[Mihairokov]

Was nearly hit by a driver that didn't stop for a streetcar this past week on Dundas, so happy to see eventual automatic enforcement. You have to really mess up to ignore the streetcar driver signalling, honking, and the doors opening for the full length of the car.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

TTC and B.C.-based Gatekeeper Systems teaming up to develop streetcar safety camera pilot

Feb. 5, 2025

The TTC is improving safety for streetcar customers by piloting automatic camera enforcement technology for motorists who pass open doors. The pilot contract has been awarded to B.C.-based Gatekeeper Systems Inc.

Through the pilot, the TTC and Gatekeeper will develop and pilot a new enforcement system to record the incident and license plate information. Passing open streetcar doors puts those boarding and exiting streetcars in danger and illegal under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA).

Between 2014 and 2024, 141 individuals have been contacted by vehicles while boarding or exiting streetcars. In addition, the TTC gets anecdotal reports of open-door passing multiple times daily.

A change to the HTA made in 2021 means that as of July 1, 2022 camera-based enforcement is allowed. The TTC has been advocating for use of cameras since 2015.
The current fine for passing open streetcar doors is up to $183.25 plus three demerit points.

The pilot will cost approximately $460,000 and includes development, installation of cameras on four streetcars, and nine months of testing starting later next year. No tickets will be issued as part of the pilot.

“The City of Toronto has an ongoing commitment to safer streets for all road users, including TTC customers riding streetcars,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “I’m pleased to see this safety program moving ahead and I look forward to seeing the results of the pilot project.”

“The TTC Board has made the safety of streetcar customers a priority for our operations teams, and addressing those who illegally pass open doors is an important part of improving safety,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “Through this pilot, we can fine-tune the program and make the TTC an even safer way to get around the City.”

“Safety is our top concern, and every day, we hear about dozens of instances of cars passing open streetcar doors in mixed traffic with no regard for the safety of our customers,” said TTC CEO Greg Percy. “We are serious about putting an end to that through new industry-leading technological solutions. This is the first step in that process.”

“We are delighted to work with the TTC on this important initiative to improve passenger safety,” said Doug Dyment, Gatekeeper’s President and CEO. “Protecting people in transit is our corporate mission and we are very proud to add Canada’s largest public transit system to our growing list of transit customers.”

The TTC is also developing an on-street streetcar safety campaign to roll out in the coming weeks, reminding all road users that they must stop behind open streetcar doors.

This video is from 12 years ago, when the fine was lower. Having cameras catching and doing the enforcing will be opposed by Ford Nation and other automobile disciples...

 

[81-717]

A "road rule particular to toronto"? Wouldn't all other cities with trams have similar rules common sense where trams run in mixed traffic?

 

[Jonny5]

Huge numbers of visitors who are driving here have never seen a streetcar in their life.
I've said before there should be large and clear "DO NOT PASS STREETCARS WITH DOORS OPEN" signs on the Gardiner off-ramps.
It's not a total solution, but there are legitimately drivers visiting the City that have no clue how to handle streetcars, and something as cheap and simple as a sign on those offramps would cut back on this issue.

 

[drum118]

A "road rule particular to toronto"? Wouldn't all other cities with trams have similar rules common sense where trams run in mixed traffic?

I cannot think of a system in Europe where I have got off a tram in mix traffic like TTC. There was a line in Frankfurt that did in 2012, but had traffic lights behind the tram stops that were activated when tram was to entre the station box area with traffic coming to a stop. As it left the box area, the light change to green, but did not find that line in 2022.

 

[T3G]

A "road rule particular to toronto"? Wouldn't all other cities with trams have similar rules common sense where trams run in mixed traffic?

Perhaps they meant in Canada? I'm not aware of any other cities having operations where people step down into a live lane of traffic instead of onto a platform.

It could also just be Torontonian exceptionalism. We're pretty good at assuming no one else in the world is like us.

I cannot think of a system in Europe where I have got off a tram in mix traffic like TTC.

Bratislava and Prague. And I think Vienna, because when the mixed traffic stop was proposed in Bratislava it was billed as a Vienna-style solution. Regrettably I haven't been back to Vienna since I was 7 so I'm unable to confirm.

 

[Mihairokov]

Berlin is similar to Toronto with their (mostly East Berlin) trams:

In some cases, like below on Boxhagener, there is a raised bike lane which provides an easier step down. This is similar to what we do with our bike lanes with bus stops - the first that comes to mind is Sherbourne:

 

[drum118]

Perhaps they meant in Canada? I'm not aware of any other cities having operations where people step down into a live lane of traffic instead of onto a platform.

It could also just be Torontonian exceptionalism. We're pretty good at assuming no one else in the world is like us.


Bratislava and Prague. And I think Vienna, because when the mixed traffic stop was proposed in Bratislava it was billed as a Vienna-style solution. Regrettably I haven't been back to Vienna since I was 7 so I'm unable to confirm.

View attachment 629841
View attachment 629842

Been to both Prague and Vienna, but not all the lines routes and never saw or walked across a live traffic lane to get to/from a tram like TTC. Always had some sort of platform either as an island or bump out

 

[Kyle Campbell]

One branch of the Green Line in Boston has street running with you getting off in the middle of the lane (can't remember which one)

I think Pittsburgh also has some sections like this. But overall it's extremely rare. But I thought the streetcars had all the flashing lights now to tell cars to stop.

Still doesn't hurt to use the camera, I'd imagine it's essentially the same device they use on school bus's

 

[Steve X]

Berlin is similar to Toronto with their (mostly East Berlin) trams:
View attachment 629846

In some cases, like below on Boxhagener, there is a raised bike lane which provides an easier step down. This is similar to what we do with our bike lanes with bus stops - the first that comes to mind is Sherbourne:
View attachment 629848

Berlin definitely have many mix traffic stops like here. I always wonder how they got that much space to build those ROW on half their network. I guess it was easier when half the city was bombed at one point.

West Berlin got rid of all their trams in favour of subways. Anything in the west side were recently built.

You can see a full live lane of traffic here with no stopping allowed.

 

[bearcat]

Berlin definitely have many mix traffic stops like here. I always wonder how they got that much space to build those ROW on half their network. I guess it was easier when half the city was bombed at one point.

West Berlin got rid of all their trams in favour of subways. Anything in the west side were recently built.

You can see a full live lane of traffic here with no stopping allowed.

View attachment 629891

This is not uncommon in Melbourne, which I believe by some metrics is the largest tram network in the world.

See video here:

.

They also have "hook turns" there so cars turning right (our left) don't block the trams:

.

 

[T3G]

Been to both Prague and Vienna, but not all the lines routes and never saw or walked across a live traffic lane to get to/from a tram like TTC. Always had some sort of platform either as an island or bump out

They are not as common as in Toronto (I think there's less than 6 in the city?) but the stop shown in the example above was on the north side of the river.

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

www.google.ca

 

[bearcat]

They are not as common as in Toronto (I think there's less than 6 in the city?) but the stop shown in the example above was on the north side of the river.

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

www.google.ca

Just one stop further down this tram line there is one just like in Toronto for example, not even with the car lane raised:

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Northern Light]

TTC Service Changes are out for February 16th.

@Steve Munro does his usual excellent job laying it all out: https://stevemunro.ca/2025/02/06/tt...CqUGNC8MilPHrFu3ZA_aem_MvAwLz0YlRXbxXZoH71dng

The changes are generally modest in nature with the exception of construction-related changes for the work to come at the Bathurst/Fleet intersection.

But there are two very modest changes I'm keen on.

1) The Highland Creek bus (which I've never taken) is not getting a service increase or decrease! I know, I know....then what am I on about? Its getting its excessive layover times cut, so that it can maintain the same level of service with fewer buses
Do that to another 3 dozen routes, and there will be lots of buses/operators available to improve service!

2) They are consolidating 2 ridiculously close bus stops SB on Dufferin (Chandos and Geary) and replacing them with one, at Brandon. Even after this, no stops between Davenport and Dupont will be greater than 300M apart. Low hanging fruit; great, repeat at 8 to 10 locations every single board period until we're rid of the 300 most useless stops in the system.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Berlin definitely have many mix traffic stops like here. I always wonder how they got that much space to build those ROW on half their network. I guess it was easier when half the city was bombed at one point.

West Berlin got rid of all their trams in favour of subways. Anything in the west side were recently built.

You can see a full live lane of traffic here with no stopping allowed.

View attachment 629891

There tend to be no parking on such streets. Parking is on the side streets or parking lots. Toronto should ban on-street parking along most downtown streetcar and bus routes.