> Departments > Engineering > Traffic > Traffic Signals  

Traffic Signal    Traffic Signals    Traffic Signal


Traffic signals are valuable devices for the control of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. However, because they assign the right-of-way to the various traffic movements, traffic signals exert a profound influence on traffic flow.

Traffic signals, properly located and operated, usually have one or more of the following advantages:

  1. They can provide for the orderly movement of traffic.
  2. Where proper physical layouts and control measures are used, they can increase the traffic handling capacity of the intersection.
  3. They can reduce the frequency of certain types of accidents, especially the right angle type.
  4. Under favorable conditions, they can be coordinated to provide for continuous or nearly continuous movement of traffic at a definite speed along a given route.
  5. They can be used to interrupt heavy traffic at intervals to permit other traffic, vehicular or pedestrian, to cross.

Many people believe that traffic signals provide the solution to all traffic problems at intersections. This has led to their installation at a large number of locations where no legitimate factual warrant exists.

Traffic signal installations, even though warranted by traffic and roadway conditions, can be ill designed, ineffectively placed, improperly operated, or poorly maintained. The following factors can result from improper or unwarranted signal installations:

  1. Excessive delay may be caused.
  2. Disobedience of the signal indications is encouraged.
  3. The use of less adequate routes may be induced in an attempt to avoid such signals.
  4. Accident frequency (especially the rear end type) can be significantly increased.

The locations where traffic signals can be installed are limited to those locations which meet certain criteria (or warrants) as outlined in the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices). Please note that simply meeting a warrant does not mean a traffic signal will or should be installed and must be supported by an engineering study. Signal installations must compete with other Road and Bridge Capital projects for funding. Some funding may be available from State and Federal safety improvement programs.

The warrants are included in Section 4C of the MUTCD (this copy may not be the most current version - see the U.S. Department of Transportation).

All signal installations in Larimer County were installed by other agencies and are contracted for maintenance through these agencies.

Engineering Home Previous Page