Traffic signals and street lights are necessary to ensure the safety of vehicles and pedestrians. In an effort to meet this task, it is essential that signals and lights be functional and efficient at all times.
Traffic Signal System
Burlington's 200 signalized intersections are controlled from City Hall by a traffic signal system.
The traffic signal system provides the following benefits:
- Coordination and communication with traffic signals
- Reduction in the number of overall stops
- Savings in overall travel time
- Savings in fuel consumption
- Reduction in vehicle emissions
How it Works:
The system maintains coordination between adjacent traffic signals based on the posted speed limit. Many factors can influence coordination:
- Volume of traffic
- Direction of the major traffic flow
- Distances between traffic signals
When coordination for both directions of travel is not possible, the direction with the highest traffic volume is coordinated. Different timing plans are used throughout the day to reflect changing traffic patterns and volumes.
Vehicle Detectors
On streets with little traffic, vehicle detectors are placed in the road to allow the traffic signal to stay green on the major street until a vehicle is detected or a pedestrian pushes the crossing button. Traffic signals will change at a pre-set time to minimize interruptions and maintain coordination on the major street.
Traffic Signal Maintenance
A comprehensive program is in place to provide annual maintenance at all traffic signals within the City of Burlington's boundaries. As well as ongoing daily maintenance we provide 24/7 emergency maintenance to ensure that standards are met.
Maintenance activities include:
- Re-lamping of intersections
- Replacing a damaged pole
- Inspecting communications equipment is used by the central traffic computer system
Traffic signals are a combined effort of the City of Burlington's Transportation Department and the Roads, Parks and Forestry Department.
Street Lights
LED Street Light Replacement Program
This city has partnered with Burlington Hydro to convert all street lights from High Pressure Sodium (HPS) light bulbs to Light Emitting Diodes (LED) light bulbs. The work will begin in September 2017 with a goal to switch 50 per cent of city street lights by Dec. 31, 2017. This is approximately 7,000 units. The remainder of the street lights will be converted by the end of 2018.
Benefits of the LED street lights:
- The LED street lights conversion will result in a significant reduction in energy consumption, lower carbon emissions and reduced ambient street light.
- LED street lights increase public safety with improved colour rendition, reduced dark sky impact and improved light dispersion on roads and sidewalks. This results in a more even and efficient distribution of light.
- The program aligns with the city's 2015-2040 Strategic Plan to develop A Healthy and Greener City and the Corporate Energy Management Plan to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- The full street light conversion will result in an estimated annual energy and maintenance cost savings of $900,000.
| How bright will the LED street lights be? |
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The LED bulbs have a colour temperature of 3,000K. The city reviewed best practices in residential neighbourhoods to determine the number of kelvins that creates an appropriate mid-range temperature. The LED street lights provide an opportunity to improve the overall management of the lights with things like adaptive controls that can be used remotely to adjust the level of lighting in certain areas. |
| Will the LED light bulbs last longer than the HPS light bulbs? |
| The LED light bulbs are guaranteed to have a minimum 10-year life span, whereas the HPS light bulbs only last two years. This contributes to the city's energy reduction. |
Street Light Maintenance
Street light maintenance and installation provide an overall safe environment for vehicles and pedestrians during periods of diminished light or darkness.
Common street light maintenance issues include:
- Burnt out lights
- Flickering lights
- Lights left on throughout the day
- Damaged poles
- Opened lens
Pedestrian Signals
To ensure the "Walk" indication is displayed at intersections where pedestrian activity is intermittent, the pedestrian must activate the push button.
The "Walk" (walking figure) indication permits pedestrians to leave the curb and enter the roadway.
The "Don't Walk" (flashing hand) indication gives enough time for pedestrians who are already in the roadway to complete their crossing. Pedestrians facing the flashing hand indication must not start crossing the roadway, as there may not be enough time to do so in safety.
Pedestrian signals give the pedestrian certain rights while in an intersection. However, they will not protect you from careless motorists. It is important to always be cautious when crossing intersections.
| Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) |
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Accessible Pedestrian Signals are an important part of intersection design. These devices help people with disabilities to safely cross an intersection. APS devices can provide visual, auditory and/or tactile information, which notifies and directs pedestrians. Major Functions of APS:
Benefits of APS:
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| Intersection Pedestrian Signals (IPS) |
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The City of Burlington strives to implement traffic systems to ensure efficient flow of traffic and pedestrian safety. The IPS provides a safe device to assist pedestrians crossing major streets. The IPS system is different from a standard traffic signal in two ways:
Vehicles approaching from the side street are permitted to turn onto the main street only when it is clear and safe to do so, yielding the right-of-way to both pedestrians and vehicles crossing the major street. |
Pedestrian Signals FAQ
| If the flashing "Do Not Walk" indication appears and I am only halfway across the intersection, do I still have enough time to cross safely? |
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If you see the "Do Not Walk" symbol (upraised hand) do not step into the roadway to cross the intersection. Wait for a fresh "Walk" symbol. If the "Do Not Walk" indication appears when you have already begun to cross the roadway, the signal will allow you enough time to safely cross the road. |
| What if I am a slow walker, will I still have enough time to get across? |
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The timings at pedestrian crossings are calculated using guidelines set out by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. These guidelines allow for a walking speed of 1.0 to 1.2 metres per second, a comfortable walking speed for the average person including children and seniors. If you are experiencing an issue at a specific intersection, please contact the Transportation Department at traffic@burlington.ca or 905-335-7777 to let us know. |
| Why doesn't the "Walk" symbol appear every time the traffic signal turns green? |
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The "Walk" symbol appears only when a pedestrian presses the pushbutton. This button is usually located on a light post near the roadway. If the pedestrian pushbutton is not pressed, the traffic signals will respond to vehicles only. Please note that the length of a green signal for a vehicle may be considerably shorter than the time required to safely cross the street on foot. Always press the pedestrian pushbutton before crossing the intersection to ensure sufficient time to cross. |
| Why doesn't the "Walk" signal come on immediately when I press the push button? |
| Once the pedestrian pushbutton has been pushed, a call to change the signal is sent to the system. The "Walk" symbol will not appear right away. This is because the pre-determined time to move traffic through the intersection must be used up first. For example, if the pre-determined time for traffic is 60 seconds and a pedestrian call is made at the 45 second mark, the pedestrian will be required to wait 15 seconds until the 60 second pre-determined time is complete. |