Crossing the street is about to get a whole lot easier. Starting this summer, the City of Mississauga is implementing Pedestrian Head Start Signals (also known as Leading Pedestrian Intervals) as well as Bike Head Start Signals (also known as Leading Bike Intervals.) As one of the 99 actions outlined in the Vision Zero Action Plan, this update will give pedestrians and cyclists a five-second head start into their crossing before the light turns green for vehicles.

From a road safety perspective, Head Start Signals will help increase the visibility of people crossing through an intersection, reinforce their right of way and encourage drivers to yield. It also provides those with mobility challenges more time to begin their crossing before vehicles enter the intersection.

Signal changes will happen where Accessible Pedestrian Signals (also known as Audible Pedestrian Signals) are already in place. In Mississauga, close to 200 intersections will be updated with pedestrian Head Start Signals, and more then 20 intersections with existing bike signals will be updated with Bike Head Start Signals

Moving forward, as a new intersections are built and upgraded across the city, Accessible Pedestrian Signals and Head Start Signals Will be added.