Traffic expert reveals one way Toronto could ease congestions on the roads
Toronto streets seem more jammed than they have any time since the pandemic began, and a traffic systems expert at the University of Toronto says it may be public health advice that could do more to clear traffic on the roadways.
Professor Baher Abdulhai is offering the same prescription for traffic congestion that we have heard from his colleagues in public health pushing to fight the spread of COVID-19: get vaccinated.
“One obvious answer is, vaccination, vaccination, vaccination. Take the virus out of the equation and go back to normal life,” said Abdulhai, the director of Toronto’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Centre.
The reason, Abdulhai says, is that while people believe COVID-19 remains a threat, they are less likely to go into close quarters with strangers, which means they are less likely to take public transit.
That means the people who might be occupying a small space on a bus or a train may be choosing to use vehicles that occupy a much larger space on the roads, he said.
“If people continue to avoid transit for obvious reasons, the other main option is driving,” he said. “No transportation planner ever factored in the possibility of attracting a deadly virus.”
“This is a showstopper that became a game changer. It’s going to take a bit of time for the risk to disappear, for people to realize that and start trusting taking public transit again,” he said.
Toronto Transportation Commission statistics show that ridership is down to about 45 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
Driving, however, is only down to about 85 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, according to city statistics.
That means more slowdowns on roads that had been much more empty since March 2020.
“Today took me twice as long as it usually would to get from downtown to Scarborough,” said Emily Mills. “Downtown was lots of construction. Queen Street was a huge mess.”
A City of Toronto spokesperson said the city had granted more rush hour construction exemptions during the pandemic, but that it was rolling those back as traffic increased.
The city has brought together a congestion management team to anticipate increased traffic congestion, implementing programs including new priority bus routes in Scarborough that make local buses faster, a more connected city-wide bike network, and smart signals that will be deployed at 17 intersections starting in November.
The OPP said it’s preparing for some of the heaviest traffic volumes of the year on Thanksgiving weekend.
Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said the force had responded to more than 39,400 motor vehicle collisions so far this year, 195 were fatal and 5,100 resulted in injuries.
The expected higher traffic volumes had Schmidt reiterating safety messages.
“With increasing traffic we are getting congestion and people need to pay attention,” Schmidt said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.