated bus lanes. Not to use paint, but to have a physical way of keeping cars out of those lanes. Increase the amount to stops, so people can hope on/off easily. This would become an amazing street, with lots of little stores, bars, restaurants etc… Do it to the 401 as Dufferin is congested till the 401.
You are correct the street is only 4 lanes. But some items to note.
The left lanes are about a car and a half wide which gives us a extra full lane if we combine that space together. This underutilized space can be used for center mediums and larger sidewalks.
In dedicated locations this extra space can then be alternated with dedicated loading and unloading zones provided. Those unloading zones can also be elevated at sidewalk level to allow the the space to be reclaimed by pedestrians when not in use by a car or vehicle.
Example. Parking in designated loading and unloading zones at sidewalk level. When a car in not parking the sidewalk is reclaimed for use by pedestrians.
The intersection at some locations have dedicated left and right lane turns. This allows spaces for dedicated loading platforms at most intersection.
I know the plan is not perfect and the street does seem narrow, but with some cleaver choices in space planing and alternating designs along the corridor it could work.