east/west running roadways would be very problematic since they are already very busy (Wyandotte Street being the most impacted).

Whatever roadway does get selected would benefit from a feature that properly transitions vehicles and socially “conditions” incoming drivers to a slower speed for the duration they are within the affected zone. Some form of traffic calming (such as a temporary speed hump at either end of the zone would help ensure drivers begin to slow down in advance of passing through this more vulnerable zone where significant numbers of pedestrians (most vulnerable of roadway users) are present. Like a construction zone (which this scenario is similar to), the safety of those within the zone is heavily affected by ensuring vehicles are already slowing down prior to entering the zone.

With respect to the Site Specific Social Distancing Measures – Creation of a Curb Lane

Pedestrian Zone

Partial closures of the roadway should only be considered if there is an identified risk to pedestrians lining up or to areas where the buildings are close to the roadway, which would prohibit safe social distancing.

Is it possible that these temporary road diets/lane restrictions be removed during non- day light hours?

Partial closures such as the one illustrated where a designated section of the curb lane effectively becomes an extension of the public sidewalk apron can be effective in specific circumstances but should only be used if any/all the following factors are at play:

• The nature of the abutting land uses are such that they have large public capacity which would naturally create challenges for adequate overall space to accommodate social distancing guidelines
• The affected roadway is not already at its proper vehicular volume capacity, whereby such a modification would then create significant traffic congestion or roadway safety issues
• The physical barricading would need to be robust enough to safeguard large gatherings of assembled pedestrians from an out-of-control vehicle that came crashing into the space very suddenly, without adequate warning for pedestrians to safely disperse

Comments Received from Operations

Depending on the road/lanes being considered to be shut down there could be a shift in traffic volumes to adjacent streets which may create concerns with those residents. Current traffic volumes are relatively light but a return to more activity and jobs may come well before social distancing is relaxed. Problems/concerns/challenges to consider would include such items as parking, lighting, emergency vehicle access, access to properties, costs of the closures, maintenance of the closures, liability, etc. In determining what roads would be appropriate, we need to ask ourselves what is the intended goal? Are we creating cycling routes such as putting bike lanes on Wyandotte by closing a lane in each direction, closing streets in the downtown, closing streets in residential neighbourhoods? All of these are very different scenarios requiring various closure methods and signage and having varying impacts. The pedestrian or cycling volumes do not warrant actions and expenditures like this at this time.