Two of Toronto's busiest pedestrian crossroads could be transformed into scramble intersections next spring if city council approves the idea on Monday.

The proposal calls for the Yonge-Bloor and Bloor-Bay intersections to use red lights to stop traffic in all directions at once, allowing pedestrians to cross any way they like, even diagonally, says Bruce Zvaniga, Toronto's manager of urban traffic control systems.

Those on foot will also be stopped in all directions when vehicles are given the green light.

"The idea is to try and separate the time when pedestrians can use intersections and when vehicles can use intersections," Zvaniga told CTV.ca on Friday.

"The expected benefit is to pedestrians in terms of safety and general comfort."

But Zvaniga believes motorists will also feel safer making turns as they won't have to wait for crossing pedestrians or try to push through gaps when there are crowds of walkers.

Zvaniga said the main disadvantage with the intersections would be the longer wait times, which haven't yet been determined.

If the plan is approved, city officials will examine if the all-way stops could be turned off when pedestrian traffic is minimal, such as at night.

Trial runs for the pedestrian free-for-all plan would take place at Yonge-Bloor and Bloor-Bay because they have a large volume of pedestrian traffic, well over 10,000 crossings every day, Zvaniga said.

If the scramble crossings are eventually adopted, they would only be introduced at a few dozen of the city's busiest intersections, Zvaniga said.

The traffic plan is part of the Toronto Walking Strategy, an environmental and pedestrian-friendly strategy endorsed in the city's official plan for governing and growing Toronto.

Zvaniga said the idea for scramble intersections in Toronto has been pitched for decades, but he was only recently asked to give the initiative another look.

"The whole emphasis by council and the official plan in improving the pedestrian environment has really moved forward in the last two years," he said.

The scramble intersections are also referred to as the Barnes Dance, named after traffic engineer Henry Barnes, who introduced the idea to Denver, Zvaniga said.

He wasn't sure if any other city in Canada has the crossings, but Toronto city staff has looked at U.S. cities where they are in place, including Miami; Cambridge, Mass.; and Denver.

Zvaniga said no firm conclusions could be made on the effectiveness of the crossroads. He said a trial run would be the best way to make that determination.

If councillors pass Monday's motion, the intersections would be changed in the spring, after the dangerous winter driving season.

City staff will also have to draw up a plan on what signs, road markings and public awareness campaigns would be most effective. Possible disruptions to public transit buses would also be considered.

Zvaniga estimates the test-runs would last between three to six months, unless they are deemed a terrible idea right away.