Traffic Construction

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• Traffic Calming Policy
• Pavement Maintenance - Program Maintenance Years
• Anthem Loop Study
• Anthem Traffic Study

FAST Cameras

Check out the roads before you drive with the Regional Transportation Commission's Freeway & Arterial System of Transportation (FAST) camera system.

FAST is a department of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. FAST is one of the first truly integrated Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) organizations in the country. FAST uses all available tools to improve the public's commute throughout Southern Nevada.

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Traffic Signal Justification Process

Warranting a traffic signal involves a structured process to determine whether the installation of a traffic signal is justified based on various criteria. This process ensures that traffic signals are installed where they will effectively improve safety and traffic flow. Here's a general outline of how a traffic signal gets warranted:

1. Data Collection and Analysis:

• Traffic Volume: Collect data on the number of vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists at the intersection. This includes peak traffic hours and overall traffic patterns.
• Accident History: Review accident reports to identify any patterns or frequent incidents that could be mitigated by a traffic signal.
• Pedestrian and Cyclist Activity: Assess the volume and needs of pedestrians and cyclists crossing the intersection.

2. Warrant Analysis:

• Traffic engineers use specific criteria or "warrants" to assess whether a traffic signal is necessary. These criteria are outlined in the latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) in the United States..  Warrants include:
  • Warrant 1: Eight-Hour Vehicular Volume: If traffic volumes for each of any eight hours on the main road and side street reach certain thresholds, a signal may be warranted.
  • Warrant 2: Four-Hour Vehicular Volume: If traffic volumes for each of any four hours on the main road and side street reach certain thresholds, a signal may be warranted.
  • Warrant 3: Peak Hour: This warrant is intended for use at a location where traffic conditions are such that for a minimum of 1 hour of an average day, the minor-street traffic suffers undue delay when entering or crossing the major street.  
  • Warrant 4: Pedestrian Volume: High pedestrian traffic, especially near schools or commercial areas.
  • Warrant 5: School Crossing: If the intersection is near a school and a significant number of children cross the road.
  • Warrant 6: Coordinated Signal System: If the intersection is part of a larger system of signals that requires coordination.
  • Warrant 7: Crash Experience: If there is a high rate of accidents at the intersection, particularly those that could be mitigated by a signal.
  • Warrant 8: Roadway Network: Consideration of the importance of the intersection within the broader roadway network.
  • Warrant 9: Intersection Near a Grade Crossing: Proximity of a rail crossing is the principal reason to consider installing a traffic control signal.

3. Evaluation of Alternatives:

• Before installing a traffic signal, engineers consider other alternatives such as stop signs, roundabouts, or enhanced crosswalks. They evaluate whether these alternatives might be more effective or appropriate.

4. Public and Stakeholder Input:

• Gather feedback from the community, local businesses, and other stakeholders. Public input can provide additional perspectives on traffic issues and potential solutions.

5. Engineering Judgment:

• Engineers apply their expertise to consider factors that may not be fully captured by warrants, such as the unique characteristics of the intersection, local conditions, and long-term impacts.

6. Approval and Implementation:

• Once it is determined that a traffic signal is warranted, a proposal is prepared for review and approval by relevant authorities, such as city councils or transportation departments.
• After approval, the signal is designed, installed, and tested. This includes configuring signal phases, timings, and integrating with existing traffic management systems if necessary.

7. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• After installation, the performance of the traffic signal is monitored to ensure it meets the intended objectives. This includes assessing traffic flow, safety improvements, and any unforeseen issues.

By following these steps, traffic engineers ensure that traffic signals are installed in locations where they will be most effective in improving safety and managing traffic flow.

Intersection Safety: Myth Versus Reality

Below are a number of misconceptions about traffic control solutions: 

1. Installing signals always make intersections safer. 

• Unwarranted or improperly operating signals can increase intersection congestion.
• Increased congestion leads to aggressive driving behavior and impatience among drivers and pedestrians.
• Longer waiting times may result in red light violations and traffic diversion to neighborhood streets.
• Traffic diversion can heighten collision risks, worsen congestion, and increase air and noise pollution.
• It's important to implement additional traffic safety measures to manage increased neighborhood traffic.
• Improving minor street waiting times can encourage use of main roads instead of side streets.
• Alternatives like stop control or roundabouts may be more effective than signals at low-traffic intersections.
• Low traffic volume signals can lead to more violations of red lights.

2. Having a stop sign, or more stop signs, is better than fewer or none.

• Unwarranted stop signs create various issues at intersections and along roadways:
  • Encourage Speeding: Drivers may speed between stop signs to compensate for delays.
  • Increase Violations: More stop signs lead to a higher rate of violations.
  • Promote Alternate Routes: Excessive stop signs can drive traffic to avoid congested areas.
  • Heighten Collision Risks: Drivers may disregard vehicle and pedestrian traffic, increasing accident chances.
• Ineffectiveness: Stop signs do not significantly reduce overall traffic speed; drivers often treat delays as “lost time.”
• Motorist Contempt: Unwarranted stop signs can lead to drivers ignoring them or only slowing down.
• Improper Use: Stop signs should not be a routine solution for speeding or intersection safety issues; installation should follow an engineering study to assess need.
• Not a Fix for Design Flaws: Stop signs cannot resolve safety problems related to poor sight distances or inadequate road design.

3. Installing stops signs at a four-way stop intersection will always result in fewer accidents.

• Four-way stop signs may not improve safety: They can create a false sense of security for pedestrians.
• Increased risk of confusion: Improper application of stop signs may lead to confusion over right-of-way, increasing the chance of accidents.
• Promote violations: Four-way stops on roads with unequal design, speed, and traffic volume can lead to more driver violations.
• Increased congestion: Replacing two-way stops with four-way stops often leads to greater traffic congestion.
• Engineering analysis required: Four-way stops should only be considered after conducting an engineering study and capacity analysis.
• Compliance with standards: Traffic control devices must meet state standards based on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

^{Source: https://www.groveport.org/DocumentCenter/View/3996/Intersection-Safety}