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

The Electrical Crew currently consists of three master electricians with plans to add two more positions in the future. They are responsible for all of MaineDOT's signals, beacons, highway and bridge lighting, electrical signs, and installing many of the new projects. This includes 1072 lights, 600 control points, 155 lighting towers, 518 fixtures, 104 beacons, 33 signals and 53 dynamic signs statewide. This crew is NEVER short of work.

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