Road Safety and Traffic Management
The City of Whitehorse strives to develop, operate, and maintain an accessible, equitable, safe, and sustainable transportation network for all modes of transportation, ages, abilities, and seasons.
Road safety and traffic management is managed by many levels of government and governments cooperate to advance areas of mutual interest.
The City of Whitehorse is responsible for road safety and traffic management as it specifically relates to the City’s policies, programs, and infrastructure under its jurisdiction. Where the City has limited authority and jurisdiction, the City regularly collaborates with partnering organizations and government agencies (e.g. Government of Yukon, Yukon RCMP) to deliver initiatives and projects of mutual interest and influence.
The City of Whitehorse is responsible for the following:
- Design, operations and maintenance of the transportation network.
- Development of City-specific transportation policies and bylaws.
- Road safety, traffic management, temporary street use, and traffic operations.
- Enforcement of parking violations.
The Yukon RCMP is responsible for traffic enforcement within the City.
The Government of Yukon’s Department of Highways and Public Works is responsible for territorial transportation legislation and regulation, vehicle licensing, road safety education, and road user education. They are also responsible for the Alaska Highway Corridor through Whitehorse.
Crosswalks
(Marked) crosswalks are a traffic control device used to alert drivers to areas with high pedestrian crossing activity and facilitate safer passage of pedestrians crossing the street. Not every location with pedestrian crossing activity is a candidate location for a marked crosswalk as many factors need to be considered including but not limited to driver expectancy, proximity of marked crosswalks, and local context.
There are three types of (marked) crosswalk systems:
- Passive crossing treatment system: consists only of signs and pavement markings.
- Active crossing treatment system: consists of signs, pavement markings, and pedestrian-activated warning devices such as flashing beacons.
- Traffic signal system: consists of signage, pavement markings, and pedestrian-activated traffic signals.
(Marked) crosswalks are typically installed in locations with:
- Insufficient gaps in traffic for safe pedestrian crossing.
- High pedestrian crossing volumes.
- High concentration of vulnerable road users (e.g., children, seniors, people with disabilities) and/or historically marginalized peoples (e.g., low-income persons)
Crossrides
Crossrides (City of North Vancouver, 2023)
A crossride (also called elephant’s feet markings) are dots that are parallel to crosswalk markings that tell cyclists they do not need to dismount when crossing an intersection. Crossrides are mostly found at areas where bicycles use City streets such as multi-use pathway and bicycle lane intersection crossings.
Pedestrians should watch for crossrides so they do not accidentally walk in a crossride area. Cyclists should always yield to pedestrians, slow down and only cross when it’s safe. Motorists should watch for crossrides, slow down and yield to anyone using the crossing.
Marked crossrides are typically installed in locations with:
- High cycling crossing volumes.
- Multi-use pathways intersection crossings.
- Bike lane intersection crossings.
Separated crossride (left) and crosswalk (right) at a signalized intersection (City of Sudbury, 2023)
The City of Whitehorse, in collaboration with partner organizations and government agencies, have several ongoing road safety programs to raise awareness and improve road safety throughout the city.
Speed Radar Trailer Program
Speed radar trailer (Adaptive Displays, 2023)
The City has a speed radar trailer that can be placed on local, minor, and major streets to alert drivers about the speed limit and help reduce speeding.
Speed Radar Trailer Schedule
| Date | Location | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
|
First two weeks after Christmas Break |
School Zones | N/A | N/A |
| First two weeks after Spring Break | School Zones | N/A | N/A |
| First two weeks after Summer Break | School Zones | N/A | N/A |
Neighbourhood Street Sign and Pace Car Program
The Neighbourhood Street Sign and Pace Car Program is how Whitehorse residents can show other drivers they’re taking a stand against speeding. Each toolkit comes with:
- a lawn sign you can place in your front yard to remind drivers to slow down and drive safely; and
- a window decal for your vehicle.
Be the change on our roads and follow all the road rules and speeds. Let’s drive right every trip and show them how it’s done.
This campaign is a partnership between the City of Whitehorse, the RCMP and the Government of Yukon.
Click here to learn more about this initiative.
School Zone Road Safety Campaign 2022-2023
The School Zone Road Safety Campaign 2022-2023 is a collaboration between ATCO Electric Yukon, the Government of Yukon, and Yukon RCMP with the goal of raising awareness about road safety in school zones. The goal is to enhance school traffic safety by providing additional visual indicators that let you know you’re driving in a school zone. This will be done by placing blue boxes around streetlights in designated school zones.
Click here to learn more about this initiative.
The City of Whitehorse installs and maintains signage and pavement markings on City streets to inform road users about rules of the road, regulations, potential hazards, temporary conditions, construction, and guidance and wayfinding.
Standards
The City of Whitehorse installs and maintains signage, pavement markings and other traffic control devices as per the TAC Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada (Transportation Association of Canada) standards, TAC guidance, and City of Whitehorse Engineering Standards.
All signage and pavement markings installed on City streets require approval by the City Engineer and the City Manager.
Pavement Markings Program
The Fleet and Transportation Maintenance Department reinstates pavement markings each year. Typically, longitudinal pavement markings are implemented earlier in the summer season (May) and transverse and other pavement markings (crosswalks) are implemented afterwards and throughout the summer season.
Painted Curbs and Medians
The City does not paint curbs and medians to indicate traffic regulations (e.g. parking regulations) except in the following locations/circumstances:
- The nose of medians to aid drivers and maintenance operators in identifying raised directional divisions in traffic.
- Crosswalks & crossrides with reported safety concerns validated by an engineering study.
- Locations where installing signage is practically unfeasible or would cause adverse impacts to other road users (e.g. clear width available for people with mobility devices).
- Locations where the traffic bylaw and signage cannot adequately communicate traffic regulations.
Speed limits for all streets in the City are shown in the Traffic Bylaw.
The City periodically reviews speed limits across the City to improve safety and ensure that speed limits match the surrounding context. Speed limits on City streets are determined by the City by considering an array of factors such as:
- Standards and guidance
- Street classification (local, collector, arterial)
- Adjacent land use (e.g. urban, rural)
- Level of activity and conflict
- Concentration of vulnerable road users
- Local context
Changes to speed limits require revisions to the Traffic Bylaw. As such, the City is not considering localized changes to speed limits at this time.
School Zones
The City implements school zones to reduce driver speeds and improve safety for vulnerable road users such as children at or near schools. Motorists should always watch for children and be aware of children near schools.
At schools that have school zone signage, the speed limit is 30 km/hr. The playground zone starts at the “start of the school zone” sign and ends either at 1) the “end of school zone” sign, 2) back of the school zone sign in the opposite direction, 3) or at the reinstatement of the prior speed limit.
Playground Zones
The City implements playground zones to reduce driver speeds and improve safety for vulnerable road users such as children at or near playgrounds. Motorists should always watch for children and be aware of children near playgrounds.
At playgrounds that have playground zone signage, the speed limit is 30 km/hr. The playground zone starts at the “start of the playground zone” sign and ends either at 1) the “end of playground zone” sign, 2) back of the playground zone sign in the opposite direction, 3) or at the reinstatement of the prior speed limit.
Apply for a Street Occupancy Permit
The City manages street use and street occupancy for things like construction, partial or full street closures, parades, festivals, and protests. A street occupancy permit requires approval by the City Engineer.
Street Occupancy Permit Application
Construction
The City of Whitehorse has a short and intense construction season with much of our essential construction work happening during our summer construction months. The City and contractors strive to manage safety and traffic to protect all road users, construction workers, the general public, and minimize overall traffic disruptions.
Contractors wishing to use the street for construction purposes require a Street Occupancy Permit. A street occupancy permit requires approval by the City Engineer.
Click here to learn more about our ongoing construction projects, upcoming road work and street closures.
Oversize/Overweight Vehicles
Carriers shipping oversize and overweight vehicles through the City of Whitehorse require a Street Occupancy Permit. A street occupancy permit requires approval by the City Engineer.
Parades, Festivals, and Protests
Parades, festivals, and/or protests on City streets require a Street Occupancy Permit. A street occupancy permit requires approval by the City Engineer.
The Yukon RCMP is responsible for traffic enforcement. Click here for more information about the Yukon RCMP.
The City does not conduct enforcement of moving traffic (e.g., speeding, red light running)
Evaluation and Monitoring
The City of Whitehorse regularly monitors and evaluates key performance indicators for the transportation network including but not limited to level of service (LOS), road safety, traffic volumes, and traffic speeds.
Traffic Data Collection
There are limited private traffic data collection services available in Whitehorse and throughout the Yukon. As such, select traffic data may be obtained through the City of Whitehorse or other third-party data providers. The City has equipment to collect screenline and turning movement counts using automated data collection devices.
The City can provide data collection services (labour, materials, set up) and provide raw, unadjusted data at cost upon request. In exchange for provision of new traffic data, the City obtains the data as per its requirements and retains ultimate ownership of the data.
Click here to request traffic data.
Traffic signals are a traffic control device used to manage the safe movement of road users including pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and vehicles. Traffic signals may be installed for safety, operational, physical, strategic, and special considerations.
The City of Whitehorse installs, operates, and maintains traffic signals within the City, except those on the Alaska Highway through Whitehorse.
The Government of Yukon’s Department of Highways and Public Works installs, operates, and maintains traffic signals along the Alaska Highway through Whitehorse.
Upcoming Traffic Signal Changes
| Location | Date | Description of Changes |
|---|---|---|
| All traffic signals | February-March 2023 | Signal timing updates |
Eligibility and Criteria for Installation
The City periodically reviews intersections to identify the need for traffic signalization and improvements. Traffic signals may be warranted when any of the following conditions are met:
- History of collisions between road users.
- High pedestrian volumes across an intersection with insufficient gaps for safe pedestrian crossing movements.
- High through or left turn volumes from a minor approach at a major-minor intersection with insufficient gaps for safe vehicular movement.
Traffic Signal Operations
Traffic signals are programmed to facilitate the safe and efficient flow of traffic and minimize conflicts between all road users. The City periodically reviews traffic signal timing and programming for all signals to ensure that the traffic signals meet the ever-changing and dynamic needs of traffic.
Our traffic signals operate by assigning the right-of-way to different traffic movements. Each phase includes the green, amber and red time assigned to a specific traffic movement. The cycle length is the total time it takes to serve each phase. Increasing the cycle length improves the intersection capacity by providing longer continuous green time, but also increases the average delay for vehicles waiting at the intersection.
Types of Traffic Signal Operations
The City uses three types of signal operations:
- Fixed time: there are no pedestrian or vehicle detectors. The time given to each phase is preset and independent of vehicle volumes and demand.
- Semi-actuated: there are pedestrian and vehicle detectors along the minor street only. When there is low demand, the minor street phases are able to end early or be skipped entirely when no vehicles are present. Excess time is transferred to the major street phase. Pedestrians crossing the minor street will be served each cycle, while crossings of the major street will only be served by using the pedestrian pushbuttons.
- Fully-actuated: there are pedestrian and vehicle detectors for all directions of travel. Phases are served, extended, or end early depending on traffic demand. Pedestrians will only be served when the pushbuttons are used.
Traffic signal timing and programming is prepared by modelling existing and projected traffic demands and optimizing traffic flow using industry traffic modelling software. Traffic signal modelling and timing is usually conducted by a civil engineer with specialized expertise in traffic operations.
Timing Plans
Different timing plans are often used throughout the day to reflect changing traffic conditions. At most intersections, morning and afternoon plans accommodate both rush hour periods, while a non-peak plan for the remainder of the day. Traffic signals in Whitehorse are typically programmed for the following times:
- Weekday
- Morning traffic peak hour (07:00-09:00, Monday-Friday)
- Mid-day traffic peak hour (11:00-13:00, Monday-Friday)
- Afternoon traffic peak hour (15:00-18:00, Monday-Friday)
- Weekend
- Mid-day traffic peak hour (11:00-13:00, Saturday)
- All other times
Pedestrian Phasing
The pedestrian walk interval indicates that pedestrians at an intersection may cross the street. The pedestrian walk interval is usually indicated by a white human symbol on a pedestrian signal head.
The pedestrian clearance interval indicates that pedestrians at an intersection may not cross the street as the traffic signal will change to the opposing direction. The pedestrian clearance interval is usually indicated by a red flashing hand symbol on the pedestrian signal head. The pedestrian clearance interval is timed to allow pedestrians of all ages and abilities to safely finish crossing the intersection before the onset of conflicting traffic flow.
Vehicular phasing
The green interval indicates that a vehicle may proceed in the direction of travel flow. The amount of green time allocated to a particular phase depends on a variety of factors such as location, time of day, traffic signal operation, current traffic demand, and traffic analysis and modelling.
Emergency Vehicle Priority and Pre-Emption
Traffic signals in the City are equipped with acoustic pre-emption devices. Acoustic pre-emption devices are devices fixed on traffic signal arms to aid emergency response vehicles in responding to a call. When the device hears the sound of an emergency siren, the device will send a call to the traffic signal in the direction of an oncoming emergency vehicle.
Left Turn Phasing
Accommodating left turns in the transportation network can be difficult as it has the highest conflict potential. Installation of left turn phasing may be required in special cases to facilitate safe and efficient left turn traffic, however, often increases the overall cycle length and delay for all road users at an intersection.
No Right Turn on Red
Some signalized intersections in the City have no right turn on red to minimize conflicts between right turning vehicles and pedestrians and cyclists.
Turn Restrictions
Turn restrictions may be implemented at locations to improve the safety and efficiency of traffic.
Flashing Signals
Occasionally, traffic signals malfunction and/or experience power outages.
- If the traffic light is flashing red, treat it like a stop sign.
- If the traffic light is flashing yellow, treat it like a yield sign.
Power Outage
At older traffic signals in the City, lights may not be illuminated in a power outage. If no lights are illuminated, drivers should treat the intersection like a four-way stop.
Detection
Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection
At intersections requiring pedestrian detection, pedestrians are detected by pushbuttons installed on the traffic signal.
At intersections requiring bicycle detection, bicycles are detected by bicycle-friendly pushbuttons installed on a separate pole away from the main traffic signal pole.
Vehicle Detection
At intersections requiring vehicular detection, vehicles are typically detected by electromagnetic induction loops. Electromagnetic induction loops are located within in the pavement surface behind the stop bar on an intersection approach. When an electromagnetic induction loop detects a high concentration of metal, the loop sends a call to the traffic signal.
Smaller vehicles may not always be detected by a traffic signal due to the low volume and concentration of steel. This may include motorcycles, bicycles, e-bikes, etc.
Become a Traffic Operations Engineer
Have you ever wanted to try being a traffic engineer? Have you ever wanted to try solving traffic problems?
Click here to play the Gridlock Buster Traffic Control Game to learn about traffic signal timing and programming.
Infrastructure and Maintenance
Submit a Request
The decision to change an existing sign may require an engineering study and is ultimately at the discretion of the City. To request a change to an existing sign:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
Eligibility and Criteria for Installation
It is the City’s policy not to paint curbs or medians to indicate traffic regulations (e.g. parking regulations) except in the following locations/circumstances:
- The nose of medians to aid drivers and maintenance operators in identifying raised directional divisions in traffic.
- Crosswalks & crossrides with reported safety concerns validated by and engineering study.
- Locations where installing signage is practically unfeasible or would cause adverse impacts to other road users (e.g. clear width available for people with mobility devices).
- Locations where the traffic bylaw and signage cannot adequately communicate traffic regulations.
The City does not paint curbs or medians to indicate traffic regulations (except in the above circumstances) for the following reasons:
- The City adheres to the Transportation Association of Canada – Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada (MUTCDC) for design guidance of traffic control devices. Painted curbs and medians are not recognized by the national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as an authorized pavement marking treatment or traffic control device and are considered discretionary to the transportation authority having jurisdiction.
- The Transportation Association of Canada – Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada (MUTCDC) indicates that pavement markings should not be used independently of signage to communicate traffic regulations.
- Traffic regulations should be communicated through a hierarchy of controls with the most common traffic regulations communicated through policy and location specific traffic regulations communicated through signage and pavement markings. The hierarchy of controls for traffic regulations is Yukon Motor Vehicle Act, City of Whitehorse Traffic Bylaw, and location-specific signage and pavement markings.
- Relying exclusively on painted curbs and medians as a primary means to communicating traffic regulations is unreliable in winter if curbs and medians are covered in snow.
- Many cities across North America do not paint curbs or medians or only paint curbs or medians in exceptional circumstances.
- Painting curbs and medians requires a high level of effort from City staff to ensure that the paint is visible, applied where the regulations are intended, and is consistently applied across the whole City.
Submit a Request
The decision to paint curbs or medians should be based on an engineering study and is ultimately at the discretion of the City. To request painted curbs or medians:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
We know that pushbuttons are essential to aid pedestrians and people with visual impairments in using our transportation network.
Contact Us
Click here to report a broken/malfunctioning pushbutton.
Contact Us
If you observe a broken/malfunctioning traffic signal, please contact our After-Hours Trouble Line at 867-667-2111.
Contact Us
Click here to report a missing/broken sign.
We know how unsafe potholes can be for people walking or cycling or how jarring it can be to have earth-shattering vibration in your car. If you discover a pothole on our streets or pathways, please contact us to let us know.
Learn More
Click here to learn more about street maintenance.
Contact Us
Report a pothole by calling our 24-hour Road Maintenance Control Centre at 867-633-7669. Alternatively, click here to report a pothole.
Learn More
Click here to learn more about street maintenance and street sweeping.
Contact Us
Click here to report concerns with street sweeping.
Learn More
Click here for more information about winter maintenance.
Contact Us
Click here to report concerns with winter maintenance.
Road Safety/Traffic
Eligibility and Criteria for Installation
(Marked) crosswalks are typically installed in locations with:
- Insufficient gaps in traffic for safe pedestrian crossing.
- High pedestrian crossing volumes.
- High concentration of vulnerable road users (children, elderly road users).
Marked crosswalks are not typically installed in locations with:
- Existing pedestrian crossing control nearby.
Marked crossrides are typically installed in locations with:
- High cycling crossing volumes.
- Multi-use pathways intersection crossings.
- Bike lane intersection crossings.
Submit a Request
The decision to install a crosswalk/crossride should be based on an engineering study and is ultimately at the discretion of the City. To request a crosswalk/crossride:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
It is the City’s policy not to install warning signage for children at play due to their ineffectiveness and cost. These include but are not limited to signs with the following messages:
- “Children at Play”
- “Slow, Children Playing”
The City does not install these types of warning signs for the following reasons:
- The City adheres to the Transportation Association of Canada – Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada (MUTCDC) for design guidance of traffic control devices. These signs are not recognized by the national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as an authorized sign.
- These signs (or any variation) are only advisory and are not enforceable.
- Advisory or warning signage are only used for warning drivers of unusual, or temporary road conditions or features on or adjacent to the street that are regularly observed. The presence of children on or adjacent to a street may not be regularly observed, nor is an unusual, or temporary road condition or feature which may lead to driver non-compliance.
- Use of the signage in some places and not others may imply to drivers that children are only present where the signage exists.
- Installation of these signs would imply a precedent for the signage to be installed in every neighbourhood since the majority of neighbourhoods have children. The proliferation of such signage would further reduce the value and meaning of such signage.
- The use of warning signs should be kept to a minimum as the unnecessary use of warning signs tends to breed disrespect for all signs.
- Research in several North American jurisdictions has proven that these signs do not reduce pedestrian collisions or lower vehicle speeds.
- These signs can promote a false sense of security to both children and parents/guardians who assume that motorists will be watching out for them or encourage children to play on City roadways, which could result in the City assuming liability for child safety with respect to children playing on roadways.
- Such signs do not provide physical protection for children. There is no substitute for proper supervision and education of children with respect to traffic safety.
- Similar signage should only be considered for designated playground zones with proper regulatory measures in place.
It is the City’s policy not to install warning signage for children with disabilities due to their ineffectiveness and cost. These include but are not limited to signs with the following messages:
- “Deaf Child”
- “Deaf Child in Area”
- “Autistic Child”
- “Autistic Child in Area”
The City does not install these types of warning signs for the following reasons:
- The City adheres to the Transportation Association of Canada – Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada (MUTCDC) for design guidance of traffic control devices. These signs are not recognized by the national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as an authorized sign.
- These signs (or any variation) are only advisory and are not enforceable.
- Advisory or warning signage are only used for warning drivers of unusual, or temporary road conditions or features on or adjacent to the street that are regularly observed. The presence of children on or adjacent to a street may not be regularly observed, nor is an unusual, or temporary road condition or feature which may lead to driver non-compliance.
- Use of the signage in some places and not others may imply to drivers that children with disabilities are only present where the signage exists.
- Installation of these signs would imply a precedent for the signage to be installed in each location where a child with disabilities resides. The proliferation of such signage would further reduce the value and meaning of such signage. It would also require extensive tracking by the City to ensure that children with disabilities continue to reside at the locations where the signage is installed so as not to provide false messaging to road users when residents move.
- The use of warning signs should be kept to a minimum as the unnecessary use of warning signs tends to breed disrespect for all signs.
- Research in several North American jurisdictions has proven that these signs do not reduce pedestrian collisions or lower vehicle speeds.
- These signs can promote a false sense of security to both children and parents/guardians who assume that motorists will be watching out for them or encourage children with disabilities to play on City streets, which could result in the City assuming liability for child safety with respect to children playing on streets.
- Such signs do not provide physical protection for children with disabilities. There is no substitute for proper supervision and education of children with disabilities with respect to traffic safety.
- Similar signage should only be considered for designated playground zones with proper regulatory measures in place.
The City periodically reviews speed limits across the City. As such, the City is not considering one-off or localized requests to change the speed limit at this time except within potential school or playground zones or areas.
Left turns can be difficult to accommodate in the transportation network because left turns have the highest conflict potential. Implementation of left turn phasing may help alleviate traffic delay for left turning vehicles however can often result in increased delay for all road users at an intersection.
Eligibility and Criteria for Installation
Left turn signal phasing may be considered at traffic signals with:
- High left turn volumes, demand and insufficient gaps in opposing through traffic.
- High left turn and pedestrian/cyclists conflicts.
- History of left turn collisions.
Submit a Request
The decision to implement left turn signal phasing should be based on an engineering study and is ultimately at the discretion of the City. To request left turn signal phasing:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
Missing Stop Sign
If your concern relates to a missing stop sign, please contact us.
All-Way Stop Control
If your concern relates to converting an intersection to an all-way stop, we need to review your request and evaluate whether the intersection is a good candidate for all-way stop control.
Eligibility and Criteria for Installation
All-way stop controls should not be used under the following conditions, or for the following reasons:
- On streets where progressive signal timing exists,
- As a speed control device,
- As a means of deterring the movement of through traffic in a residential area,
- At intersections that are not roundabouts having less than three or more than four approaches,
- On multi-lane approaches where a parked or stopped vehicle on the right will obscure the Stop sign,
- Where traffic would be required to stop on grades,
- Where visibility of signs is hampered by curves or grades, and insufficient safe stopping distance exists,
- Where any other traffic controlling right-of-way is permanently in place within 250 m, with the exception of a Yield sign,
- Where the protection of pedestrians or other vulnerable road users is a prime concern and the concern would be more effectively addressed by other means.
All-way stop control may be justified under one or more of the following conditions:
- Where the traffic volumes on the intersecting streets are approximately equal and the combined pedestrian and vehicular volumes on the minor road average 200 per hour for an eight-hour period,
- Where the average delay to the minor road vehicular traffic entering the intersection exceeds 30 seconds per vehicle during the peak hour,
- Where traffic signals are not warranted, and a collision problem has been identified by a statistical methodology that indicates that a location is operating with below average safety compared to similar intersections. If no statistical analysis is available, a threshold of five collisions per year over a three-year period (or an alternative frequency approved by local policy), of a type susceptible to prevention by the implementation of an all-way Stop should be used. Such collisions typically include right- and left-turn collisions as well as right-angle collisions,
- As an interim measure prior to the installation of traffic signals,
- As an interim measure, for a period of approximately one month prior to switching the stop control from one road to an intersecting road, and the subsequent removal of existing Stop signs on the first road.
Submit a Request
The decision to install all-way stop control should be based on an engineering study and is ultimately at the discretion of the City. To request stop signs/all-way stop:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
Eligibility and Criteria for Installation
The speed radar trailer may be placed on any street subject to the following criteria and conditions:
Location and Repeat Requests
To ensure that the speed radar trailer is equitably and fairly distributed among residents and across the City, the speed radar trailer shall not be placed in the same location once per calendar year.
Placement
The speed radar trailer can only be placed on a street provided there is still sufficient space for two-way traffic. The speed radar trailer may not impede sidewalks, marked bike lanes, maintenance, or emergency response.
Time Period
The speed radar shall be placed at a location for no longer or shorter than one week.
Schedule
The speed radar trailer is reserved for school zones for the first two weeks following the start of school sessions each year (September, January, March). The speed radar trailer may be requested by residents for weeks outside of these times.
Submit a Request
To request the speed radar trailer:
- Submit your Speed Radar Trailer Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a request. Please provide as much detail about your request including street, block, and a summary of why you would like the speed radar trailer on your street. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your request and conduct an assessment and evaluation of the location. City staff will evaluate whether the street is a good candidate for the speed radar trailer and if there is a suitable location on the street to place the speed radar trailer. - Response/Follow Up
City staff will follow up with you to let you know if your request has been accepted. - Scheduling
If your request has been accepted, City staff will add your street to the schedule and will inform you of the approximate timing of the speed radar trailer. - Implementation
City staff will bring the speed radar trailer to your street for a period not exceeding one week.
Submit a Request
If your concern relates to “moving” traffic violations (e.g., speeding, red-light running) please contact the Yukon RCMP.
If your concern relates to “non-moving” traffic violations (e.g., illegal parking) and illegal use on pathways (e.g., motorized use on pathways), please contact the City of Whitehorse, Bylaw Services Department.
Eligibility and Criteria for Installation
Turn restrictions are typically implemented in locations with:
- High conflicts between turning vehicles and other road users (pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles).
- History of collisions associated with the turning movement.
- Major traffic impacts associated with the turning movement.
- Dangerous driving behaviour associated with the turning movement.
Submit a Request
The decision to implement turn restrictions (“No Right Turn” sign, “No Right Turn on Red” sign, “No Left Turn” sign, etc.) should be based on an engineering study and is ultimately at the discretion of the City. To request turn restrictions:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
We are sorry to learn about your near-miss or collision. The City of Whitehorse strives to develop, operate, and maintain an accessible, equitable, safe, and sustainable transportation network and work towards eliminating all injuries and fatalities on our streets.
Our engineers and planners in transportation and road safety appreciate any and all information (as much as you are willing to share) about the nature and cause of all traffic near-misses and collisions. This information helps us identify issues and opportunities for ongoing and upcoming transportation projects.
Report a Near-miss or Collision to the City
Click here to report a near-miss or collision to the City.
Report a Near-miss or Collision on BikeMaps.org
In addition to reporting a near-miss or collision to the City, we encourage people who use cycling as a mode of transportation to also report issues on BikeMaps.org.
BikeMaps.org is a crowdsourced tool for global mapping of cycling safety. Our engineers and planners often refer to BikeMaps.org to identify issues and opportunities relating to active transportation for ongoing and upcoming transportation projects.
Click here to report a near-miss or collision on BikeMaps.org.
Report a Concern
Concerns with a crosswalk/crossride should be validated through an engineering study. To report concerns with a crosswalk/crossride:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
Learn More
Click here to learn more about our construction projects and view all street/road closures.
Report a Concern
Construction conditions change rapidly. To report concerns with construction traffic safety and/or construction traffic management, please contact us at the City General Inquiry Line at 867-667-6401 and ask for the project manager.
Report a Concern
If your concern relates to speeding, your first point of contact should be the Yukon RCMP.
Concerns with excessive speeding should be validated through an engineering study. To report concerns with speeding:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
What is Traffic Shortcutting?
Traffic shortcutting occurs when drivers deviate from arterial roads and use local or collector roads as alternate routes to move between destinations. The driver has no origin or destination within a neighbourhood, but uses the route through the neighbourhood as a means to get to his or her destination.
Traffic shortcutting itself is not illegal, but some of the associated behaviors often accompanying traffic shortcutting are illegal. Drivers’ primary intention in shortcutting is to save time. As such, speeding is not uncommon by drivers who shortcut through neighbourhoods. Additionally, drivers may fail to properly yield or stop at intersections in a further attempt to save time. As traffic shortcutting routes become known to drivers, the traffic volume along these routes can increase significantly.
Report a Concern
Concerns with shortcutting/cut-through traffic should be validated through an engineering study. To report concerns with shortcutting/cut-through traffic:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
Report a Concern
Concerns with sightlines/line of sight obstruction should be validated through an engineering study. To report concerns with sightlines/line of sight obstruction:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
The City strives to minimize the impacts of traffic where reasonable and feasible.
Traffic is a normal part of any growing City like our own. Our daily and routine individual and collective choices all have a part to play in traffic when we choose to use the transportation network at the same time as everyone else.
Consider ways in which you reduce your need to drive if you are able to. Walking, cycling, taking transit, or carpooling can be effective and efficient ways of moving people, minimizing traffic, and are a healthy and sustainable way to move around. Alternatively, shifting your commuting times by 15 minutes earlier or later can result in a significant difference in terms of traffic and travel delay.
Report a Concern
Concerns with traffic should be validated through an engineering study. To report concerns with traffic:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
Report a Concern
Concerns with traffic signal timing should be validated through an engineering study. To report concerns with traffic signal timing:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
Report a Concern
Concerns with unsafe parking behaviour should be validated through an engineering study. To report concerns with unsafe parking behaviour:
- Submit your Concern/Request to the City
Contact the City to submit a concern/request. Please provide as much detail about your concern/request. - Identification and Confirmation of Concern/Request
City staff will reach out to you to confirm the details of your concern/request. - Assessment and Evaluation
City staff will review all the details of your concern/request and conduct an assessment and evaluation. At the City’s discretion, City staff may initiate data collection, conduct a site visit to understand existing conditions, or consult City Departments and other government agencies to obtain feedback on the concern/request. Depending on the scope and complexity of the concern/request, City staff may need to request additional time and funding which may delay assessment and evaluation of the request. - City Response and Recommendations
City staff will provide an informed response (usually in letter or technical memorandum format) with potential recommendations to address the concern/request or details, information on how the concern/request will be addressed and acted upon, or rationale on why no City action is required. Depending on the recommendations requiring later action by the City, City staff may need to follow-up with you on your concern/request. - Implementation
Depending on City operational and human resource capacity and the scope and complexity of the recommendations, the City will consider options for implementation. If the scope of recommendations are deemed small and materially insignificant, the City will make best and reasonable efforts to conduct implementation in the following construction season. If the scope of required improvements are deemed large and materially significant, the City may defer implementation to an existing program or project or prepare a standalone budget request as a part of the City’s annual budgeting process subject to Council approval.
Road Closures and Construction
Learn More
Click here to learn more about our construction projects and view all street/road closures.
Learn More
Click here to learn more about our construction projects and view all street/road closures.
Report a Concern
Construction conditions change rapidly. To report concerns with construction traffic safety and/or construction traffic management, please contact us at the City General Inquiry Line at 867-667-6401 and ask for the project manager.
Learn More
Click here to learn more about our construction projects and view all street/road closures.
Traffic Monitoring & Evaluation
Submit a Request
Click here to request transportation/traffic data from the City of Whitehorse.