"Essay: A Fascinating Moniker - the Position of 'Traffic Manager.' A Caution Before Applying"
Speed Demon or Gridlock Master?
Want to be Toronto's traffic czar? We all do, right? You just have to step foot in a public place to find a self-proclaimed traffic expert. From advocating less bike lanes to demanding more, there's no shortage of opinions on how to solve the city's congestion issues.
Yet, weTorontonians, who live, breathe, and agonize over traffic, are the very ones who believe we're the ultimate experts on the matter. Why? Well, because traffic pretty much defines our existence here.
So, hearing that city council has greenlit the appointment of a traffic czar is music to some ears. The thought of finally having a real-life traffic expert at the helm, ready to tackle our woes, might be too good to resist.
But before you throw your hat in the ring, consider this: If you land this lofty position, everyone on the road will think they're more qualified. And let's face it, they'll never be satisfied no matter how much progress is made.
Remember, according to Matt Elliott, traffic back in early 2023 had dramatically improved from the summer before due to fewer road closures[1]. Interestingly, there was barely a ripple of gratitude because people were still complaining that Toronto has the worst traffic in North America.
But the latest Tom Tom Traffic Index reveals otherwise. Toronto now ranks 8th worst in North America and 95th globally, a remarkable drop from being third-worst in the world in 2023[2]. And, it turns out, our traffic woes pale in comparison to cities like Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Halifax[2].
Yet, you'll find no headlines about this when the new survey was released. I myself found out about the improved rankings through a Reddit thread, which leads us to wonder if Toronto is just immune to good traffic news[3].
Now, having you in the job might seem like a breath of fresh air. After all, you could do away with bottlenecks on busy roads, or smarten up those pesky left-turn lanes. But wait, there's a catch.
As the Star reports, the motion creating the position doesn't give the traffic czar an office, staff, or budget. Worse yet, it's unclear what additional powers come with the title[3]. Imagine being saddled with all the responsibility, yet denied the authority to make a real difference!
And let's not forget about history lessons. The last czar of Russia didn't fare so well; he and his family were shot and bayonetted by revolutionaries[3].
So, if after all this, the job still appeals to you, then you might just be our traffic savior. We're all looking forward to the improvements, albeit at a slow pace, as we're naturally accustomed to with Toronto traffic.
Disclaimers:Opinion articles are based on the author's interpretations and judgments of facts, data, and events. For further details about the traffic czar position, refer to the Role of the newly appointed traffic czar section provided in the enrichment data.
Insights from Enrichment Data:The role of the newly appointed traffic czar in Toronto is to tackle congestion and improve traffic flow by overseeing various gridlock-fighting policies and initiatives. The czar will be selected from existing city staff and will face challenges like coordination, implementing policies, managing public expectations, and balancing various interests[1][2][4].
- The traffic czar appointment in Toronto has been met with excitement, as Toronto residents continue to express their opinions on traffic solutions.
- Many Torontonians, despite their own traffic woes, see themselves as experts in the matter, given the significant impact traffic has on their city lifestyle.
- With Toronto's city council approving the position, the hope is that professional expertise can be applied to easing traffic congestion in the city.
- However, landing the traffics czar position might bring its own challenges, as everyone on the road could perceive themselves as more qualified and demanding.
- According to a report by Matt Elliott, Toronto's traffic in early 2023 experienced improvement due to fewer road closures, but complaints about the city's traffic persisted.
- Despite Toronto ranking 8th worst in North America and 95th globally in the latest Tom Tom Traffic Index, improved rankings were largely overlooked in the news media amidst ongoing criticism.
- The traffic czar will need to work diligently on initiatives like addressing bottlenecks, fine-tuning left-turn lanes, and balancing various interests, while potentially facing budgetary and logistical constraints.
- Despite the challenges, appointing a dedicated traffic czar could signal a step forward in improving the city's transportation infrastructure and factoring for its home-and-garden industry, as well as overall lifestyle enjoyment.
