Gaia

Oh for Detroit and Hazel

If city governments are serious about reducing car emissions and the spewing of dangerous carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and sulphur dioxide into the air, maybe city planners should rethink their street lights and their coordination.

In Toronto, if you get a newly turned green light, you are lucky if you can go 5 blocks before getting stuck with a red – even at the posted speed limit. On parts of Yonge street there are lights every 2 blocks without rational coordination. So you not only waste time and gas while sitting bumper to bumper, but greatly increase the damage to the atmosphere and pedestrian health.

But recently I had to go through Mississauga, a nearby city, on its main thoroughfare, Hurontario. What a joy it was. Once I got off the QEW highway all the way up to the 401 highway at the other end, I only had to stop once through over a dozen lights. I soon realized the lights were so set up that if I got a new or mid-green light, I could drive all the way without stopping in traffic.

Some planner had done the speed and distance math and got it right.

The last time I had a similar experience was as a child. My family was travelling to a town just south of Detroit and we decided to stop in that (once great) auto headquarters and tour the downtown. From the highway junction all the way in, we never had to stop. My father either knew in advance -- or realized from adjoining cars -- the secret of light coordinated, non-stop travel.

I have always remembered that long ago Detroit experience. It has come to mind countless times as I stew in Toronto and vicinity traffic.

Now, all I have to do is think back to last week and Mississauga.

Maybe its geriatric, female mayor, Hazel McCallion, born in 1921, will consider annexing Toronto and spreading her wisdom and good traffic sense to the entire GTA.

If only.