The Scramble, AKA The Pedestrian Priority Phase, AKA The Barnes Dance (after Henry Barnes who was a traffic commissioner in Denver), stops motorized traffic in all directions simultaneously and allows pedestrians to crisscross an intersection in any direction, even diagonally. Toronto is experimenting with the new scramble intersection at Yonge and Dundas Streets, one of the busiest intersections in town that is used by an estimated 100,000 people every day. It is supposed to make crossing the street a safer experience, which as we all know would be quite a feat.

The Yonge and Dundas Streets intersection has been outfitted with new traffic signals, new signs, and appropriate pavement markings. Ten television cameras are recording the activity so that the experiment can be properly accessed. In order to ensure that everyone understands the new method of crossing the street, staff in orange vests are helping pedestrians and police officers are making sure that drivers are not going through the intersection when the all-pedestrian signals are lit.

This experiment is costing the city of Toronto $60,000. If this works it is a small price to pay for pedestrian safety. Downtown intersections can be challenging to cross with many impatient and aggressive drivers who have no regard for anyone but themselves. They seem to believe that turning on a red light even when pedestrians have a walk signal is their obligation and that red lights are merely a suggestion. Depending on how well Torontonians adapt to the new system, scramble intersections may be installed at Yonge and Bloor Streets, Bay and Bloor Streets, and Bay and Dundas Streets. Have you “scrambled yet”? If so, how was it?