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Edmonton’s traffic management program will focus on key corridors using a combination of technology and localized roadway improvements. This framework will ultimately provide Edmonton with an integrated, multi-modal traffic management system that is needs driven, technology based and capable of accommodating changing traffic management needs and evolving technologies. The program will enable migration from the city’s current traffic control systems to an advanced multi-modal traffic management system that proactively manages congestion. A further aspect of efficiently operating roadways is controlling and optimizing the supply of transportation system capacity. The City must manage the allocation of road space using a variety of coordinated strategies to make the best use of its facilities as part of prioritizing transportation. Available roadway capacity can be directed to maximize the people-moving ability of the existing network and to reduce the costs of operation. Supply management strategies can: •
Maximize people movement.
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Maintain or improve safety for all users.
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Reduce or defer the need for new infrastructure and services and the additional operation and maintenance costs.
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Contribute to modal shift objectives.
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Minimize the costs of congestion.
Supply management strategies include options such as access management, reversible lanes, ramp metering, High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and bus lanes, bicycle lanes and time controlled parking/travel lanes. It could involve the reallocation of existing road space for other users such as transit, carpool vehicles, bicycles or taxis in order to maximize the people moving capacity of a corridor.
Strategic Objective 7.1 The City will develop a comprehensive program to continually optimize the efficiency of the existing roadway system using traffic management and transportation supply measures.
Strategic Actions a. Developing a program to proactively identify, evaluate and design projects to optimize the operation of the roadways in key corridors and areas of congestion using traffic management and transportation supply measures. b. Developing and implementing transit priority corridors using transit signal and intersection improvements to improve reliability and efficiency of transit service with a focus on key corridors to accommodate premium bus service and high demand corridors. c. Using transportation supply management strategies to promote increased use of travel modes other than the single occupant vehicle, including reallocation of existing road space. d. Supporting the continued development of the Traffic Management Centre with linkages to transit, roadway operations, emergency response control centres (i.e. police, fire, ambulance, 911, 311, etc.) and potentially neighbouring cities and external agencies such as Alberta Transportation. e. Working with emergency response services teams to plan, design and operate the roadway system to ensure prompt and effective response.