Welcome to the new MaineDOT website! 

We've recently transitioned to a new content management system to improve the MaineDOT website. We appreciate your patience while we work to update the site. If you have any questions or specific content requests in the meantime, please Contact Us.

HomePublications → Traffic Engineering

Traffic Engineering

Traffic Engineering encompasses traffic operations and traffic design.

Traffic Operations

MaineDOT's Traffic Operations section is responsible for tracking crash records, collecting traffic data and maintaining MaineDOT's electrical devices and pavement marking program. The section also includes right of way control and our sign shop.

Traffic Movement Permits

Traffic Analysis Guidelines

Crash Records

Visit our crash data web page to view crash stats for wildlife, motorcycles, pedestrians & bicycles and more.

Pavement Marking and Operations

This section includes the Sign Shop, Stencil, and Striping crews. The Sign Shop produce approximately 20,000 signs a year which are distributed throughout Maine.

Electrical Operations

MaineDOT employs a small electrical crew.  They are responsible for maintenance of all MaineDOT's traffic signals, flashing beacons, highway lighting, and flashing signs. As of 2025, this includes nearly 2000 lights, more than 150 high mast light towers, over 150 state or hybrid-maintained traffic signals, over 50 flashing beacons, and over 370 flashing signs with more being installed monthly. 

Traffic Engineering Design

This section is responsible for signal, lighting, signing plans and site reviews.

The Traffic Engineering Design section is responsible for the design and/or review of design for proposed traffic signals. This would include the timing, phasing and layout of lane assignments. This section is also responsible for providing other Bureaus within MaineDOT plans and specifications dealing with temporary traffic signals.

Another function of the Design Section is the design of lighting plans. Lighting is an item associated with safety and delineating side roads and decision points. The  group uses FHWA design criteria to develop appropriate lighting plans.

Roadway signing is another function of the Design Section. The section is responsible for designing new and replacement signs for roadway projects. Most projects are on the Interstate with some specialty sign work taking place off the Interstate.

The Design section is also responsible for checking signal warrants for intersections. Towns often call the Department to request signal projects. The Traffic Division then asks for 12-hour turning movements at the intersection and a determination is made from these counts as to whether a signal is warranted. The intersection must meet at least one of the eleven signal warrants in FHWA's "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices."  The meeting of a warrant, however does not necessarily mean that a signal will be installed.

Engineering Instructions