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Department of Transportation


Something on traffic engineering

All traffic engineering evidence shows that for greatest safety, speeds should be set at the 85 percentile speed. How will a 25 mph speed limit protect pedestrians crossing the Grand Central Parkway, or crossing in mid block while they read their e-mail?

Traffic Engineering and the law.

The New York State Education Law makes it a crime to practice the profession of engineering without a Professional Engineer’s license but is seems that many people at DOT are doing just that.  Read about the MUTCD’s requirements for altering streets and erecting traffic control devices and then read the Education Law to determine if DOT officials should be jailed.

The MUTCD, 1A-13 definitions:

64. Engineering Judgment—the evaluation of available pertinent information, and the application of appropriate principles, provisions, and practices as contained in this Manual and other sources, for the purpose of deciding upon the applicability, design, operation, or installation of a traffic control device. Engineering judgment shall be exercised by an engineer, or by an individual working under the supervision of an engineer . . ..

65. Engineering Study—the comprehensive analysis and evaluation of available pertinent information, and the application of appropriate principles, provisions, and practices as contained in this Manual and other sources, for the purpose of deciding upon the applicability, design, operation, or installation of a traffic control device. An engineering study shall be performed by an engineer, or by an individual working under the supervision of an engineer . . ..

Brookville Boulevard

The New York City Department of Transportation has well demonstrated its anti-motorist position, but the situation on Brookville Boulevard is a special case.  It appears that they have decided that the penalty for drunk or even slightly inattentive driving should be death!


Traffic Signal Timing

This section will be filled in at a future time.


Improper Traffic Signals

Traffic signals should, of course, be aligned so that they are visible to the approaching motorist.  And federal and state law (MUTCD) requires two overhead (visible) signal heads at a signal controlled intersection.

Improper Traffic Signs

Traffic signs must meet requirements of federal and state law (MUTCD).  In fact, the New York state Vehicle and Traffic Law m akes it a traffic infraction to install a non-compliant traffic control device.   The New York City Department of Transportaion has, nonetheless, installed a variety of unlawful traffic control devices.




One example is the standard bus stop sign.  These signs are installed in violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, § 1680 which requires all "traffic control devices" to comply with the U.S. Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) as modified by the NYS Supplement. They are a violation because parking signs must be rectangular rather than circular.  As a partial result of posting these signs, the federal government is considering denying highway aid money to the city.