LOCAL TRAFFIC ENGINEERING: WHERE ARE WE?

A survey (by 2-page questionnaire) is reported of cities and counties in Tennessee. The survey attempted to determine the following: who makes decisions on traffic control; how routine traffic engineering duties were being handled; and to what extent traffic engineering tools such as accident record systems were being utilized. The results showed that some of the smaller cities and counties have problems. Many small local governments do not have a copy of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), or a trained staff or traffic engineering tools to practise most standards. Survey results are discussed regarding traffic control responsibility, the use of the MUTCD, traffic signing practices, pavement marking practices, school zone speed limits, traffic engineering tools, and the use of common nonstandard traffic control devices.