More changes coming for Paris’ busy downtown intersection, aimed at improving flow of traffic

By Casandra Turnbull

Paris’downtown intersection was once again the topic of discussion, this time at the Administration and Operations Committee meeting held on Tuesday, April 11th.

Committee members received a report, prepared by Roads Technologist Rick Knap, which outlines the results of a recent traffic study conducted at the main intersection of Grand River Street North and William Street. The study happened on November 22, 2022, after the new left turn lane was installed for vehicles turning left onto Grand River Street North from William Street.

On this particular Tuesday, it showed that the peak traffic hours are between 8:15 am and 9:15 am with 1,439 vehicles travelling through that downtown intersection and again between 3:15 pm and 4:15 pm with 1,749 vehicles entering the intersection The Barnes Farm Dance crosswalk was also monitored with a total of 688 people utilizing it that day and only 29 people were not compliant, meaning they did not wait for the pedestrian walk signal before crossing. The busiest time for pedestrian crossing was between 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm with 191 people crossing the busy intersection.

According to the report, quite frequently vehicles waiting in the left turn lane ended up proceeding straight thru the intersection when it turned green and not turning at all, which generates unnecessary cycling of the turn phase. Given the left turn lane is relatively new and people are not yet used to it or aware, the study suggests that if the situation persists, County staff should install overhead regulatory lane designation signs. It was also noted that if only one car is waiting to turn left, it’s often not enough to trigger the advance green signal.

As a result, the committee agreed to improve the intersection by installing an Al-based vehicular system that will enhance the safety and mobility of movement within this intersection.

By utilizing a combination of AI technologies, this integrated system will offer real-time traffic optimization, deployment flexibility, built-in performance measurement, and multi-modal detection capabilities.

In short, it will monitor each signal cycle and will adapt to the minimum and maximum time periods for each phase, which will further improve the traffic movement during the varying peak period volumes. The technology can detect heavy flows of traffic and adjust the signals accordingly, effectively moving traffic especially during busier times of year when there special activities that draw people to Paris

This, however, is the last measure the County can implement to improve traffic at this intersection, without undertaking major improvements that are not in the county’s budget.

The supply and installation of this equipment, not only at Paris’ downtown intersection, but also at the Colborne Street West and King Street Intersection at Bishopsgate Road, is estimated to cost $50,000 plus tax

Residents have long stated the need for improvements at this intersection, especially with the recent growth over the last five years. According to data in this report, approximately 20,000 vehicles use Grand River Street North a day and approximately 10,000 vehicles travel on William Street a day. The staff report and recommendation will go to council for final approval.