Transportation Engineering

The installation and modification of traffic control devices, including traffic signs, traffic striping, color curb markings, and traffic signals are divided into five major sections, all led by the City Traffic Engineer:

Traffic Management - Responds to about 2,000 public requests annually concerning on-street parking, pedestrian conditions, traffic safety, and traffic circulation; introduces legislation for traffic regulations; manages the Color Curb program (blue, white, yellow, red, and green zones); produces striping drawings and other traffic documents; reviews street speed limits; and analyzes collisions.

Special Projects/Street Use - Designs new signals and signal upgrades; oversees installation of pedestrian countdown signals and pedestrian audible signals; manages temporary street closing program, including street fairs, athletic events, neighborhood block parties, and other related events.

Traffic Routing for Construction - Provides traffic engineering support to private and public construction projects to manage traffic, transit, bicycle and pedestrian circulation and provides project-funded support during major construction projects.

SFgo and Transit Engineering – Implements, evaluates and plans a variety of transit on-street improvements, including bus zones, bus boarding bulbs and medians, signal priority plans, and exclusive transit regulations. SFgo manages the City’s intelligent transportation systems (transit signal priority, changeable message signs, traffic cameras, and communications with signal controllers).

Traffic Signal Shop - Modifies and maintains over 1,200 traffic signals, signal communication systems, and related signal field hardware. Signal Shop electricians are responsible for the programming of complex signal timing plans and their implementation in the field, and work closely with engineers on the selection of new signal technology and equipment.