Most Recent Action
Accomplished administratively. TDOT determined that no statutory authority requiring cities to seek department's approval.
Background
Municipalities throughout Tennessee are required by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to operate and maintain traffic signals within their jurisdiction on state highways. However, the installation of new municipal traffic signals on state highways is subject to the review and approval of TDOT with the exception of the largest municipalities.
TDOT has statutorily adopted the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) to govern the installation and maintenance of traffic signals on state highways. This manual is published and amended by the Federal Highway Administration and provides significant guidance to federal, state and local governments with regard to highway safety and congestion control.
Many municipalities have sufficient resources and expertise to conduct traffic engineering studies in accordance with the MUTCD to determine whether a traffic signal is warranted. Once complete, these studies are presented to TDOT for their review and approval. TDOT reserves the right to deny any request should it be determined justification for installation has not been met.
It has become commonplace for municipalities to present TDOT with traffic engineering studies conducted in accordance to the MUTCD which warrant installation of new traffic signals. As such, TDOT has recently adopted an informal policy of promptly approving such requests. Should the request also ask for state funding of the installation, the request is subject to additional study and scrutiny by TDOT.
Problem
The adoption of the informal policy by TDOT as mentioned above alleviates the problem of time consuming approvals for new municipal traffic signal installations on state highways under certain circumstances. However, no certainty is provided for future requests as this policy has not been statutorily adopted.
Proposed Legislation
Tennessee Code Annotated to state should a traffic engineering study conducted by any municipality in accordance with the MUTCD warranting the installation of a new municipal traffic signal on a state highway be submitted to TDOT, prompt review and approval should be given. TDOT shall reserve the right of further study and review should state funding be requested for the installation of any given traffic signal.
Benefits to Municipalities
Municipalities who expend the time and expense of conducting traffic engineering studies in accordance with the MUTCD can expect prompt TDOT approval and be better equipped to alleviate congestion and address safety concerns at intersections proven to be accident prone.
