Thank you for visiting the City of Fort Saskatchewan automated traffic enforcement webpage where you can find information about traffic safety, collisions, collision costs, enforcement, and other ways the City is working to make our roads safer.
Automated traffic enforcement (ATE) technology, combined with other transportation safety strategies, such as education and awareness, can help reduce the number and severity of collisions on our highways.
Photo Laser Sites may be active at any of the following locations:
- All School Zones (During School Days)
- All Playground Zones
- Highway 21 (All directions)
- Highway 15 (All directions)
- 99 Avenue (East and Westbound)
- River Road (East and Westbound)
- Southfort Drive (North and Southbound)
- 86 Avenue (North and Southbound)
Intersection Safety Device Systems are active at the following intersections:
- Highway 21 and Southfort Boulevard
- Highway 21 and 84 Street
- Highway 21 and Highway 15 (North and Southbound)
- Highway 15 and 101 Street
- Highway 15 and 114 Street
- 99 Avenue at 95 Street
View Automated Enforcement Locations Map
| ATE Data |
|
The City of Fort Saskatchewan was averaging 1 to 2 fatal collisions per year leading up to 2008. In 2007, the City lowered the Highway 21 and Highway 15 speed limit to 70 km/h in part to address the number and nature of collisions along the urban highway corridor.
By 2008, our rate of fatal and injury collisions stood at 3.989 per 1000 residents. In 2009, the City introduced our first two intersection safety devices at problem intersections. That year, the two intersection safety devices recorded an average of 14 red-light violations per week or 7 per week per intersection.
Between 2008 and 2015, the City added additional police and peace officers, and additional intersection safety devices at high collision locations or approaches to those locations. In 2015, the intersection safety devices recorded an average of 4 red-light violations per week across multiple sites and our rate of fatal and injury collisions decreased to 1.872 per 1000 residents, a 53% reduction. By 2022, there has been a 48% reduction in fatal and injury collisions, when compared to 2008.
| Comparators | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|
| Population |
26,328 |
26,942 |
27,391 |
27,650 |
28,045 |
| Fatal & Injury (F&I) Collisions |
43 |
52 |
42 |
46 |
58 |
| F&I Collision Rate per 1000 Residents |
1.633 |
1.93 |
1.533 |
1.664 |
2.068 |
| Number of Intersection Safety Devices (ISD) |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
| Number of ISD Locations |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
- When compared to 2008, there has been a 48% reduction in fatal and injury collisions in 2022.
- Since 2018, there has been a 27% increase in fatal and injury collisions.
- The population of Fort Saskatchewan has increased 6.5% in the last 5 years.
Automated Traffic Enforcement: Issued Violations
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | % Change
2018-2022YTD |
|---|
| Speed on Green |
15,909 |
20,400 |
13,508 |
19,442 |
18,392 |
15.61% |
| Red Light |
551 |
420 |
403 |
653 |
807 |
46.46% |
| Photo Radar |
687 |
484 |
152 |
137 |
0 |
-100.00% |
| Total |
18,111 |
23,638 |
14,063 |
20,232 |
19,199 |
11.97% |
2022 January to December - City of Fort Saskatchewan Intersection Safety Device Data
| Site | Location | Vehicle County at Site | Speed on Green Issued Tickets | Red Light Issued Tickets | Total Issued Violations | Percent Ticketed |
|---|
| 601 |
HWY 15 SW BND @ HWY 21 |
2,106,558 |
155 |
45 |
200 |
0.009 |
| 608 |
HWY 21 NE BND @ HWY 15 |
1,794,971 |
171 |
47 |
218 |
0.0012 |
| 609 |
HWY 21 NE BND TURN LANE @ HWY 15 |
731,688 |
0 |
237 |
237 |
0.032 |
| 602 |
HWY 15 NE BND @ 101 ST |
1,285,151 |
130 |
35 |
165 |
0.013 |
| 603 |
HWY 21 SW BND @ 84 ST |
2,198,253 |
1,872 |
118 |
1,990 |
0.091 |
| 604 |
HWY 21 NE BND @ SOUTHFORT BLVD |
1,573,701 |
1,414 |
30 |
1,445 |
0.092 |
| 605 |
99 AVE NE BND @ 95 ST |
953,247 |
2,522 |
232 |
2,754 |
0.289 |
| 606 |
HWY 15 SW BND @ 114 ST |
1,687,063 |
7,108 |
29 |
7,137 |
0.423 |
| 607 |
HWY 15 NE BND @ 114 ST |
1,730,501 |
5,019 |
34 |
5,053 |
0.292 |
| Total |
14,061,133 |
18,391 |
807 |
19,199 |
0.14 |
Less than 1% of traffic through the ISD sites receive a speeding or red light violation.
Intersection Safety Device Site Collision Data
| Site | Location | Fatal Collisions | Injury Collisions | Property Damage Collisions | Total |
|---|
| '20 |
'21 |
'22 |
'20 |
'21 |
'22 |
'20 |
'21 |
'22 |
2020-2022 |
|
601
608
609
|
HWY 15 SW BND @ HWY 21
HWY 21 NE BND @ HWY 15
HWY 21 NE BND TURN LANE @ HWY 15
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
7 |
18 |
13 |
52 |
| 602 |
HWY 15 NE BND @ 101 ST |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
9 |
11 |
5 |
32 |
| 603 |
HWY 21 SW BND @ 84 ST |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
13 |
| 604 |
HWY 21 NE BND @ SOUTHFORT BLVD |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
11 |
32 |
| 605 |
99 AVE NE BND @ 95 ST |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
7 |
|
606
607
|
HWY 15 SW BND @ 114 ST HWY 15 NE BND @ 114 ST |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
12 |
|
Total
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
15 |
15 |
26 |
43 |
37 |
148 |
| ATE FAQ |
|
The City uses various kinds of automated traffic enforcement, in accordance with provincial guidelines.
Locations:
Automated traffic enforcement are located at various approved locations (can link with our location list) within the city. Locations where automated traffic enforcement is conducted is reviewed and approved on multiple levels, including the Justice & Solicitor General’s office. Areas where enforcement is focused on includes:
- high collision locations;
- where conventional enforcement is unsafe or ineffective;
- high pedestrian volume locations;
- school and playground zones or parks areas;
- construction zones;
- areas where the public or community has expressed concerns related to speeding or other high risk driving behaviors.
Fines are set by the Province of Alberta and listed in the specified penalties listed in the Alberta Traffic Safety Act.
| How are locations for automated traffic enforcement selected? |
|
Automated traffic enforcement is used on roadways where collisions, violation rates and/or safety are a concern.
The frequency and severity of collisions are factored into deciding where automated traffic enforcement will be located. For example, while a location may have a very low frequency of collisions, the severity of those collisions may be severe enough to warrant additional enforcement in order to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.
All locations are reviewed and approved by the RCMP and subject to audits by the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General. Automated enforcement locations are posted on our website.
Automated enforcement vehicles are permitted by the Traffic Safety Act to park on boulevards, shoulders and other no parking areas while performing their duties.
|
| What is the difference between mobile and fixed intersection automated traffic enforcement? |
|
Mobile Automated Traffic Enforcement
Used to monitor speed, red light and stop sign infractions, mobile automated traffic enforcement uses vehicle-mounted equipment or portable systems that are controlled by an operator who is either inside a vehicle or located nearby, watching the infraction(s) occur. Mobile automated traffic enforcement is used between intersections and at intersections on a temporary basis. Mobile equipment takes both still images and video footage of violating vehicles, and records the location, date and time of the infraction(s). A trained and qualified peace officer sits with the equipment, observes the violating vehicles and makes notes accordingly. The equipment and technology utilized goes through regular testing as required by the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General.
Fixed Intersection Automated Traffic Enforcement
Fixed intersection automated traffic enforcement systems are fully automated and mounted above or before intersections to capture red light and speed violations. In the case of a red light violation, lane-specific technology that detects moving vehicles triggers the camera just before and after the vehicle enters the intersection to clearly show a red light violation occurred. In the case of speed violations, the same lane-specific technology identifies the violating vehicle and captures the required evidence of the violation. Although an operator is not present at the intersection, a peace officer does review any violation(s) captured by the fixed intersection system to confirm and determine that an offence has occurred.
|
| Why is automated traffic enforcement used? |
|
Automated traffic enforcement is one tool that is used to promote safe driving in Fort Saskatchewan. It helps change/improve driving behaviours and encourages drivers to follow the rules of the road without taking away from other priorities and enforcement efforts in our city. Speeding, running red lights and failing to stop at stop signs are leading causes of serious and fatal collisions. Many cities use automated traffic enforcement and have seen improvements in overall road safety.
|
| Isn’t regular enforcement enough? |
| It is difficult for police/peace officers to enforce red light and speed infractions at intersections because they must follow offenders through the intersection, potentially against the light, to catch them. This can endanger other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, as well as the officers. The cameras allow police/peace officers to focus on other enforcement priorities. |
|
|
| ATE Revenue |
|
The City of Fort Saskatchewan invests a portion of the revenue from Automated Traffic Enforcement back into Traffic Safety Initiatives. Both Protective Services and the City Engineering Department utilize a portion of the revenue to invest back into traffic safety initiatives.
Projected 2023 Automated Traffic Enforcement Revenue: $1,090,390
Protective Services Traffic Safety Initiative Funds: $85,000
Protective Services Traffic Safety Initiatives include:
- Traffic Safety Education through media campaigns Mix 107.9 radio station
- Bike Rodeo - youth education in bicycle safety
- Slow Down lawn sign campaign – 2023 initiative
- MES Officer Bike Patrol Program
- Traffic Safety Equipment
Fleet, Facilities and Engineering Department Traffic Safety Initiative Funds: $75,000
- Traffic Calming Infrastructure
- Pedestrian Flashing Beacon Lights
|
| About Enforcement |
|
Enforcement Strategies include a combination of:
- conventional enforcement (officers stopping motorists to address a traffic safety violation or concern),
- photo-laser (hand-held devices that record a violation and result in the violating motorist receiving a ticket in the mail) and
- intersection safety device cameras (fixed camera sites that record speeding and/or red-light violations that result in the violating motorist receiving a ticket in the mail).
Our own experiences in Fort Saskatchewan and extensive traffic safety research has proven a combination of conventional and automated enforcement works best to achieve desired traffic safety outcomes.
|
| Council Supports |
|
Traffic safety is a community priority. Council supports and funds traffic safety through the annual budget process.
Municipal Enforcement Services and the RCMP receive annual funding to support traffic safety. Additionally, Council in 2017, funded a Protective Services Analyst who dedicates a portion of each week to collision and traffic analysis.
In 2018 and again in 2019, Council provided additional funding specifically allocated to traffic safety. In 2018, funds paid for:
- enhanced high-visibility cross-walks that use solar power for day/night lighting,
- roadway redesign and re-engineering near schools,
- education sessions including youth-specific bicycle safety programs,
- pedestrian visibility initiatives and safety presentations for all of the K-6 grades,
- Option 4 Programs whereby directed enforcement of a priority safety issue provided some motorists the option to attend an education session in lieu of fine payment, and much more.
|
| Our Traffic Safety Goal |
|
In 2018, City Council formally adopted Vision Zero as our traffic safety goal. Vision Zero to us means that no loss of life or serious injury arising from a collision is acceptable.
|
| Our Traffic Safety Strategy |
|
Traffic safety is a shared responsibility between motorists, pedestrians, road engineers and road-maintenance personnel, and the officers who enforce the rules of the road. This is why the City of Fort Saskatchewan utilizes a Safe System Approach to traffic safety. A Safe System Approach to traffic safety include elements of; Education, Engineering, Engagement, Enforcement and Evaluation (the 5 E’s), either individually or in combination.
Fort Saskatchewan analyzes collision data (time, date, location and cause), traffic data (type of vehicle, speeds and volumes), and sustained traffic safety complaints to determine if enforcement is required and where enforcement would best support Vision Zero. This approach to traffic safety ensures enforcement is conducted solely for traffic safety purposes.
|
| Provincial Regulation |
|
The Alberta Justice and Solicitor General provides guidelines for automated enforcement use and evaluation requirements.
View the Automated Traffic Enforcement Guideline
|
|
| The City of Fort Saskatchewan has made progress on reducing fatalities and serious injuries as well as overall total collisions on our roadways over the years. With the implementation of the Safety System Approach to traffic safety which encourages a better understanding of the key elements of the road system, road users including: drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, roads and roadsides and travel speeds. 
Collisions At a Glance 2020 Collision Quick Facts
- 286 Collisions were reported in the City of Fort Saskatchewan;
- 42 Injury-related collisions were reported;
- 1 fatal collision event occurred, resulting in 2 fatalities and 1 major injury;
- 39 of the 42 injury-related collisions were minor injuries; where the injured party was assessed roadside and able to proceed home without medical intervention;
- 3 of the 42 injury-related collisions were major injuries; where the injured party was transported to hospital for immediate medical needs;
- Rear-end collisions was the most common collision-event type;
- 19% of reported collisions took place on Thursdays;
- 5PM had the highest frequency of reported collisions;
- The highest number of reported collisions took place in January (46) and least took place in April (7);
- 75% of reported collisions involved two vehicles, 20% involved single vehicle collisions and 5% involved 3+ vehicles.
- 44% of reported collisions took place in intersections;
- 21% of reported collisions took place in parking lots;
- ZERO pedestrian-related collisions were reported!
Monitoring collision trends The RCMP and Municipal Enforcement Services monitors the previous years collision trends to help plan for key focus areas for the upcoming year. Some of the key focus areas include:
- Speed – speed increases both the frequency and severity of motor vehicle collisions.
- Intersections – the majority of fatal and serious injury collisions are intersection related.
- Education – the majority of collisions are the result of driver behavior. Protective Services will focus on Education and Awareness around safe driving behavior.
City of Fort Saskatchewan Collision Data 
City of Fort Saskatchewan Collision Data
| Type of Collision |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Total |
% Change
2017-2020 |
| Total Collisions |
536 |
369 |
354 |
286 |
1544 |
-47% |
| Property Damage Collisions |
496 |
323 |
302 |
243 |
1364 |
-51% |
| Injury Collisions |
38 |
46 |
50 |
42 |
176 |
11% |
| Minor Injuries |
32 |
40 |
44 |
39 |
155 |
22% |
| Major Injuries |
6 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
21 |
-50% |
| Fatal Events |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
-50% |
| Vulnerable Road User Collisions |
9 |
10 |
11 |
5 |
34 |
44% |
| Pedestrians |
7 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
17 |
N/A |
| Cyclists |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
8 |
200% |
| Motorcyclists |
1 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
10 |
100% |
Primary Cause of Collision
| Primary Injury Collision Event |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
% Change
2017-2020 |
| Total Fatal Events |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
-50% |
| Struck Object |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
-50% |
| Left Turn Across Path |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
N/A |
| Total Injury Collisions |
38 |
46 |
50 |
42 |
11% |
| Rear End |
14 |
15 |
18 |
18 |
29% |
| Struck Object |
15 |
14 |
19 |
13 |
-13% |
| Left Turn Across Path |
6 |
10 |
8 |
5 |
-17% |
| Right Angle |
2 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
| Backed Up |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
| Side Swipe |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| Off-Road |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
N/A |
* Collisions involving rear-end are the primary cause of injury collisions PREVENT Rear-End Collisions
- Following to Close
- Failing to maintain the proper safe distance between two vehicles
- Driver distracted driving
- Failing to account for road conditions
- Speeding
Vulnerable Road User Collisions Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycle riders share the roadways with all vehicle operators on a daily basis. These road users, termed vulnerable road users, have less protection than drivers of other types of transportation, making them more vulnerable to imminent roadway hazards. 35 collisions involving vulnerable road users have occurred in the City of Fort Saskatchewan from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020. 
Vulnerable Road User Collision
| Type of Collision |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Total |
% Change
2017-2020 |
| Vulnerable Road User Collisions |
9 |
10 |
11 |
5 |
34 |
44% |
| Pedestrians |
7 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
17 |
N/A |
| Cyclists |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
8 |
200% |
| Motorcyclists |
1 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
10 |
100% |
|
