Traffic Management - Traffic & Pedestrian Controlled Signals

Traffic Management: Traffic & Pedestrian Controlled Signals

The City of Vancouver relies on a surface street network to handle its transportation needs. Therefore, pedestrian, cyclist, transit and traffic signals are significant traffic management elements in the safe movement of people and goods.

Traffic Signal Program

Every year, Traffic Management submits the Traffic Signal report to City Council for approval. This report includes various locations which are being recommended for signalization in the upcoming year. These locations are selected based on a city-wide priority ranking system. To rank these locations, City staff conduct studies at numerous locations throughout the year. For a full copy of the current report, please view:

The different types of signals which may be recommended are:

Full signals

Increased traffic demand and volume
New developments
Address pedestrian and traffic safety

Pedestrian-controlled signals

High pedestrian volume
Infrequent crossing opportunities

Special crosswalks

Note: Special crosswalks are NOT SIGNALS.

Advance warning for drivers
Enhanced driver and pedestrian awareness

Before recommending that a traffic signal be installed or modified, the intersection is thoroughly studied. These intersection studies consider the following

Pedestrian and vehicle movements and volumes

Geometric considerations

Historical data and redevelopment in the area

Collision data

Users of the transportation system such as pedestrians, cyclists, transit vehicles, trucks and automobiles are also considered in these studies.

Pedestrian Studies

Each year City staff receive around 125 requests for pedestrian signals, as a result, staff conduct pedestrian studies at more than 100 locations per year. Pedestrian studies are used to evaluate locations throughout the City, these studies include reviews of:

Pedestrian and traffic volumes

Driver and pedestrian behaviour

Visibility, for both pedestrians and drivers

Adjacent pedestrian facilities

And a safety history

Most current and past Council Agendas, Reports and decisions can be found online, search the City of Vancouver City Council Schedules and Meetings.