Traffic

Like most municipalities, San Antonio collects traffic counts using battery-powered traffic counters with road tube sensors, which are connected to a traffic counter.

When a vehicle’s axle passes over the hoses, a pulse of air is sent to an air switch in the counter. The counter records the exact time of each axle hit. This is called collecting raw data, which can be analyzed to indicate the:

• volume of traffic traveling the street.
• vehicle speeds.
• type of vehicle.
• time gaps in traffic.

Turning Movement Counts

These traffic counts are taken at intersections and provide the volume of traffic by vehicle movement. This helps:

• identify the predominant and minor traffic patterns at intersections.
• determine the proper timing for the traffic signal under existing traffic conditions.

Since traffic signals are timed according to the volume of traffic performing each movement, these counts provide the engineer with the information needed to optimize the timing of the traffic signal.

The objectives in performing crash analyses are to:

• help identify high crash locations.
• evaluate alternative corrective treatments.
• determine the effectiveness of corrective treatments in order to compare before and after crash occurrences.
• aid in the planning process for the development of future projects.

A concern for traffic safety and/or a complaint concerning reoccurring crashes at a particular facility may be cited as reasons to make changes. In this case, a review of crash records for the location in question will occur.

Crash problems will likely be revealed by abnormal trends in the crash history. It is these trends that investigators search for and use to evaluate and recommend corrective treatments.

A field investigation is completed on nearly every request received for new traffic control devices. Merely observing traffic and street geometry can be insightful.

A field investigation is often the most informative aspect of the traffic study and can help identify changes which have occurred over time.  Field investigations may also provide additional information that is not readily accessible within the records on file for the location being studied.

The only time a field investigation may not be necessary is for maintenance items such as traffic sign replacements.

When a complaint is received, a field investigation is necessary to verify problems and help the investigator search for treatments. Many times, more than one field investigation may be necessary depending on the nature of the request.

The following are a few examples of requests requiring a field investigation:

Complaints About

• curves which are not safe at the posted speed limit
• inadequate sight distance

Requests For

• installation of guardrails
• parking restrictions
• removal of any existing traffic control device
• speed humps or other traffic calming features
• stop signs, yield signs, speed limit signs and other sign installations
• traffic signals