What Do The Changes Look Like?
A lot of the new features mentioned above are new to the public and so it is important for the City of Markham to inform the public of how the at-grade crossing changes look like and how they are intended to be used.
Maze Barriers
What is a ‘Maze Barrier’?
A maze barrier, is a physical barrier, channelized (like a ‘maze’) to provide a pathway and wide enough to provide accessibility to all the public utilizing the sidewalk.
How does it work?
It is located upon approach to the at-grade signal crossing, and it is intended to slow down the public upon approach to the at-grade crossing and to stop at the tactile plates, for safety and awareness while crossing or waiting to cross the train tracks.
The channelized ‘maze’ barrier guides the public to enter the maze barrier and to turn, left and right, in the direction of the railway tracks as they maneuver through the maze barrier. This will help the public see the rail tracks and be aware of any approaching trains.
What other features are included with maze barriers?
- Tactile walking surface indicators (tactile plates).
- Signage in advance of the rail crossing and “No Train Whistle at this Crossing” signage at the crossing.
- Painted lines for pedestrians and vehicles.
- Ringing bells on the existing vehicular gates will sound when the trains are approaching and leaving the crossing, especially in assisting the public who are visually impaired.
- Flashing lights will be visible for the public when the trains are approaching and leaving the crossing, especially in assisting the public who are hard of hearing.
What are the locations which have been upgraded?
The list below details the upgraded at-grade crossing locations with pedestrian warning system gate locations:
| Crossing Location |
Number of Maze Barriers |
Location |
|---|---|---|
| Eureka Street |
One (1) |
Southwest corners |
| 16th Avenue |
Two (2) |
One (1) at each corner identified: Northwest and Southeast corners |
| Major Mackenzie Drive |
Two (2) |
One (1) at each corner identified: Southeast and Southwest corners |
| Kennedy Road North |
Four (4) |
All corners |
| Main Street Unionville |
Four (4) |
All corners |
| Snider Drive |
Four (4) |
All corners |
| Castlemore Avenue |
Four (4) existing |
All corners |
Pedestrian Warning System Gate Signals
What is a ‘Pedestrian Warning System Gate Signal’?
A Pedestrian Warning System Gate Signal, also known as, ‘pedestrian gates’ is a physical standing post behind the curb, with an ‘arm’ which is automated.
How does it work?
The pedestrian gate, with an ‘arm’, is located directly before the at-grade signal crossing, it is intended to STOP the public when trains are passing the location and for safety and awareness for the public while crossing or waiting to cross the train tracks.
The ‘arm’, which is red and white, will raise to allow the public to walk along the sidewalk crossing when trains are not passing through the location and will lower to STOP the public walking along the sidewalk crossing when trains are passing through the location.
What other safety measures are included with pedestrian gates?
- Tactile walking surface indicators (tactile plates)
- Signage in advance of the rail crossing and “No Train Whistle at this Crossing”
- Painted lines for pedestrians and vehicles
- Ringing bells on the existing vehicular gates will sound when the trains are approaching and leaving the crossing, especially in assisting the public who are visually impaired.
- Flashing lights will be visible for the public when the trains are approaching and leaving the crossing, especially in assisting the public who are hard of hearing.
What are the locations which have been upgraded?
The list below details the upgraded at-grade crossing locations with pedestrian warning system gate locations:
| Crossing Location |
Number of Pedestrian Warning System Gates |
Location |
|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Road South |
Four (4) |
All Corners |
| Highway 7 |
Four (4) |
All Corners |
| McCowan Road |
Four (4) |
All Corners |
| Bur Oak Avenue |
Four (4) |
All Corners |
| Denison Street |
Three (3) |
One (1) at each corner identified: Northeast, Northwest and Southeast |
| Main Street Markham |
Three (3) existing |
One (1) at each corner existing: Northwest, Southwest and Northeast corners. Rehabilitation includes AODA compliance, signage and addition of painted lines. |
What type of signage will I see?
The following signage will be available to inform the public upon approach to the at-grade crossings, that there is a crossing ahead:
“See Tracks? Think Train” Logo
This logo will be provided on the sidewalk approaches to the at-grade crossings.
They will be yellow and black in color and approximately 0.75 metre square in shape.
They will be bold and large for the public to see.
Painted Lines
Painted lines will be provided in the form of lines across the tracks to guide the public across the crossing and as stop bars on the road pavement directly at in front of the tracks at the at-grade crossings.
They will be white in color and will direct the public as a guide to where to cross and stop and wait, when required.
Pavement Markings – “X”
Markings “X” will be provided on the asphalt pavement and will be located in advance of the at-grade crossing.
They will be white in color and will provide information that a rail crossing is ahead. They are to be located approximately 10 metre behind, either side of the at-grade crossing.
Vehicular Signage
The vehicular signage, as per the examples above, to the left, and below, will be located at all of the at-grade crossings.
They are located approximately 200 metre either side of the at-grade crossing and 10 metre in front of the painted lines “X” on the road.
They are site specific signs to indicate the angle of the at-grade crossing to the roadway.
They are to inform motorists and cyclists and all users of the roadway that an at-grade rail crossing is ahead.
Other Signage and AODA Markers
‘No Train Whistle At this Crossing’ sign
The ‘No Train Whistle At this Crossing’ sign will be erected at each of the thirteen (13) crossing locations and will be located at each side of the crossing intersection.
AODA Compliant Markers
- Tactile Plates which are detectable underfoot when walking, or with assistive devices wheelchair, scooters, walkers, strollers, or by a long white cane for visual aid support. The tactile plates will prompt the public to stop and wait behind or at the tactile plate when the bells are sounding, the flashing lights are activated and the vehicular and/or pedestrian arms are lowered.
- Flashing lights are activated and visible for the public when the trains are approaching and leaving the crossing, especially in assisting the public who are hard of hearing.
- Ringing bells on the existing vehicular gates will sound when the trains are approaching and leaving the crossing, especially in assisting the public who are visually impaired.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
- Although the whistle of the trains will cease at the thirteen (13) crossing locations, the bells on the vehicular arms will continue to sound as an audible marker to the public and will sound only when the train is approaching and leaving the crossing location.
- Engine bells on the train will continue to be sounded for the reasons specified as per the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) Rule 13 - Engine Bell. Only the whistle is eliminated. See https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/railsafety/rules-tco167-163.htm