Traffic improvement projects
Calgary is growing both in population and in infrastructure, and with this growth comes impacts to traffic on our roadways. To address this issue, The City has developed the Traffic Operational Improvements program (TOI).
The program evaluates various intersections across Calgary that require operational improvements for a variety of reasons like traffic congestion and safety issues. Once an intersection meets the necessary criteria of the TOI program, a temporary traffic pilot or, in some cases, permanent traffic measures will be proposed for installation. Traffic pilot and/or permanent traffic measures could include:
- Changes to signal timings
- Temporary roadway restrictions
- Additional permanent turning lanes
Traffic safety improvement projects
McKenzie Towne roundabout
The City of Calgary is planning safety improvements for the McKenzie Towne roundabout.
The proposed update would change the roundabout from a conventional two-lane layout to a spiral roundabout design. The goal is to make movements through the roundabout easier to understand and more predictable for people who drive, walk and travel through the area every day.
Pilot corridor safety evaluation
Key findings
The pilot program produced positive safety outcomes across all study corridors:
- Network-wide safety improvements were observed with no evidence of increased collision risk.
- Vehicle speeds declined on every pilot corridor.
- The average reduction in 85th percentile speeds was approximately 10% following construction.
- Collision reductions were recorded in each community:
- Auburn Bay: 44% reduction
- Cranston: 20% reduction
- Hidden Valley: 6% reduction
Corridor improvement overview
| Community | Collision reduction | Proposed permanent changes |
|---|---|---|
| Community: Auburn Bay | Collision reduction: 44% | Proposed permanent changes: Permanent speed cushions/humps and curb extensions; removal of mid-block curb extensions; intersection review |
| Community: Cranston | Collision reduction: 20% | Proposed permanent changes: Permanent speed cushions; permanent curb extensions at entrances; removal of temporary curbs |
| Community: Hidden Valley | Collision reduction: 6% | Proposed permanent changes: Permanent speed cushions; continued traffic calming pilot; median adjustments |
All corridors - Speed analysis
Average speed (km/h)
| Location | Before | After | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location: Auburn Shores Wy S.E. | Before: 40 | After: 36 | Change: -4 | % Change: -9% |
| Location: Auburn Sound Mr S.E. | Before: 42 | After: 30 | Change: -12 | % Change: -30% |
| Location: Cranston Ave S.E. | Before: 48 | After: 46 | Change: -2 | % Change: -3% |
| Location: Hidden Creek Bv N.W. | Before: 39 | After: 38 | Change: -1 | % Change: -3% |
85th percentile (km/h)
| Location | Before | After | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location: Auburn Shores Wy S.E. | Before: 48 | After: 44 | Change: -4 | % Change: -8% |
| Location: Auburn Sound Mr S.E. | Before: 50 | After: 36 | Change: -16 | % Change: -29% |
| Location: Cranston Ave S.E. | Before: 57 | After: 56 | Change: -1 | % Change: -3% |
| Location: Hidden Creek Bv N.W. | Before: 46 | After: 45 | Change: -1 | % Change: -2% |
Key findings
- Average and 85th percentile vehicle speeds decreased on all corridors
- The largest reduction occured on Auburn Sound Mr S.E.
All corridors - Collision analysis
| Location | Pre-construction | Pre-construction per year | Post-construction | Post-construction per year | % change in collisions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location: Auburn Bay | Pre-construction: 65 | Pre-construction per year: 9 | Post-construction: 5 | Post-construction per year: 5 | % change in collisions: -44% |
| Location: Cranston | Pre-construction: 36 | Pre-construction per year: 5 | Post-construction: 4 | Post-construction per year: 4 | % change in collisions: -20% |
| Location: Hidden Valley | Pre-construction: 136 | Pre-construction per year: 18 | Post-construction: 18 | Post-construction per year: 17 | % change in collisions: -6% |
| Total | 237 | 32 | 27 | 26 | % change in collisions: -19% |
Key findings
- Total collisions decreased by around 19% across all corridors
- Collision reductions, ranging from 6-44%
- Annualized collisions declined from ~32/year to ~26/year
Auburn Bay (Ward 12) - Corridor improvements
Community feedback
Traffic calming curbs
Positive feedback
- Requests for permanent installation
- Requests for additional traffic calming
- Residents reported feeling safer
Concerns
- Some residents felt the measures were not effective
- Aesthetic concerns
- Parking loss
- Challenges for larger vehicles
- Congestion concerns at Auburn Bay Boulevard and Auburn Shores Way SE
Speed cushions/humps
Positive feedback
- Requests for permanent installation
- Requests for additional traffic calming measures
- Residents reported feeling safer
Concerns
- Difficulties for lower-profile vehicles
- Vehicles driving onto sidewalks to avoid devices
What we observed
Collision & speed evaluation
Combined collision totals across both corridors decreased by 44%.
- Auburn Shores Way SE: Average speeds reduced by 9%; 85th percentile speeds reduced by 8%
- Auburn Sound Manor SE: Average speeds reduced by 30%; 85th percentile speeds reduced by 29%
Proposed changes
- Convert temporary curb extensions, speed cushions and speed humps to permanent infrastructure
- Remove all mid-block curb extensions
- Review and adjust the Auburn Bay Boulevard/Auburn Shores Way SE intersection design before permanent installation
Location-specific improvements
Auburn Shores Way S.E.
- Replace rubber speed cushions with asphalt
- Remove mid-block traffic calming curbs throughout the corridor
- Review and adjust the design before permanent installation
Auburn Sound Manor S.E.
- Replace rubber speed humps with asphalt
Cranston Avenue S.E. (Ward 12)
Community feedback
Traffic calming curbs
Positive feedback
- Requests for additional traffic calming
- Improved safety
Concerns
- Some residents felt measures were ineffective
- Aesthetic concerns
- Parking loss
- Congestion at community entrances
What we observed
Collision & speed evaluation
- Collision reduction of 20%
- Average speed reduction of 3%
- 85th percentile speed reduction of 3%
Proposed changes
- Install permanent asphalt speed cushions throughout the corridor
- Convert curb extensions at community entrances to permanent infrastructure
- Remove remaining temporary traffic calming curbs throughout the corridor
Location-specific improvements
Cranston Ave S.E.
- Install permanent asphalt speed cushions
- Convert curb extensions at community entrances to permanent infrastructure
Hidden Valley (Ward 3)
Community feedback
Traffic calming curbs
Positive feedback
- Requests for permanent installation
- Requests for additional traffic calming
Concerns
- Congestion
- Winter driving challenges
- Poor nighttime visibility
What we observed
Collision & speed evaluation
- Collision reduction of 6%
- Average speed reduction of 3%
- 85th percentile speed reduction of 2%
Proposed changes
- Install permanent asphalt speed cushions
- Continue the pilot traffic calming curbs with new speed cushions
- Adjust the temporary median at Hidden Creek Boulevard and Panatella Boulevard NW
Location-specific improvements
Hidden Creek Blvd N.W.
- Install permanent asphalt speed cushions
- Adjust the temporary centre median at the intersection at Panatella Blvd N.W.
Kensington Road from Crowchild Trail to 14 Street N.W. – Safety improvements
In the summer of 2023, temporary measures were put in place to improve safety along Kensington Road from Crowchild Trail to 14 Street N.W.
Changes include:
- Reducing to a single lane in each direction.
- Extending curbs along the corridor and most crosswalks.
- Installing rapid flashing beacon lights at crosswalks.
- Extending the existing 40 km/h speed limit.
This is in response to findings from a recent collision review and traffic assessment of the area. The changes are expected to reduce incidents and near-misses between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.