Traffic Engineering

Bike lanes on a city street

Important

If you notice the following traffic emergencies, immediately report to 9-1-1:

  • Traffic signals that are completely out (no power)
  • Traffic signal with missing displays (red, yellow or green indications)
  • Traffic signs that are missing, such as Stop, One Way or Do Not Enter signs

Services

  • Manage and maintain 254 traffic signals (212 NCDOT-owned and 42 City-owned), more than 20,000 traffic signs, and implement pavement markings on City streets
  • Monitor 40 traffic cameras
  • Maintain more than 900 City-owned streetlights
  • Monitor and report neighborhood traffic conditions with speedminder feedback signs, radar units, and portable cameras for intersection studies

Traffic Signals

Other Resources

 

Signal System Mythbusting

Here are some common misconceptions we hear about traffic engineering. Test your knowledge and open each accordion to debunk the myth.

Myth: The light should change instantly when I pull up.

Fact: The signal may be coordinated with other signals. Remain at the stop bar and your movement will be served. Report repeated detection issues.

Myth: Honking or flashing headlights changes the light.

Fact: Signals do not respond to horns or flashing your headlights. Detection zones are located at the stop bars. Be sure to pull up to the stop bar for the signal to detect your vehicle. 

Myth: The pedestrian button is fake.

Fact: Pushing the button will let the signal know that you are trying to cross but it will not change instantly.

Myth: Pressing the pedestrian button repeatedly helps.

Fact: One firm press is enough. If a walk indication is repeatedly not given, then report issues.

Myth: The flashing hand means start crossing.

Fact: The flashing hand means finish crossing if you have already started.

Myth: The signal skipped my bicycle or motorcycle on purpose.

Fact: The signal detection is designed to accommodate all vehicles but may require modifying sensitivity to the sensor. Stop at the stop bar and report repeated detection issues.

Myth: A camera means tickets.

Fact: Cameras may support detection, monitoring, or operations.

Myth: Yellow lights are there to speed up to make the light.

Fact: Yellow time is a calculated value based on the approach speed and other engineering factors to come to a stop at the intersection.

Myth: All-red time causes unnecessary delays.

Fact: All-red time is a calculated value based on the approach speed and other engineering factors to clear the intersection if a vehicle has entered at the beginning of red before a conflicting green indication is provided.

Myth: Longer green time fixes traffic.

Fact: More green time in one direction requires that time be taken from another. Signal timing balances vehicular volume, turning movements, pedestrians, safety, and nearby signals. One change can disrupt nearby signals.

Myth: A long side-street wait means the detector is broken.

Fact: The traffic signal may be coordinated with other signals to allow progression along the roadway. Report repeated skipped calls. 

Myth: Emergency vehicles magically control every light.

Fact: Preemption uses authorized equipment to change the light in the direction of travel of the emergency vehicles then returns to normal.

Myth: Missing the light multiple times means the signal is broken.

Fact: Missing the light may be an operations issue or an equipment malfunction. Report any concerns. 

Myth: If a traffic signal is not working, it can wait and is not an emergency.

Fact: If a traffic signal is completely out with no lights showing or the traffic signal is flashing red, report it to 911 immediately.

 

Contact Us

Phone
910.341.7888

Location
206 Operations Center Drive
Wilmington, NC 28412
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