TTC pilots new technologies to improve bus safety

Heavy rainfall and potential flooding is expected in Toronto from Wednesday morning into Thursday after the remnants of Hurricane Beryl move into the GTA and southern Ontario, Environment Canada says (R.J.Johnston/Toronto Star)

The Toronto Transit Commission is piloting new technologies to improve bus safety over the next six months.

The transit agency issued a news release on Wednesday noting 30 buses will be equipped with technology that will warn operators and vulnerable road users of potential collisions.

Buses will also now have new displays that reduce blind spots for operators.

“We are always looking at new tools that will help us improve road safety, especially for our most vulnerable road users,” Mayor Olivia Chow said in the news release.

“With 1,600 TTC buses on the road every day, any chance to improve TTC bus safety is a chance to improve road safety citywide.”

With the new technology, pedestrians and cyclists outside TTC buses could hear two warnings: “Caution, bus approaching” when near a moving bus, and “Danger, step back” when there is an imminent risk of collision.

Inside the bus, operators receive collision warnings through a flashing panel and an audible alert, the news release stated. The warnings are based on the distance between buses and things around them, as well as how fast they are travelling, it added.

The pilot buses will run along the 29/329/929 Dufferin, 63/363 Ossington, 161 Rogers Rd and 168 Symington routes, all of which, the news release stated, are heavily used by pedestrians, motorists and cyclists.

The transit agency stated the goal is to determine each technology’s effectiveness, incorporate lessons learned into future bus procurements, and help to consider whether the systems should be retrofitted into the existing bus fleet.

Similar technologies are used in other transit systems, including York Region, Chicago and Boston.

“Safety is paramount at the TTC, and I welcome any opportunity to improve safety for both TTC operators and transit users,” TTC Chair Jamaal Myers said.

“Through this six-month pilot, the TTC will gather valuable information and insights, and I look forward to seeing the results.”