Traffic

Traffic is regulated by the Traffic Bylaw and the Saskatchewan Traffic Safety Act.

The Prince Albert Transportation Master Plan is used to guide decisions to improve future traffic operations.

Traffic is always changing throughout each neighborhood. Traffic calming, stop and yield signs and traffic lights are all tools we use to control the traffic in a neighborhood. When making decisions, we use the Transportation Association of Canada's Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Guidelines to ensure that traffic control is consistent throughout Canada.

New Rapid Flashing Beacons in four locations in the City

Pedestrians and drivers will notice new rapid flashing beacons in four crosswalk locations throughout the City of Prince Albert. The beacons are pedestrian-activated and have rectangular flashing lights to alert drivers that someone is crossing the road. Once the pedestrians cross the street, the drivers can proceed even if the lights still flash.

Watch the video where our Transportation Manager demonstate how the rapid flashing beacons work.

City Street Maps

The City monitors and records traffic volumes and traffic speeds regularly. There are 35 signalized intersections and 14 half signals. Traffic lines are painted every year on our main roadways to mark lanes and centerlines.

Please see the City Street Maps for maps that show traffic counts, school zones, speed counts, locations of signalized intersections, half signals, marked and signed crosswalks and line painting.

Complaints and Concerns

We get numerous complaints or concerns from residents every year regarding traffic. Traffic volumes, safe approaches and sight distances, street conditions, land use and accident reports are taken into consideration when deciding on what type of traffic control can be used to address these concerns. We must be careful not to use the wrong tool to solve the problem because the wrong tool can sometimes create new safety issues.

Before contacting us to report an issue, please review the information below to understand the different traffic tools, their intended use, and the process to following when making a request for changes.

Stop and Yield Signs

Stop and Yield signs are tools that can be used to control traffic to make sure that our streets are safe. If used improperly, they can cause more safety issues than they prevent. The City of Prince Albert has a Stop and Yields Signs Policy which dictates how stop and yield signs are used in our City. The requirements for stop and yield signs are below.

All way Stop Signs

An All-way stop is an intersection where all directions must stop before proceeding.

All-way stops signs (4 way or 3 way stops) may be installed when the following are true:

Traffic volume on the minor roadway is at least 30% of the total traffic at the intersection for a three way stop and 40% for a four way stop during peak traffic hours.
Located at an intersection at least 250m away from another all-way traffic control or traffic light.

If the above are true, an all-way stop can be implemented if it meets one of the following conditions:

3 or more reported accidents in the last 12 months could have been prevented by an all-way stop.
An average traffic volume of 350 vehicles per hour during peak hours from all directions.
The average delay of a vehicle entering from the minor street is more than 30 seconds.
When a traffic signal is required but cannot be installed immediately an all way stop sign can be implemented until Traffic Lights are installed.

Two way Stop Signs

A two way stop sign is used to stop traffic on the minor street before crossing the major roadway.

Two way stop signs may be implemented if one or more of the following conditions are met:

When a minor street crosses a major street.
When a grid road crosses with a provincial highway.
At an intersection of two roadways where one has a bus route.
Where sightlines are poor.
Where the application of the right-hand rule is overly dangerous.
When the safe approach speed is less than 15km/hr.
If the traffic volume on the minor street is more than 250 vehicles per hour in the peak hour.
Where accidents occurring in the last 12 months could have been prevented by a two way stop sign.

Stop Sign (General)

Stop signs will not be used:

At major roadways crossing minor roadways.
As speed control.
At crosswalks.
As temporary stops sign (except when traffic lights are temporarily not working or during emergency or construction situations).
At an intersection where it would interfere with traffic movement at a nearby traffic light.

The City will only use stop and yield signs when they are needed and use the least amount as possible to accomplish the desired safety.

Yield Signs

Yield signs are used to control traffic in a less restrictive way than a stop sign but still controls the right of way.

A Yield sign may be used if it meets one or more of the following conditions:

At the approach of a minor roadway to a major roadway where a complete stop is not necessary.
The Safe approach speed is at least 20km/hr.
At a right turn lane where no acceleration lane is provided.
At all approaches to a roundabout.

Yield signs are not used when:

Controlling speed.
At an intersection of a minor street with a highway.
At an intersection where stop signs are used on another direction.
At a right turn lane where an acceleration lane is provided.

The City will only use stop and yield signs when they are needed and use the least amount as possible to accomplish the desired safety.

Right of way

All intersections within the City of Prince Albert use the “right hand” rule, meaning unless there is traffic control to tell you otherwise, the driver of a vehicle is required to give way to the vehicle approaching from the right at intersections. When Traffic Control such as stop signs, yield signs, or traffic lights are used, the traffic control is clearly defined.

Traffic Calming and Speeding

Traffic calming is a permanent measure that changes the physical design of a street. Examples of traffic calming devices include: on-street parking, speed cushions, curb extensions and raised intersections and raised crosswalks. When speed is a concern, enforcement and education will be the first steps used. See the Traffic Calming Policy for more details.

Please see the Speeding page for more information on initiatives to address speeding in Prince Albert.

Requirements for Traffic Calming Device

Must be a Residential Street.
Adequate Traffic Volume – between 1 and 5000 trips per day.
Speeding – speeds are measured at over 10km/hr over the speed limit. Click to view the Traffic Speed Count Map.
Pedestrian use – streets must be close to where people walk to or from.
Support from neighbors – 75% of residents within 75m of the proposed traffic calming must be in favor of the proposal.
Established Traffic Patterns – Current and future traffic patterns will be considered.

How to request a Traffic Calming Device

If you feel that your street meets the requirements, call 306-953-4900 and ask to speak with the Transportation and Traffic Manager. The Transportation and Traffic Manager will recommend that you start collecting signatures from your neighbors to demonstrate neighborhood support. Additionally, the following steps are required:

Speeds may be measured by the Public Works department.
Traffic Calming Plans may be made if traffic volumes and speeds are measured high.
Feedback may be collected from residents, emergency services etc….
Approval may be recommended to City Council.
Implementation may be completed, if approved by City Council.

This process can take an average of a year to obtain the proper speed counts, receive approvals and make necessary budgets.

Traffic Calming Examples

When you think of traffic calming, the first thing you might think of is speed bumps. But, there are many different methods that can change driver behavior and improve pedestrian safety.

Enforcement, Education, Engineering and Environment

Traffic Safety is not just one groups responsibility. The 4 E's of Traffic safety brings everything together to improve Traffic Safety.

Enforcement

To report a traffic related incident online, use the Prince Albert Police Service Report a Crime Online website.

To make a request for education and enforcement in any speed zone in the City of Prince Albert, phone the Public Works Department. The Public Works Department will work with the Prince Albert Police Service to install speed alert signs, monitor speeds and issue tickets when required.

Education

Public Awareness campaigns and electronic speed alert signs are examples of education options. Please see the Speeding page for more information on current speeding initiatives.

To make a request for education in any speed zone in the City of Prince Albert call the Public Works Department at 306-953-4900. The Public Works Department may install speed alert signs, monitor speed and request police enforcement where required.

Engineering

Best efforts are made to design streets that can be used by all road users safely. However, things can change and sometimes engineering changes such as Traffic Calming is required to make sure that all road users' needs are met.

One example of an engineering change has been raised crosswalks in school zones. These crosswalks provide a prominent crossing area for pedestrians and encourage drivers to slow down.

Environment

The environment on the side of the road changes how safe people feel on the road or sidewalk. Trees, landscaping, and even parking lanes, can create a sense that the streets purpose is for both walking and vehicles.

Traffic Lights

Traffic lights tell all drivers and pedestrians what to do at an intersection. They control busy intersections where other types of control would cause significant delays.

Requesting a Traffic Light

To install a traffic light at a location it must meet the Transportation Association of Canada warrant. This takes into account traffic and pedestrian volumes during peak periods, proximity to seniors, and schools. The City of Prince Albert completed a Transportation Master Plan that details traffic projects for the future. This plan identifies a couple of locations which will receive traffic lights in the future.

Traffic Light is burnt out

If you find a traffic light that is burnt out, please contact Public Works to report the problem.

If you find a burnt out street light please report it to SaskPower online or call 1-888-757-6937.

Lights Flashing

If you approach an intersection where lights are flashing:

Flashing Yellow – Proceed with Caution

Flashing Red – Stop before proceeding, proceed when it is safe to do so

Contact Public Works to report the problem

Lights are completely out

In cases where traffic lights are out completely, treat an intersection like a 4 way stop, all vehicles must stop before proceeding.

Contact Public Works to report the problem.

Lights are not switching to green from red

Traffic lights operate on a sensor system. Make sure you are pulled up to the stop bar and in the proper lane. Vehicles need to be properly detected in order to trigger a light to switch.

If you are pulled up to the stop bar and in the proper lane and the lights are still not switching a detector is likely not working.

Contact Public Works to report the problem.

Lights are taking too long

Traffic lights operate on a sensor system. Make sure that you are pulled up to the stop bar and in the proper lane. At some intersections the light will not change until a vehicle is detected.

Lights in the City of Prince Albert are set to cycle on a 90 second or 120 second cycle. This means all directions of travel will be serviced in 90 to 120 seconds.

If you are pulled up into the proper place and the traffic lights are taking longer than 90 to 120 seconds to cycle contact Public Works to report the problem.

No walking signal

Make sure you have pressed the pedestrian push button until it clicks. Pedestrians are treated like any other vehicle pulling up to an intersection. The lights will have to cycle over to your direction of travel before the walking signal will display.

If you have pushed the pedestrian push button at the intersection and the walking signal does not come up contact Public Works (306) 953-4900 to report the problem.

I am being stopped at a traffic light but there is no pedestrian or traffic crossing.

Occasionally pedestrians will push the button to cross but cross before the light has turned red. (This is especially an issue at 2^nd Avenue West and 13^th Street). Then traffic has to stop when there is no one crossing.

In other cases, there is likely an issue with the detection at this intersection. Contact Public Works to report the problem.