Abstract Manager

Protected intersections are rapidly emerging as a leading treatment to improve the safety and comfort of intersections for cyclists and pedestrians. First pioneered in the Netherlands, the concept has recently been adapted to the Canadian context; dozens have been built across the country and hundreds more are at various stages of planning and design. Building off the experience of leading municipalities in Ontario, the Ontario Traffic Council commissioned WSP in 2023 to develop an Ontario Protected Intersection Guide.

The 181-page highly-visual document represents leading edge guidance for intersections that address the needs of people with disabilities, improve road safety for all users, and prioritize the comfort of people walking and cycling. 

The presentation, delivered jointly by Matt Pinder of WSP and Emmett Proulx of the City of Ottawa, will contain two parts:

1. An overview of the new guide, focusing on some of the most prominent measures including warrants for protected signal phasing, addressing the needs of people with various disabilities, and turn calming techniques
2. Case studies of protected intersections and commentary on the practical experience of implementing them in various contexts, including examples of trade-offs, success stories, and first-hand feedback from people with disabilities

Matt Pinder, PEng, is a project manager at WSP Canada and Emmett Proulx, PEng, is a project manager at the City of Ottawa. Both have contributed to the design of dozens of protected intersections.