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City officials used artificial intelligence to map the locations of the 50 intersections that could be the most risky for Calgary pedestrians.
A report set to be discussed at council’s community development committee Tuesday lists the top intersections flagged as high risk. It also makes suggestions as to how they could be made safer, including how much that would cost.
The AI software sifted through more than 17,000 intersections across the city that do not have existing traffic signals or flashing overhead lights or beacons.
It then gave them a score from zero (low risk) to 100 (highest risk.) The top 50 all scored 93 or higher.
From there, city officials reviewed the locations that AI identified, and assessed possible fixes and price tags.
The report proposes changes for 26 of the 50 locations. In some cases, data errors were identified, so no proposals were made; in others, safety improvements are already in the works.
The highest-risk intersection listed is Martindale Boulevard and Martindale Gate N.E., coming in with a score of 99.02. Curb extensions are recommended, at a cost of $160,000.
Falshire Drive and Falton Drive N.E. could use a roundabout to improve its 98.54 score, according to the report. Doing so would cost $300,000.
A traffic signal would boost safety at 17th Avenue and 17th Street S.W., while 26th Avenue and Second Street S.W. could do with a raised crosswalk, the city suggests.
The report says many of the identified intersections don’t currently meet the threshold of traffic volume that would usually warrant a flashing light.
“With additional funding, administration could proactively advance improvements at these locations rather than waiting for future traffic counts, warrant studies, or collision history to justify intervention under traditional processes,” the report said.
Altogether, the proposed upgrades total $6 million, but city council would need to approve the funding.
Eight of the intersections on the list are in Coun. Raj Dhaliwal’s ward, including the top two ranked as high risk.
With a risk score of 96.86, the report highlights 17th Avenue and 17th Street S.W. as an intersection that could use a traffic signal. City officials estimate putting one in would cost $475,000. (Jennifer Keiller/CBC)
“Our office is getting emails, pretty much three to four to five emails a day about certain intersections that are dangerous. So I’m not surprised at all to be honest,” he told the CBC’s Calgary Eyeopener on Monday.
He said the next step will be to dig deep into the data to better understand the findings.
Advocate says reducing vehicle speeds should be priority
One transportation advocate calls the findings “interesting,” but says the suggested safety improvements, while helpful, do not get to the heart of the biggest issue on the road.
“The biggest, easiest thing that the city could do to reduce pedestrian deaths is to reduce speeds,” said Laura Shutiak, executive director of Youth En Route.
“If they really wanted to use data-driven decision making, let’s follow the data.”
Shutiak’s organization works with Calgary high schools to encourage students to travel by bike, including teaching them how to ride, and providing free bicycles.
She said there are a number of busy crossings she was surprised to see absent from the list, particularly some near schools.
Those are spots that can be complex, she says, with high volumes of student foot traffic.
“Design changes are important because then it lets kids be kids and it forces the drivers to take responsibilities for their actions,” she said.
WATCH | Extreme-speed drivers anger residents in southwest Calgary:
Extreme-speed drivers anger residents in southwest Calgary
People living along a stretch of Bow Trail S.W. say cars and motorbikes are driving at speeds far exceeding the 70 km/h limit. CBC’s Dan McGarvey visited the area to see just how bad the problem is.
There has been increased concern over road safety in Calgary, after 2025 saw a 10-year high in traffic fatalities, including 15 pedestrian deaths.
The city says it might further review other high-risk intersections flagged by the AI program. Councillors will also hear an update Tuesday on the city’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths.