Traffic Engineering and Transportation Planning

Functions of Traffic Engineering

• Monitors the highway system for points of hazard and congestion
• Conducts appropriate engineering studies to identify probable causes
• Develops strategies to remedy safety hazards and congestion problems and implement counter measures
• Designs, schedules and implements traffic engineering improvements
• Solicits support from other agencies for problems requiring a more comprehensive solution
• Responds to customer inquiries and requests for traffic engineering assistance
• Initiates and maintains records of all County traffic regulations
• Manages the County's Street Light Program, both along the existing road network and for new subdivisions
• Reviews engineering plans for County infrastructure improvement to assess impacts and consider traffic needs
• Develops detours and traffic control needs for work zones and special events
• Determines traffic control device needs for new developments
• Manages County or jointly administer parking programs, including Residential Permit Parking, Reserved Handicap Parking and Fire Lane restrictions

The Transportation Planning Unit's mission is to optimize the transportation system for end users by:

• Providing information on County transportation options and services
• Planning multimodal mid- to long-range transportation and transit operations 
• Developing and managing grants
• Monitoring transportation conditions
• Envisioning the future and identifying emerging issues
• Developing and analyzing appropriate solutions in cooperation with the community-at-large and policy makers
• Maintaining the County's transportation data
• Representing the County on various metropolitan task forces

Find additional information about the Transportation Planning Unit. 

Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) maintains the vast majority of street lights for Baltimore County. Report outages by calling 800-685-0123, 877-778-2222, or via the Outdoor Lighting (ODL) Outage Map.

Program Functions

The Street Light Program:

• Monitors approximately 45,000 street lights in Baltimore County, not including those on major interstate roadways and some state-maintained roadways
• Reviews engineering plans for compliance with rules and regulations for new developments
• Manages and authorizes requests for street light installations and modifications

Request Street Lighting

Request new street lighting, upgrades to existing lighting or shades by using the following forms or by calling 410-887-3716:

• Street Light Petition Form
• Upgrade Street Light Petition Form
• Shade Petition Form

The Traffic Signal shop maintains 250 signalized intersections in a 600-square-mile area surrounding, but not including Baltimore City. Baltimore County has 11 arterial signal systems coordinating 100 intersections. The signal systems are equipped with telephone interconnects and modems. The interconnects allow maintenance staff to graphically view the operation of each intersection to determine if it is operating properly. Examples of arterial systems are York Road, Joppa Road and Merritt Boulevard. The remainder of the signals operate independently.

Functions

• Constructs new signals and modify existing signals when functional changes are required.
• Repairs signal equipment damaged by accidents, construction and natural disasters.
• Programs, tests and repairs traffic signal control electronic equipment.
• Maintains all traffic signals, flashers and signal systems along the County highway system and some of those on the State highway system in Baltimore County.
• Installs and monitors signal and system timing.
• Maintains level-of-service (LOS) rating for signalized intersections.
• Maintains signal timing and maintenance records and inquiries regarding accidents and incidents.

Report a Problem

Traffic signs and signals are maintained by either Baltimore County or the State Highway Administration. For immediate safety issues, call 911. They will contact the appropriate agency for emergency response. 

There are about 250,000 signs in Baltimore County to inform motorists. The sign shop installs approximately 6,000 signs per year and stores about 2,000 signs. They also perform road painting and marking using white and yellow paint, on approximately 2,700 miles of roads in Baltimore County.

Functions

The Traffic Signs division:

• Acquires and maintains an inventory of commonly used, standard traffic signs
• Designs and fabricates all special and custom traffic signs
• Installs, maintains, repairs, replaces and removes when appropriate all regulatory, warning, guide and street name signs
• Paints centerlines, edge lines and lane lines on County roadways as needed
• Removes markings when required by revised roadway configurations or changed traffic needs
• Provides channeling devices or barricades for special events
• Paints and fabricates special (non-traffic) signs, logos and decals for other County agencies

Traffic signs installed on public streets in Baltimore County are to meet the policy standards outlined in the Sign Installation and Procedures Manual. This includes signs installed by developers on new streets within the County intended to be dedicated for public use.

All General-Use Reserved Parking Spaces for vehicles with Disabled Parking Permits are required to conform to the signing standards outlined in the Disabled Parking Signs and Parking Lot Layouts after October 1, 2010. These standards apply to all such spaces in the County on both public and private property.

Report A Problem

Traffic signs and signals are maintained by either Baltimore County or the State Highway Administration. For immediate safety issues, call 911. They will contact the appropriate agency for emergency response. 

Baltimore County now has a Traffic Calming program that can assist residents concerned by traffic speed and safety on their neighborhood roads. Options could include traffic circles, speed humps, pedestrian refuge islands, or narrowing driving lanes with curb extensions to discourage speeders while allowing for safer pedestrian crossings.

Apply for Traffic Calming Devices in Your Neighborhood

Once you have read the policy, you can apply for calming devices in your neighborhood by completing the form below.

Once an application is received, County traffic engineers will review and analyze the speeds and vehicle volumes in these neighborhoods. Where needed, they will recommend traffic calming measures based on each site's characteristics and identified problems.

Learn More

To find out more, email trafficcalming@baltimorecountymd.gov or call 410-887-3554.

Learn more about residential permit parking or reserved handicap parking.