Traffic and Permit Section
The Traffic and Permit Section (TPS) is responsible for design and specification of traffic control devices (signs, signals and markings) and traffic barriers (guardrail) and administers the County’s right-of-way permit program. These efforts are focused on improving safety and efficiency for all road users.
TPS collects traffic data to inform design decisions, addresses traffic related questions and complaints, and administers traffic calming efforts on County roads.
Traffic Control Devices
The Maryland edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MUTCD, provides direction and guidance regarding signs, signals and markings on publicly accessible streets and roads.
Traffic Signalization
Traffic signals should only be used if certain traffic conditions exist. These conditions, or “warrants”, are documented as part of a “warrant analysis”. An unwarranted signal can introduce inefficiencies and degrade safety. To view the warrants necessary to justify a traffic signal, please review Chapter 4 of the MUTCD.
All major subdivisions and commercial projects must undergo studies to determine if roadway improvements are warranted, as determined by the County’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance. All large projects and all projects in already-congested areas will be screened to see if new traffic signals or signal modifications are necessary.
Request for new traffic control signs and signals
Traffic Counts
The Department of Highways and Transportation maintains a listing of 24-hour “average daily traffic” counts (ADT’s) at all County bridges, most County-maintained collector and arterial streets, and many local roads in rural areas. Traffic Count data is viewable as a layer in the Property Explorer map.
The Maryland State Highway Administration annually re-counts many locations on state highways and roads. They produce an annual map of these counts. Be advised that you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the file.
Inquire About Trends & Road Counts
Department of Public Works does not post or publish this information primarily for the reason that the count program is ongoing at all times and is routinely updated. Interpretation of count data and terms can be confusing to a lay person. For this reason, Department of Public Works invites interested parties to contact us directly to inquire about specific roads and trends.
The Maryland State Highway Administration annually re-counts many locations on state highways and roads. They produce an annual map of these counts. Be advised that you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the file.
Count Machines
One should not assume that a road upgrade is pending if you see a count machine (as evidenced usually by a rubber tube across the road connected to a toaster-sized box) on your street. Often, this is merely a regularly scheduled event to update our database of information.
Intersection Turning Movement Counts
Neither the County nor the State performs regular “intersection turning movement counts.” These counts involve counting each movement, i.e., right turn, left turn, or through movement, that occurs at an intersection. Usually these counts are recorded over 2 or 3-hour windows of time, such that the “peak hour” within that window can be derived. Typically, a private consulting firm performs this style of count. This type of information is also used in determining “traffic signal warrant” thresholds and “level of service” analysis.
Traffic Signalization
To view the warrants necessary to justify a traffic signal, please review Chapter 4 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
All major subdivisions and commercial projects must undergo studies to determine if roadway improvements (and other concerns) need to be mitigated. All large projects and all projects in already-congested areas will be screened to see if traffic signals are necessary.
Request for new traffic control signs and signals