The City often receives inquiries about installing a YIELD sign at intersections as a way to reduce speeding and accidents. YIELD signs; however, are usually installed to regulate traffic flow and improve safety. Their main purpose is to provide right-of-way control at intersections and to reduce certain types of accidents.

City of Grande Prairie use following method for installing YIELD sign on local / residential  street.

T- Intersections

 The right of way does not usually need to be assigned at a tee intersection of two residential or local streets. It should be obvious that the straight road has the right of way. A yield sign may be installed if there is not a house or trees or something to break up the sight line so a motorist imagines the road continues past the intersection. If the safe approach speed is greater than 15km/h or the traffic volume is higher the yield sign can be upgraded to a stop sign.
 
4-way Intersections

Typically, a 4-way intersection of two residential or local streets can be controlled by yield signs on both approaches to one of the streets. If there is a sight distance problem on one of the controlled approaches and the safe approach speed is greater than 15 km/h as well as the traffic volume, the yield signs on both approaches can be changed to stop signs after stop warrant analysis. The street with more traffic should have the right of way.

Yes, traffic signals are co-ordinated (NOT ALL) to minimize stops and delays. Perfect coordination is difficult due to the varying speeds and congestion of traffic. The distance between signals and differing amounts of green time at each intersection also affect coordination. Also, perfect coordination for one direction results in stops and delays for the other direction.

To determine whether the installation of  Four-way stop is warranted, Transportation staff must first conduct a traffic study at the intersection. This study considers a number of key factors such as collisions, traffic volumes, roadway geometry and neighbouring traffic control devices. If the requirements are met, staff will typically recommend the installation of Four way Stop Sign.

A few key points:
• Four –Way Stop signs controls operate more effectively at intersections with higher traffic volumes, and a balanced split between the traffic on the major street and on the minor street.
• Four-Way Stop signs are intended to control right-of-way and are not intended as speed control devices.

The City does not typically use stop signs at T-intersections in residential areas. The right-of-way at T intersections is covered under Traffic Vehicle Code, which requires that motorists on the T-leg yield to motorists on the through roadway. Stop signs are generally used on the minor leg of a T-intersection only if there is significant traffic volume on the through street.

Motorists usually drive at a speed that they instinctively feel comfortable with based on road conditions. Studies have shown that less accidents occur on roadways where most vehicles are about the same speed. Therefore, Engineers normally determine the speed limits based on considerations of factors such as:

• Prevailing traffic speed
• Road geometric standards
• Potential inferences from adjacent accesses
• Pedestrian activity
• Distances between traffic signal controlled intersections
• Roadway alignment, visibility and stopping sight distance
• Adjacent land uses
• Traffic accident history

Overall city transportation plan and road classifications.

Speeding on residential streets is a common complaint reported by concerned citizens throughout the City. Speed humps are often requested because they are perceived as a quick and effective solution to speeding. Research has shown; however, that speed humps are not always an effective or safe traffic control device.
The City of Grande Prairie has done its own effectiveness assessment before considering speed humps as a possible solution to residential speeding.The study carefully evaluated the impact of speed humps on traffic speeds and other related elements in neighborhoods. At the conclusion of the study, it was determined that speed humps are not a desirable speed control method for our City, due to a number of negative factors, specifically Emergency Response Time: The most significant issue is the emergency vehicle response time.

For that reasons, the City of Grande Prairie does not use speed humps on public streets.

The City of Grande Prairie uses Light Emitting Diodes for Traffic Signal Lights:

The uses of Light emitting diodes (LEDs) for traffic signal lamp is an example of Grande Prairie commitment to innovation and cost saving.

The average life of an incandescent lamp is one year as compared to a life expectancy of a LED lamp which is up to ten years.

Benefits of a longer lamp include:

• Less Maintenance
• Shorter Traffic Delays caused by repair equipment in intersections
• Greatly reduced electric bills
• Reduced risks for technicians and motorists due to reduction of time spent replacing burned out lamps at intersections

Comparative Wattage Use

Incandescent   LED    Percent Reduction
91                     7.0            92.3%
91                     9.5            89.6%
136                 14.0            89.7%
136                 19.0            86.0%
136                   6.5            95.2%

LED Technology Average Reduction 90.5%