Busy intersection made safer after two pedestrians struck in Mississauga
Published January 31, 2024 at 10:13 am
A busy west Mississauga intersection has been made safer after two pedestrians were recently struck by cars.
City of Mississauga officials have installed “head-start signals” at the Thomas Street/Churchill Meadows Boulevard intersection to make the area safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
The intersection is particularly busy with young people as St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School is located on the northeast corner.
More technically known as a Leading Pedestrian Interval mechanism, the safety feature was installed in mid-January, according to Ward 10 Coun. Sue McFadden.
“Following two recent vehicle-pedestrian collisions, I requested urgent action from the city’s traffic division to install a Leading Pedestrian Interval signal at the intersection,” McFadden said to residents in her latest newsletter, adding the feature provides “additional safety to all road users.”
The traffic initiative was introduced in Mississauga two years ago with the goal of increasing safety for older pedestrians and others who face challenges in making their way across the road at busy intersections.
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Essentially, the LPI program, which is being used by many municipalities across Canada and the U.S., gives pedestrians the chance to enter the crosswalk at an intersection three to seven seconds before vehicles are given a green light.
So, pedestrians can then better establish their presence in the crosswalk before vehicles have priority to turn right or left.
“LPI is a traffic signal timing feature that gives pedestrians a head start into the crosswalk before the light turns green for vehicles,” Mississauga officials said earlier. “LPIs can help reduce conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and drivers at intersections.”
City officials add that LPIs:
- allow drivers to see pedestrians more clearly
- are helpful to those who may take longer to cross the crosswalk
- help keep the most vulnerable road users safe
The LPI initiative is part of the city’s Vision Zero program, which seeks to eventually eliminate traffic-related deaths on Mississauga’s roads.
Map shows location of intersection at Thomas Street and Churchill Meadows Boulevard.