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The intersection at the heart of Queen’s University’s main campus has taken on a new look that will improve pedestrian safety and accessibility.

The scramble pedestrian crossing, the first for the City of Kingston, allows pedestrians to cross in all directions of the intersection, including diagonally, at the same time. During the scramble stage, which the city is scheduled to activate on Monday at 10 am, all traffic signals will be red. Right turns also will no longer be permitted during any red light at the intersection.

“Safety is one of the major reasons for implementing the scramble solution,” says Yvonne Holland, Director, Campus Planning and Development. “The goal is to eliminate conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles by providing an exclusive place for pedestrians.”

The highlighted the need for the installation of a high-priority pedestrian crossing such as a scramble crossing at the intersection of Union Street and University Avenue.

“The scramble, in concert with unified streetscape elements including distinct lighting, banners and new street furniture, will transform this highly trafficked intersection into an exceptional and dynamic public realm,” Ms. Holland says. “The scramble crossing will help create a place of social and intellectual engagement, where the essential functions of Stauffer and Douglas Libraries more fully engage with the campus outside their doors, and with the community beyond.”

The installation of a scramble crossing at the intersection had been championed by the Alma Mater Society and in June city council unanimously approved its construction.

While it may be a first for Kingston, scramble crossings are not new. Toronto currently has two in its downtown core while Fredericton and Saskatoon also use them.

“We think this is an ideal location to try out this type of crossing because we do have so many pedestrians at this intersection,” says Deanna Green, the city’s manager of traffic, adding that city council has made pedestrian issues a priority. “In fact close to 70 per cent of all users at this location are pedestrians and we have around 2,000 per hour crossing during the busiest times of the day.”

Pedestrians will notice several changes to the intersection to allow for the scramble crossing. The newly installed crosswalks are made of a brick-coloured thermoplastic material that is moulded to make the crosswalk look like a brick path. Thick white borders are included. For the diagonal crosswalks, the material extends for two metres from each corner.

Other features at the intersection improve accessibility. The curbs for all corners have been lowered to street level and yellow bumper pads have been installed to assist the visually impaired. Audible pedestrian signals will operate at all times as well.

Cyclists who do not dismount their bicycles are legally considered vehicles and are required to follow traffic signals. Cyclists who want to use the scramble crossing on the pedestrian signal must dismount and walk their bikes across.