Transit Shelters Clear Channel Outdoor’s transit shelters were conceived as street furniture elements that exist and integrate seamlessly into the streetscape. Depending on their location in the city, transit shelters are offered in a variety of sizes and configurations which ensures flexibility to adapt to the diversity of Toronto’s sidewalk conditions. Our “Basic” transit shelter was specifically designed to be suitable for the widest range of sidewalk conditions. Type A and Type B of the basic shelter are modular and vary in length to allow for enhanced placement options. The larger “Wide” transit shelter was developed for areas with more generous pedestrian clearway. The “Canopy” transit shelter is suitable for locations with constrained sidewalk conditions; the advertising caisson may be located in the rear wall. All of the shelters are designed barrier- free in accordance with the City of Toronto Accessibility Design Guidelines. The single column, placed in the centre of the shelter, functions as an elegant structure for the radiating branches that support the roof and walls as well as an attachment for the seating and a conduit that contains electrical supply to future media and transit display systems. In shelters without advertising caisson the central column contains a solar-powered, energy efficient, yet powerful, LED uplight. The shelter’s roof is a key feature that presents endless opportunities for customization of neighbourhoods and city areas and creates a unique identity for the City of Toronto’s street furniture program. It is constructed of durable, recycled polycarbonate panels with an interlayer of a variety of materials, both natural and man-made, thus performing as a shelter and an artistic element. The unique moulded, recycled plastic seats provide room for two to four individuals depending on the shelter configurations. They are raised off the ground, providing a clean and unobstructed ground plane for ease of maintenance. The seating can easily be removed and replaced when circumstances call for an increase in transit rider capacity due to special events in the city. A lean rail, constructed of resilient recycled rubber, has been located on the leading edge of the shelter to accommodate transit riders that prefer to stand outside the shelter. Due to its elevated position, the advertising caisson contributes to the aesthetics of the shelter and provides a clean, continuous ground plane while allowing the advertising panels to float as if a framed piece of art. In addition, individuals seated in the shelter have an unobstructed view around the entire shelter, thus mitigating any safety concerns. The rectangular box located above the map panel can house interactive media, transit information and batteries that power the photovoltaic panels. The large front surface makes it ideal for graphic customization by various BIAs throughout the city. The backside of the panel can accommodate printed material or artwork that can be changed at any time. Litter/Recycling Receptacles The designs of the Clear Channel Outdoor litter/recycling receptacle were based one key features such as durability, ease of operation and pleasing aesthetics, all of which were achieved through a process of constant refinement that fulfil the guidelines set forth by the City of Toronto. The receptacles themselves are supported by two branching columns and are raised off the ground to provide a clear zone underneath that prevents the collection of debris and snow. The receptacles use a tilting mechanism that provides access to the bins for emptying. The system is composed of only a few moving parts, a robust structural skeleton and a locking mechanism that prevents accidental opening. Aside from being extremely durable, this design takes into account the ergonomics of the City personnel who empty the bins on a regular basis. As the bin is tilted into its open position, the liners and content tilt as well. The final position of the liner to be emptied is at a comfortable and readily accessible position. A removable cover over the liner prevents litter and recycling material from overflowing both in the receptacle itself and when the liner is carried or rolled to the truck. Removable ashtray units that prevent scavenging and fires are located discretely within the main supporting columns. Our litter/recycling receptacles are a multi-part units that are easily maintained and repaired. To improve the aesthetics of the litter/recycling receptacle and add colour and life to the streetscape an optional planter was developed that mounts on the supporting column at either end of the bin. Secondary Advertising Panel Structure The format of Clear Channel Outdoor’s secondary advertisements that may be placed in areas where advertising on transit shelters is not possible is a landscape layout of two by six feet. These panels are intended to be placed alongside litter/recycling receptacles or multi-publication structures. The secondary advertising structure is constructed of a combination of coated aluminium, recycled rubber and durable fibreglass reinforced plastic, all of which are extremely resilient to weather and daily use and abuse. The gently curving face of the advertising surface and structure itself provide easy visibility and softens the edge of the unit. A recycled rubber end provides an interesting detail while being resilient to accidental impact. A key feature of the secondary advertising structure is the optional planter located on the top of the unit. The generous size of the planter allows for the development of an attractive green area wherever it is located. Benches The design of Clear Channel Outdoor’s two bench styles is clean and simple, effectively integrating a high level of construction, attention to detail, and use of high-performance, low maintenance green materials. The proposed bench styles – with and without back rests – are based on a nominal 1.2m and 1.8m module and have the ability to fit smaller urban locations while allowing them to be linked together to create longer elements for more suburban areas. The slats of the back rest and seating element are sized differently. While aesthetically pleasing, the difference in size was also used to address the comfort of the user. A large number of narrower slats was used on the seat back to allow for a more contoured shape that supports the spine. The slightly wider slats on the seat provide a larger area of contact to prevent pressure points while maintaining a size small enough to prevent uncomfortable flat spots. The bench rails are proposed as Ipê wood which is a sustainable harvested South American hardwood that is extremely dense and resistant to the environment, insect infestation and vandalism, making it one of the best woods available for street furniture. Other materials are also available for the seating surfaces including recycled plastic or perforated, formed aluminium panels or tubing. Armrests have been included in the design in order to prevent sleeping and skateboarding on the elements. However, they may be removed if deemed unnecessary or undesirable in certain areas. While advertising is strictly prohibited on benches, they are designed to offer the inclusion of decorated panels by local artists if desired by local business improvement areas. The seats, backs or both may easily be removed in order for art panels to be installed for a prescribed duration. On flat benches, art panels or installations can be mounted to the horizontal structural tube that connects the ends of the bench. Information/Way-Finding Structures The Clear Channel Outdoor information/way-finding kiosk utilizes a number of design features from the transit shelter, thus ensuring that while unique, they along with the other street furniture elements maintain a close family resemblance. The single structural column acts as a support for the roof as well as an affixment for the advertising panels, map board, map dispenser unit and interactive display/audio terminal. An easily visible, double sided, illuminated information identifier informs pedestrians about the function of the kiosk. As with the transit shelter, the information kiosk employs a low energy LED uplight that illuminates the kiosk without producing unnecessary glare. The information kiosk provides on-line access to a host of services beginning with connection the official City of Toronto website, pedestrian maps, transit schedules, tourism information, restaurant and entertainment venue listings, to only name a few. A large map board clearly displays the city in general as well as an enlarged area of the vicinity surrounding the kiosk location. A coin operated dispenser allows users to obtain a printable city map. An interactive touch screen display is accompanied by an auditory system. For the visually impaired, a keyboard incorporating Braille also operates the audio system. All conveniences of the information kiosk are located at an accessible height that ensures every user will able to benefit from it. Postering/Neighbourhood Information Structures A and B In an effort to reduce fly-posting in our neighbourhoods, the City of Toronto has requested the addition of postering surfaces to the streetscape. Clear Channel Outdoor’s postering/neighbourhood structure “A” uses the same column and roof structure as the transit shelters and information kiosks. The large postering surface is made of a durable, recycled rubber similar to that used in a number of other street furniture elements. The slightly arced form of the surface allows greater visibility for pedestrians passing by and softens the edges of the structure to enhance flow around it. Atop the postering surface is a placard displaying the name of the area in which it is located, thus improving the neighbourhood identification as well as the way finding capability for pedestrians. Two optional seating surfaces have been provided that act as unexpected, yet inviting places to rest in the city. The volume of postering surface required in the city necessitated the development of a second postering structure in addition to the stand-alone elements. The customization and inter-changeability of the smaller elements, like litter/recycling receptacles and multi-publication boxes, within the street furniture family provided an opportunity for the smaller postering/neighbourhood structure “B” to build upon this cohesive design strategy. Here, the postering boards are mounted on extensions that socket into the columns securing the litter receptacles, multi-publications structures as well as bike lockers. This strategic placement of the postering surfaces allows them to be visually accessible to a large number of pedestrians while maintaining anonymity from the street. No additional anchoring to the ground is necessary for installation, thus no extra sidewalk space is used. Multi-Publication Structures A and B The streets of the City of Toronto are home to many varying elements and newspaper boxes are one of the most prominent. In an effort to reduce visual clutter and better display the media that they house it was desired to develop two types of multi-publication structures that could compartmentalize existing newspaper box units as well as provide modular units that could display a number of publications in the same enclosure. Clear Channel Outdoor’s multi-publication structure “A” was designed as a modular system that can hold as few as four publications but can be expanded to accommodate 12 or more publications if required. Additional four-cabinet modules can be added at any time. They share a common mounting and support system with the litter/recycling receptacles so that if desired, they may be linked together to form a continuous unit with as few support points as possible anchored to the ground. The sidewalk plane becomes clear and the accumulation of trapped debris is minimized. Multi-publication structures “B” function as shrouds that organize and compartmentalize the existing publication boxes on the streets of Toronto. The shrouds are manufactured in two and four-unit modules that can be assembled in a number of configurations to house the required number of publication boxes. They share the same mounting and support system as the litter/recycling receptacles and multi-publication structure “A”. With this compatibility it is possible to create the desired sidewalk condition, whether it is in an urban or suburban setting. Bicycle Parking Units & Bicycle Lockers The requirement for new bicycle parking units presented a unique opportunity to implement an original design while maintaining the base functionality of the existing units currently installed on Toronto’s streets. Clear Channel Outdoor’s new two-bicycle parking unit is manufactured of vandal resistant painted galvanized steel and utilizes a cast-in-place galvanized steel column for its attachment, similar to the existing units. While new parking units will require new columns to be installed, the older defective post and ring designs can easily and economically altered to accept the new style by removing the old ring and cutting the post at the prescribed height. The new ring assembly then slides over the post and is drilled and fastened with tamper-proof hardware and covered by a protective cowl. This method provides cost savings and allows for a seamless transition from old to new. The bicycle lockers represent a benefit for users who will be away from their bikes for extended periods of time or where additional security is desired. The lockers are constructed of durable fibreglass reinforced plastic which is extremely resilient to weather and daily use and abuse. The triangular shape of the bike locker allows them to be placed in a number of unique configurations depending on the site conditions in which they will be located. A coin operated key lock allows for rapid storage and retrieval of the bike while a perforated metal viewing screen on the door allows city personnel to quickly ascertain the contents of the locker in an effort to maintain public security. An optional postering board and planter unit can be accommodated at the bike locker locations, thus increasing their relevance and usability in downtown areas where space is at a premium. Public Washrooms Widely used in Europe, the public washroom is a relatively new addition to North American street furniture. The placement of these units, whether they are in parks or urban areas, is intended to encourage public use through providing a convenient, spacious, hygienic facility where others may not exist. Clear Channel’s fully automatic, self-cleaning washroom uses exclusive, state-of-the-art technologies, the highest quality materials and components, ergonomic design and advanced engineering to provide simple, efficient, reliable operation, and safe, comfortable, hygienic service. The washroom is ADA compliant with accessibility for wheelchair users as well incorporating Braille icons for the visually impaired. The exterior of the washroom is an attractive design that takes design cues from other elements in the street furniture family with regard to the unique roof, recycled rubber postering/public information surface and the generous bench seating. The structural design is configured to provide a spacious interior. The roof system is constructed from glass or reinforced plastic, with an integrated steel structure. A low maintenance green roof atop the unit maintains a link with nature and furthers the development of Toronto as a green city. Universal access makes the interior of our washroom convenient for use by anyone, including patrons in wheelchairs and parents with strollers. The walls and ceilings are made of a polyester based material that is extremely resistant to abrasions, stickers and graffiti. The washroom includes a porcelain toilet, toilet tissue dispenser, an enamelled steel hand washing station with hands-free operated soap dispenser, warm water faucet and hand drier, waste paper hatch, unbreakable mirror, coat hooks, and a retractable baby changing table. Polished stainless steel grab rails are mounted to the side and back walls. User instructions can be provided in several languages and Braille. An LCD panel provides user instructions in the languages to be determined by the City.