ROUTING Transportation Committee | DELEGATION - D. Wandzura/G.

Cebryk
May 21, 2014 Transportation Services CR_586
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Whitemud Drive - Analysis of Increasing the
Speed Limit

Recommendation:
That the May 21, 2014, Transportation Services report CR_586, be received for
information.
Report Summary
This report provides the results of a feasibility assessment and safety analysis
for potentially increasing the 80 km/h posted speed limit on Whitemud Drive.
Based on the analysis and review, the report recommends that the posted speed
limit on Whitemud Drive remain at 80 km/h.
Previous Council/Committee Action
At the August 21, 2013, Transportation Committee meeting, the following motion was
passed:

That Administration provide a report to Transportation Committee outlining:
a. results of further assessment and analysis of segregating corridors of
Whitemud Drive for potential speed limit changes
b. the following statistics (including seasonal trend analysis) regarding
Whitemud Drive:
motorist speed by time of day
volume (with comparisons to other roads)
number of speeding tickets issued (both photo radar and manned)
number of collisions
c. information regarding changes required in Whitemud Drive road design to
increase the speed limit
d. the noise impact of increasing the speed limit on Whitemud Drive
e. information regarding merging and exiting issues related to increasing the
speed limit on Whitemud Drive
Report
The Whitemud Drive Posted Speed Limit Traffic Safety Assessment and Feasibility
Analysis report (Attachment 1) is attached for information. A comprehensive analysis
was conducted to determine the suitability of a posted speed limit increase based on six
factors:
1. Segmentation of Whitemud Drive.
6.
2


PLEASE RETAIN THIS REPORT FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
Whitemud Drive - Analysis of Increasing the Speed Limit

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2. Transition zones.
3. Collision speed, volume and enforcement statistics.
4. Road design.
5. Noise and emission impact.
6. Merging and exiting issues.
Based on this comprehensive technical review, the City of Edmonton, Office of Traffic
Safety is not recommending an increase in the 80 kmh/h posted speed limit on any
segment or throughout the entire length of Whitemud Drive.
This recommendation is based on the following:
1. The segregation of Whitemud Drive into corridors, as identified in Appendix A,
Figure A-1 and A-2 of the report, confirms high rates of collisions throughout which
taper on the east and west end segments of Whitemud Drive. Zone D, C-1, and C-2
could potentially be increased to 90 km/h; however, other major infrastructure
impediments would significantly reduce traffic safety and are covered in the transition
zones from Whitemud Drive connecting with external roadways.
2. The transition zones of Whitemud Drive on the east end and west end to external
infrastructure have similar as well as separate traffic safety issues. The transition zone
on the east boundary of Whitemud Drive connects Zone C-1 and Zone D with the
Anthony Henday Drive Interchange and turns into Township Road 522. Traffic is
restricted to one through lane, a reduction of speed to 70 km/h, and a set of traffic lights
at Range Road 233. This often results in stopped vehicles queuing for the traffic signal
with backed up traffic onto the Anthony Henday Drive Interchange and extending west
onto Whitemud Drive. The transition on the Whitemud Drive west boundary from Zone
C-2 connects with the Anthony Henday Drive interchange and is quickly reduced to one
through lane at 80 km/h. This portion of Whitemud Drive west of Anthony Henday Drive
has a high density of housing on either side and accommodates a large volume of traffic
for two major businesses south and southwest of Whitemud Drive and 231 Street. The
traffic signals at 231 Street control one through lane westbound, as well as
accommodates a large volume of turning traffic. Both the east and west Whitemud Drive
connections to Anthony Henday Drive and external roadways have traffic safety issues
relating to property damage, injury, and one fatal collision.
3. Automated enforcement violation speeds are overwhelmingly consistent at about
100 km/h which is 20 km/h over the posted speed limit. With the present high frequency
of collisions along Whitemud Drive, any increase in the posted speed limit will further
amplify traffic safety concerns relating to vehicles entering, exiting, and merging onto
Whitemud Drive.
4. Edmonton Police Services manned enforcement along Whitemud Drive shows a
fluctuation in speeding violations along different segments and also confirms speeding
along the entire stretch of the roadway.
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5. The two primary causes of collisions along Whitemud Drive relate to following too
closely and changing lanes improperly. The distribution of these collisions is
concentrated in the right turn bay/ramp, the first lane from the curb, and the second lane
from the curb. Collisions in the right turn bay/ramp areas are potentially related to speed
differential of through traffic and ramp traffic. The Following Too Closely and Changing
Lanes Improperly collisions in the curb lane and second lane from the curb also suggest
conflict points with slower entering and exiting traffic and through traffic.
6. The Collision Rate Comparison Table below (2010 - 2012) confirms that Whitemud
Drive has a significantly higher collision rate than similar roads.

Intersection Collision Rate
(collisions per million
vehicles entering the
intersection)
Midblock
Collision Rate
(collisions per
million vehicle-
kilometers)
Whitemud Drive 1.021 1.695
Anthony Henday
Drive
0.281 0.373
Yellowhead Trail 0.977 1.190

7. Transportation Services report CR_238 (Whitemud Freeway Speed Limit
Changes) summarized critical geometric constraints that support the present 80
km/h posted speed limit. Major road design changes would be required in order to
increase the speed limit such as:
a. Re-alignment of horizontal curves north of Quesnell Bridge and south of
53 Avenue.
b. Re-design the left-hand exiting ramp at Terwillegar Drive into right-side
exiting and reconstruct the ramp.
c. At extremely high cost, close some entrances/exits to increase spacing of
interchanges from 91 Street to 111 Street; and
d. Re-design several underpasses and vertical curves with limited sight
distance, such as those at 106 Street and 111 Street.
8. Transportation Services report 2009TD0150 (Whitemud Drive/Quesnell Bridge Noise
Attenuation) confirms noise levels on Whitemud Drive are at levels which may require
noise attenuation counter-measures under Urban Traffic Noise Policy (C506) if there
are any increases in the current noise level, particularly at locations which are adjacent
to residential areas. An increase in the posted speed limit along Whitemud Drive could
potentially increase the noise levels which may require installation of noise attenuation
walls. Exhaust emission levels would also increase for Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen
Oxide.
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9. The current Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads (TAC, 1999 Edition)
suggests that any increase in the posted speed limit would require extended
acceleration and deceleration lanes at specific locations.
10. The present traffic operating profile of Whitemud Drive confirms a speed gap
between through traffic and traffic using the on-ramps and off-ramps. An increase in
the posted speed limit will increase the speed gap which will increase the potential
conflict areas for entering, exiting, and merging traffic.
11. The proposed higher density of land use of urban areas along Whitemud Drive will
require more frequent entering, exiting, and interweaving of traffic which will increase
traffic congestion and reduce traffic safety.

12. The Edmonton Police Service Traffic Section was provided a copy of this
assessment and confirmed they do not support increasing the Posted speed limit on
Whitemud Drive.
In conclusion, the above traffic safety data and analysis confirms that Whitemud Drive
has a significantly greater number of collisions than comparable similar roads. This
traffic safety assessment does not support any change in the present posted speed
limit.
From an engineering perspective, specific sections of Whitemud Drive have design
speeds that could support a posted speed limit of 90 km/h; however, based on the
collision data, speed data and noise consideration, an increase in the posted speed limit
is not recommended.
Should City Council consider increasing the posted speed limit along specific segments,
the east segment from 75 Street to 17 Street has a design which could allow an
increase in the posted speed limit. Similarly, the segment from 159 Street to Guardian
Road has a design which can accommodate a posted speed limit of 90 km/h.
Administration does not recommend a change to the posted speed limit throughout
Whitemud Drive.
Corporate Outcomes
The increase in the Posted Speed Limit will impact several Corporate Outcomes
namely:
1. Preserve & Sustain Edmonton's Environment
2. Improve Edmonton's Liveability
3. Transform Edmonton's Urban Form
4. Shift Edmonton's Transportation Mode and Reduce Safety
5. Ensure Edmonton's Financial Sustainability
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Attachments
1. Whitemud Drive Posted Speed Limit Traffic Safety Assessment and Feasibility
Analysis Report