Item - 2020.IE11.19

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to review and report by the fourth quarter of 2020, on the feasibility of creating a pilot program to test the Pedestrian Avoidance Warning System (P.A.W.S.) at a number of selected major intersection(s) throughout the city.

The Bayview Glen School All Systems Code team gave a presentation on P.A.W.S. - Pedestrian Avoidance Warning System.

Since 2014 the City Of Toronto has experienced an increase of pedestrian injuries and fatalities. According to available data from the Toronto Policy Database, the majority of these collisions have taken place at intersections and pedestrian crossings.

As the Vision Zero action plan moves forward, Toronto should consider exploring as many safety measures as possible to strengthen the comprehensive 5 year plan. Feedback and fresh ideas from the community can be used to guide responsible change in our neighbourhoods as we strive to make our City safer.

A group of students from Bayview Glen School Independent School recently approached my office to share their innovative ideas on how to further combat pedestrian injuries and fatalities in Toronto. Their Pedestrian Avoidance Warning System (P.A.W.S.) aims to make intersections and pedestrian crossings safer by alerting drivers of nearby pedestrians. The team recently won first place at the First Lego League Regional Robotics Competition and are headed to the first Lego League Ontario East Provincial Championships. The preparatory students have collected feedback from a range of experts including but not limited to; developers, traffic safety advocates, urban planners, university professors and transportation engineers.