Traffic Signals

How do I report a faulty traffic signal?

Call Signal Repair 720-865-4000

Whom do I call to request installation of a traffic signal in my neighborhood?

Call Traffic Engineering Services at 720-865-3150 to find out if a traffic signal might be warranted at a particular intersection.

The City and County of Denver is divided into “districts” which are managed by the City’s Transportation Engineers. When you call Transportation Engineering you will be referred to the engineer managing your district or neighborhood.

If a traffic signal is malfunctioning, or if there has been a change in operation that does not appear to be normal, contact Signal Repair at 720-865-4000.

If the signal has already been scheduled, contact Signal Repair: 720-865-4000.

Process for Determining Necessity of a Traffic Signal

In order to determine necessity of a signal, traffic studies must be conducted at the requested intersection. The location must be examined for volume of pedestrian and automobile traffic, delays and frequency of accidents. Traffic moving through the requested intersection is also studied in relation to other intersections in the surrounding area. The conclusions of these studies determine if a signal is “warranted”, or justified, according to the guidelines of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MUTCD.

In order to learn more about the process for determining traffic signal warrants, you are invited to read the Explanation below:

Explanation – Determining the Necessity for a Traffic Signal

Traffic signals don’t always prevent accidents. They are not always assets to traffic control, and in some incidents ‘total’ accidents and severe injuries increased after signals have been installed. Typically, in such instances, right angle automobile collisions have been reduced by the traffic signals, but the total number of collisions, especially the rear-end type, have increased.

There are times when the installation of signals results in an increase in pedestrian accidents. Many pedestrians feel secure with a painted crosswalk and a red light between them and an approaching vehicle. The motorist, however, is not always so quick to recognize these “barriers”.

When can a traffic signal be an asset instead of a liability to safety? In order to answer this, traffic engineers have to ask and answer a series of questions:

1. Are there so many cars on both streets that signal controls are necessary to clear up the confusion or relieve the congestion?

2. Is the traffic on the main street so heavy that drivers on the side street will try to cross when it is unsafe?

3. Are there so many pedestrians trying to cross a busy main street that confusing, congested or hazardous conditions result?

4. Are there so many school children trying to cross the street at the same time that special controls are needed for their protection? If so, is a traffic signal the best solution?

5. Are signals at this location going to help drivers maintain a uniform pace along the route without stopping unnecessarily?

6. Does the collision history indicate that signal controls will reduce the probability of collisions?

7. Do arterials intersect at this location and will a signal help improve the flow of traffic?

8. Is there a combination of the above conditions which indicates that a signal will be an improvement rather than a detriment?

To learn more about the MUTCD and how signal warrants are determined, please visit the following: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.

Whom do I call to request more “green time” on a turning lane or a through lane?

Call Traffic Engineering Services at 720-865-3150 and ask for information on how a traffic signal can be re-timed.

How do I request installation of a turning arrow or a pedestrian crossing signal in my neighborhood?

Call Traffic Engineering Services 720-865-3150 to find out if an arrow or a pedestrian signal may be warranted at the intersection.