Traffic Management Updates
Tour Bus Volume Rebounds
Tour bus visitation is climbing back to pre-COVID levels, and the number of smaller shuttles with 11-24 seats has grown exponentially since the park and ride systems with private operators were introduced for Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Consequently, bus parking in the public lot behind the Mount Royal Hotel continues to exceed capacity on weekends. In response, the Town has:
- Expanded overnight tour bus parking at the Train Station Public Parking Lot, in addition to the space in the Industrial Compound.
- Added on-street coach bus parking on Beaver Street at the entrance to the Mount Royal lot.
- Piloting reduced parking duration in the lot behind the Mount Norquay Hotel, changing from 2-hour parking to 15-minute loading.
- Additional bus and shuttle parking in the townsite is being explored.
Notice: Surprise Corner Maintenance
The Town has closed the upper viewing platform at Surprise until October 20, to repair vandalized structures, replace aging boards and re-stain and maintain the stairs, benches and railings. The parking lot will remain open but the viewing area will be reduced.
Tracking Visitor Origins
The town is now tracking License plate data at town entrances. This will provide insights into the geographic origin of visitors, including U.S. tourists taking advantage of a stronger dollar, and residents of Calgary and surrounding areas. In 2025, about 18% of vehicles entering Banff are registered in Calgary. These insights will support data-driven planning.
Real-time Congestion Management
- Manual traffic signal overrides continue to ease congestion at key intersections.
- Flaggers continue to manage traffic flow and pedestrian safety at key intersections every weekend in summer.
Proactive Visitor Messaging
During peak summer months, the Town amplifies communications in the Calgary region via radio advertising, media relations and social media:
- Encouraging day visitors to consider leaving their vehicle at home and taking a bus to Banff
- Urging overnight visitors to leave their vehicle (especially RVs and trailers) parked at the campground and taking free Roam Transit to town, and hotel guests to leave their vehicles parked and using free transit passes that most hotels give to guests.
- Encouraging Calgary-area drivers to arrive before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. to be able to find parking and less crowded trails, attractions and transit.
- Encouraging visitation in fall, winter, and spring.
Learn more at:
Definitions
Main Entrances Monthly Total Vehicle Volumes: This number references the total number of vehicles recorded (both incoming and outgoing combined) at traffic count stations located at the two main entrances to town: on Norquay Road and on Banff Avenue. This number equals ((Norquay Rd. incoming volume + Norquay Rd. outgoing volume) + (Banff Ave. incoming volume + Banff Ave. outgoing volume)). The vehicle volume reported is not representative of the total number of vehicles in town in one month; it is simply how many vehicles are moving in and out of the town over the course of one month.
Bow River Bridge Crossings on Banff Avenue - Monthly Total Vehicle Volume: This number references the total number of vehicles recorded (both southbound and northbound combined) over the course of one month at a traffic count station located on the bridge. Full monthly data collection at this location began in August 2016.
Mountain Avenue Monthly Total Vehicle Volume: This number references the total number of vehicles recorded (both southbound and northbound combined) over the course of one month at a traffic count station located on Mountain Ave., around the corner and up the hill from Middle Springs Drive.
Total Vehicle Volume year-to-date (YTD): This number references the total number of vehicles recorded (both incoming and outgoing combined) between January 1 and the end of the reporting month at traffic count stations identified above.
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