I receive a lot of requests for traffic lights. Some are no-brainers, but in most cases they require a lot of time-consuming investigations.
Traffic light placement is controlled by the MUTCD, the New Jersey Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
It is not just a matter of the township, or county for that matter, deciding to erect a light in a given location. I asked our engineer to give me a succinct explanation of the process involved:
All jurisdictions use the MUTCD Warrants (Local, County and state)
Without totally inundating you with volumes of law and charts, signalization need is basically done on a study of 8 warrants in the MUTCD. The “Is it warranted” question can come from local police, advocacy groups or a mayor for example.
Once a traffic study is authorized and completed by the jurisdiction, the study will conclude if a signal is warranted by the hired traffic engineer.
If you want to dive deep into the weeds, below is the actual reference:
MUTCD Section 4C.01 Studies and Factors for Justifying Traffic Control Signals
Standard:
01 An engineering study of traffic conditions, pedestrian characteristics, and physical characteristics of the location shall be performed to determine whether installation of a traffic control signal is justified at a particular location.
02 The investigation of the need for a traffic control signal shall include an analysis of factors related to the existing operation and safety at the study location and the potential to improve these conditions, and the applicable factors contained in the following traffic signal warrants:
Warrant 1, Eight-Hour Vehicular Volume
Warrant 2, Four-Hour Vehicular Volume
Warrant 3, Peak Hour
Warrant 4, Pedestrian Volume
Warrant 5, School Crossing
Warrant 6, Coordinated Signal System
Warrant 7, Crash Experience
Warrant 8, Roadway Network
Warrant 9, Intersection Near a Grade Crossing
A traffic signal warrant study must include sufficient vehicular and
pedestrian counts, the latest three year detailed crash analysis at the intersection
and a detailed plan or condition diagram of the intersection, identifying the
geometric features including intersection sight distance, existing traffic control
devices and markings, spacing to existing signals and speed limits. In addition, the
engineer is required to provide a recommendation that if warranted the
signalization is based on his analysis and investigation and that signalization is in
the best interest of safety and the expeditious movement of traffic.
I know that is a lot to digest! At the end of the day, the township will work tirelessly to install lights when we feel they are needed for the safety of our residents.
I just wanted folks to have an idea of the process involved, and why it seems to take forever for lights to be installed.
Ray
Wow, thank you for explaining this, Mr. Mayor! Perhaps we can have weekly or monthly ‘what goes into the township/county/state’s decision…’ on such topics so we can be more understanding and less complaining. Like Rte 9, the pedestrian bridge etc. TIA
Yes please!
I personally have a little bit of a background in infrastructure, so when I hear someone complain about something I know a little about I feel like they are being ignorant. But then when an issue comes up that I know nothing about, I go on the same “useless politicians/bureaucrats/union labor” rant as the same people I just called ignorant.
For example: the mayor addressed what goes into approving a traffic light but didn’t explain what transpires from when the light is approved until it goes live which often will take years as well. And as always the more government agencies involved the longer it all takes. Don’t even consider installing a traffic light on a County/State road intersection bordering a national park with preserved wetlands on one side and and an endangered animal habitat on the other side. Your grandkids will graduate as doctors before that one goes live.
what about once it’s approved. why does it still take 2+years and counting to install (rt9 broadway/oak)
On a township controlled intersection it’ll often take 2-4 from when a light is approved until it goes live.
RT nine is a federal highway administered by the state, it will take much longer to install and go live than town administered stop lights. (See my comment above)
The new light on Gudz and New Egypt seems to have gone live pretty quickly unless I’m mistaken and was really approved a few years ago.
you want a light by oak? they are busy on drake putting up rumbling strips ahead signs, what a joke, what a waist of money ,when people drive over the rumbling strips, they will feel them, why waist a sign on rumbling strips? its not like a speed bump that you need to slow down for, or you’ll go air born
You can often see similar rumble strip warning signs leading up to a toll booth.
If I understand correctly, this is to keep traffic flowing by preempting the urge to check if that rumble is a flat tire.
Washington and Pine intersection needs a traffic light asap
Dear Mayor,
Thanks for this!
Can you check into when to expect a light on the corner of the 9 and Oak street? I thought that was supposed to already be there, and I feel sorry for our faithful traffic guy who is out there daily dodging cars and bad drivers!
Thank you, Mayor Coles.
This kind of education and clarity is so so helpful!