Traffic and transit trends are evaluated and monitored to help manage Edmonton's transportation network.
None of the following devices, whether for short-term or continuous data collection, are intended for enforcement or surveillance purposes. The collected data will be utilized by the City for a range of objectives, such as traffic analysis and planning, neighbourhood and infrastructure development.
Short-Term Data Collection and Technology
The Mobility Monitoring and Analysis team with the City of Edmonton collects short-term mobility data, including traffic volume, speed, and pedestrian counts, over periods ranging from a few hours to several days. Leveraging emerging technologies and advanced computing capabilities, we support various business areas in making data-driven decisions. Depending on the device type and data collection purpose, these devices may remain on-site for 24 hours to 7 days. Our data collection primarily relies on three key technologies.
Video Camera
A portable device that can be used to capture vehicle turning movement counts at intersections, traffic volume at roadway midblock, pedestrian and cyclist counts, vehicle users of Big Bin events and playground user counts. The image captured from this video is of low resolution and quality, which prevents facial recognition for privacy protection. Data captured with this device is aggregated through Artificial Intelligence processes and used for analytic purposes.
Magnetic Imaging Sensor
A portable on-road device with vehicle magnetic imaging technology-based sensors to capture speed, length and gap of vehicles. No license plate will be collected. Usually the data is collected for 1-7 days for 24 hours/day.
Radar-Based Sensor
A non-intrusive, roadside portable radar based device to capture speed, length and gap of vehicles on midblock in one- or two-direction traffic. No license plate will be collected. Usually the data is collected for 1-7 days for 24 hours/day.
Permanent Data Collection and Technology
In addition to short-term data collection, the Mobility Monitoring and Analysis team also collects data continuously, 24/7, 365 days a year, through permanently installed devices. Our permanent data collection primarily relies on two key technologies.
Pedestrian or Cyclist Counters
A permanent device to count either pedestrians or cyclists. Our counters use either inductive loop, for cyclist count, or thermal sensor technology, for pedestrian count. The locations and data of these counters either pedestrian counter only, cyclist counter only or combined pedestrian and cyclist counters can be reviewed and downloaded from the City of Edmonton open data portal. The recording interval is 15 minutes.
Automated Traffic Recorder (ATR)
A dual-inductive loop-based permanent device that measures the direction of flow, traffic speed, vehicle classification and other crucial variables. The recording interval is 5 minutes. Currently, these devices are installed at six locations:
- 23 Avenue, west of 119 Street
- 75 Street, north of 86 Avenue
- 153 Avenue, west of 66 Street
- 178 Street, north of 95 Avenue
- Ellerslie Road, west of 85 Street
- Groat Bridge
