Traffic signals are used where stop or yield signs are no longer enough to manage traffic safely. As traffic volumes increase, signals help assign the right-of-way and allow for the orderly movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

Signals provide the highest level of intersection control. They tell road users when to stop, proceed or turn.

City staff design and install traffic signals, and qualified contractors perform ongoing maintenance.

Not Always the Right Solution

Traffic signals are not appropriate for every intersection. While they can reduce certain types of collisions, they may increase others, such as rear-end crashes. Unnecessary signals can also cause delays or shift traffic onto residential streets. Each request is carefully reviewed by qualified staff.

If you have concerns about an intersection, contact Access St. John’s. Staff will investigate and study the location.

How Traffic Lights Detect Vehicles

Some traffic lights operate on fixed timers. Others are traffic-responsive and use detectors to adjust timing based on conditions.

Detectors can sense:

• When a vehicle arrives at an intersection

• When multiple vehicles are waiting

• When a vehicle enters a turning lane

In St. John’s, detectors are installed beneath the asphalt. The most common type is an inductive loop — a wire embedded in the road surface that detects metal from vehicles and signals the controller.

The signal controller acts as the “brain” of the system. Controllers can communicate with nearby intersections to coordinate traffic flow, especially during peak hours.

City staff install and maintain traffic signs on municipal roads. Signs are placed according to national standards and engineering guidelines.

If a sign is damaged or missing, contact Access St. John’s.

Speed Limit Signs

According to the Highway Traffic Act and the City of St. John's Speed Limit Bylaw, the speed limit on all residential streets in the City of St. John's is 50 km per hour unless otherwise posted. As such, posting the same sign on all streets is not necessary. Once you drive into a residential area you should automatically lower your speed.

Contact the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary to report speeding or unsafe driving. 

Non-standard Warning Signs

Sometimes we get requests for non-standard warning signs such as 'Children at Play' signs from residents who are concerned with speeding and/or distracted driving on their street. 

The City of St. John's only uses signs that are in the Canadian Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. These signs are not included in the manual. Why? Transportation experts believe these signs give a false sense of security and expectation and experience has shown that these signs have very little, if any, effect on driving behaviour.

Warning signs are meant to advise people driving of unusual or unexpected road conditions. There are children on nearly every residential street in the City of St. John's and therefore people driving should expect them to be there. Speeding can be controlled by traffic enforcement and street design. 

If you have a concern about speeding on your street, contact the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

Crosswalks are locations where pedestrians have the right-of-way when crossing the street. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

When assessing new crosswalk locations, the City follows the Transportation Association of Canada’s Pedestrian Crossing Control Manual.

Factors considered include:

• Number of pedestrians crossing

• Traffic volume

• Visibility

• Connectivity to nearby destinations

Not all locations meet the criteria for a marked crosswalk.

The City has also been upgrading crosswalks through its Annual Crosswalk Improvement Program.

This initiative supports the City’s goal of maintaining a safe, inclusive active transportation network by upgrading existing crosswalks and adding new ones where needed.

Planned improvements may include the addition of rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs), overhead flashers, curb extensions, and accessible signals.