
Neighbourhood Traffic Calming
What is Traffic Calming?
The Institute of Transportation Engineers defines traffic calming as the combination of measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behaviour, and improve conditions for non-motorized street users. Traffic calming consists of physical design and other measures put in place on existing roads to reduce vehicle speeds and/or volume, and improve safety.
Examples of traffic calming measures include, but are not limited to, vertical deflections (i.e. speed humps, speed tables), horizontal shifts (i.e. chicanes), and roadway narrowing (i.e. at mid-block or intersections).
Calming Your Neighbourhood
The City’s Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Policy and its aligned Process and Guidelines provide a consistent four-phase approach to how neighbourhood traffic concerns are reviewed, evaluated, and implemented in St. Albert. If you are interested in Traffic Calming being considered on your street or in your neighbourhood, it starts with completing a Traffic Calming Application.
After receiving an application, City staff perform preliminary screening, capture traffic speed and volume data, and analyze the available data. If supported by data, residents are polled for support of traffic calming measures being considered in their neighbourhood.
If supported by the majority of neighbourhood households, Phase 2 is initiated and focused on the identification of options, evaluation, engagement, and development of a finalized traffic calming plan. With the traffic calming plan finalized, neighbourhood residents are polled one last time for support of traffic calming.
With resident support, the finalized traffic calming plan will be implemented when funding is approved by Council. Temporary measures may be installed in advance of a permanent solution to address high-priority areas and/or to monitor the effectiveness of the traffic calming measure.
Since the Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Policy was approved, traffic calming has been implemented at various locations throughout the City, including Erin Ridge (Erin Ridge Drive, Everitt Drive), Lacombe Park (Lennox Drive), Sturgeon (Sycamore Avenue) and Grandin (Grenfell Avenue/Grosvenor Boulevard intersection).
Traffic Calming Program Process
Phase 1
APPLICATION & VALIDATION
- Receipt of Resident Application(s)
- Data Collection and Preliminary Screening
- Neighbourhood Support Poll
Phase 2
PLAN DEVELOPMENT
- Issue Identification
- Develop Options for Traffic Calming
- Resident Feedback
- Finalize Traffic Calming Plan
- Resident Plan Support Poll
Phase 3
IMPLEMENTATION
- Consider Opportunity for Temporary Measures
- Detailed Design
- Construction
Phase 4
EVALUATION
Evaluation and Monitoring
Resources
Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Policy
Neighbourhood Traffic Calming Process and GuidelinesTopics in this section
Related Pages
Last edited: July 29, 2024