Starting today, pedestrians rule at Yonge and Dundas.

Toronto launched the first pedestrian priority traffic lights — also known as scramble crossings or Barnes dance — at the busy intersection this morning.

For a 28-second period in every cycle, cars face a red light in all directions.

During that time, pedestrians are allowed to cross in any direction — side to side, or corner to corner.

Pedestrians are also allowed to cross in the conventional way, in the same direction as traffic, when vehicles are using the intersection.

Councillor Kyle Rae said the message of the new crosswalk is clear:

"Pedestrians in Toronto are number one, not car drivers," Rae said.

Pedestrians vastly outnumber cars at the intersection, he said, so it makes sense to give them priority.

The Yonge-Dundas signal is a pilot project. After evaluating how it works, the city is likely to extend the idea to other busy intersections.

Possible intersections are Bay and Dundas, Yonge and Bloor, and Yonge and Eglinton.

"I think it's a great idea," said Tracy Leparulo, a Ryerson business management student, after slicing diagonally through the intersection for the first time.

"I feel liberated," she laughed. "It feels great. I will be a confirmed user."

Tyler Davidson, an area resident, also approved after walking his bike across the intersection.

"I think it's a great idea," he said.

And what about cars, which have to wait a little longer to get through?

"The poor cars don't really go that much slower," he said. "They get there too fast anyway."

Domenica Schlembi, who works near the intersection, was only concerned about how quickly Torontonians will get used to the new rules at the intersection.

"I'm only worried that the signage is clear enough, and people are understanding enough — especially the drivers," she said.