RCMP and Enforcement Services regularly patrol the community to increase driver awareness and compliance.
On this page
Intersection Safety Devices (red light/speed on green cameras)
Strathcona County uses many tools to improve intersection safety. An Intersection Safety Device (ISD) is considered when red light and speed infractions are resulting in collisions.
This video, captured by ISDs in Sherwood Park, shows examples of unsafe driver behaviours in our community (note the failures to make a complete stop at the red light, before turning right):
Red Light? Turning Right? Make a full stop before you turn. It’s the law.
Be sure to stop fully and ensure it is safe to proceed, before entering the crosswalk area. This video shows how to properly negotiate a right turn on a red light:
Violations
Registered vehicle owners may receive violation ticket(s) when:
- Entering the intersection when the light is red,
- Exceeding the posted speed limit, and/or
- Failing to come to a complete stop at a red light before turning right (camera-detected violation tickets issued for this infraction were discontinued at the Granada and Sherwood Drive intersection as per direction as of 12:01 a.m. on April 16, 2022. Note: in-person tickets may still be issued by on-site officers).
Regulation
Provincial
In Alberta, the Solicitor General provides very specific guidelines for automated enforcement use and evaluation requirements. Automated Traffic Enforcement Guideline (alberta.ca)
In the County
Strathcona County has developed additional measures to ensure ISDs in our community are safety-focused, transparent and accountable. These guidelines define a more rigorous site selection process and evaluation process.
Site selection
ISDs are only one tool to improve intersection safety. When a high collision location is identified, a full review done to identify all potential actions that can improve safety, according to the Strathcona County's Intersection Safety Action Plan (1.8 MB)
For detailed information, read:Â Safety Device (ISD) Program Guidelines for ISD use in Strathcona County. (513.8Â KB) Â
Evaluation
The Solicitor General Strathcona requires a full audit of the County’s ISD program every three years to ensure compliance with provincial regulation.
Further to Solicitor General requirements, Strathcona County monitors collision trends and violation statistics at all ISD locations to ensure ISDs are having the desired safety benefit.
ISD Strategy Strathcona County – Annual Reporting
Red Light Camera / Intersection Speed Cameras
Intersection Safety Devices (ISDs) are an important and effective tool to enhance traffic safety as well as reduce the likelihood and severity of injury and fatal collisions. Strathcona County applies ISDs in appropriate circumstances and follows the Province of Alberta’s Automated Traffic Enforcement Technology Guidelines and the Automated Traffic Enforcement Training Guidelines. Enforcement Services and the RCMP work in partnership with the Traffic Safety Advisory Team and Transportation Engineering and Operations to maintain accurate and efficient site selection as well as researching the data to ensure enforcement efforts are coordinated effectively.
ISD Evaluation report 2019-2020 (11.6Â MB)
Intersection Safety Devices are one tool, coupled with intersection enforcement by members of the RCMP and Enforcement Services Community Peace Officers. Strathcona County also utilizes many engineering and education tools that are continually being evaluated to improve intersection safety across our network. Each component contributing to safer roadways.
There are several benefits to the use of ATE over conventional enforcement. ISD’s monitor poor driving behaviours at high traffic volume locations 24 hours a day 7 days a week. They have minimal impact or traffic disruptions compared to manned enforcement thus reducing the risks to other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. ISD’s are not used as a replacement for manned enforcement and are supplementary to reducing collisions. Read more about how speed can be the difference between a fender bender and a fatality. (1.3 MB)
2022 Collision history at ISD locations (42.9Â KB)
Strathcona County uses Intersection Safety Devices (ISDs) at several major intersections:
- Wye Road and Ordze Road (westbound)
- Wye Road and Brentwood Boulevard (east and westbound)
- Wye Road and Clover Bar Road (eastbound)
- Baseline Road and Broadmoor Boulevard (westbound)
- Baseline Road and Sherwood Drive (west and southbound)
- Baseline Road and Clover Bar Road (westbound)
- Sherwood Drive and Fir Street (southbound)
- Sherwood Drive and Granada Boulevard/Festival Way (north, south and westbound)
- Baseline Road and 17 Street (east and westbound)
A key element to the success of any enforcement practice including the use of ISD’s, is the implementation of a strong public awareness campaign. Permanent signs are installed on all primary access roads entering Strathcona County as well in advance of each intersection monitored by ISD in all four directions. Strathcona County has created an ISD webpage on the County website to build awareness and present best practice research to help residents understand the vision of safety. The website also contains the site selection criteria for each ISD location.
ISD’s include red-light cameras that take photographs of license plates entering intersections against a red traffic signal. In addition, the cameras capture the speed of vehicles travelling through the intersection regardless of the colour of the light.
Intersection violations captured by the cameras are issued through the mail to the registered owner of the vehicle. The images captured show the rear license plate of the vehicle and not the driver or its occupants. No demerit points are associated to violations received.
Revenue
Revenues directed to Strathcona County from ISD violations are used to support actions listed in the Strategic Traffic Enforcement Plan 2023 (485.7 KB)
Questions about automated red light and speed detection cameras
RCMP and Enforcement Services
780-467-7741
911 Bison Way Sherwood Park, Alberta T8H 1S9
