Traffic Operations and Planning
Traffic engineering services provides for the safe and efficient movement of motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians – both today and in the future.
Fulton Street Pedestrian Scramble
The Fulton Street project is currently under construction. As part of the project, Fulton Street will feature pedestrian scrambles at key intersections. A pedestrian scramble is a type of traffic signal movement that temporarily stops all vehicular traffic, thereby allowing pedestrians to cross an intersection in every direction, including diagonally, at the same time. The 1-page document below shows how to safely use a pedestrian scramble.
Traffic Planning
The Traffic Planning Section works closely with the Planning and Development Department by providing Conditions of Approval, site plan review, and design guidelines for both residential and commercial development projects. The section also processes variances, Rezones, plan amendments, and provides design guidelines for traffic calming standards.
Conditions of Approval for:
- Tract Maps
- Parcel Maps
- Conditional Use Permits
- Site Plan Reviews
- Vacations
- County Applications
The conditions and review cover the following:
- Off-Site Improvement Requirements –Including but not limited to dedications, vacations, street and alley paving, bike lanes and paths, curb, gutter, sidewalk, driveway approaches, curb ramps, street lights, traffic signals, under grounding utilities.
- New Growth Area and Urban Growth Management Requirements – Construction of the center section of the major street system which would connect the proposed project to the existing infrastructure.
- Parking Lot Requirements – in accordance with the City of Fresno’s Parking Manual
- Traffic Impact Studies – required on all projects that are projected to generate 100 or more peak hour trips (a.m. or p.m.).
Documents
Traffic Operations
Traffic Operations section performs engineering and traffic studies along with traffic counts for the completion of traffic warrants per the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to determine if a new traffic signal, signal modification, stop sign, crosswalk or a change to a posted speed limit is needed.
Traffic Operations investigates requests from the public regarding curb painting, crosswalks, signs, striping, and visibility issues and works in conjunction with Fresno Unified, Clovis Unified, and Central Unified school districts to enhance the safety of children when traveling to and from school.
Links:
Traffic Permits & Plan Checks
A minimum of 48 hours for the processing permits is required If there is an urgent situation, please contact us so that we can assist you to the best of our ability.
Permits and Plan Check Section performs the following services:
Permits
Signing and Striping
- Plan Check Log
- Signing & Striping Checklist
- Signing & Striping General Notes
- Plan Checking Procedure for Signing & Striping
Street Lighting
- Plan Check Log
- Street Lighting Checklist
- Street Light Plan General Notes (Updated September 2015)
Traffic Control Plans for Road and Lane Closures
Truck Routes
Questions? Please call (559) 621-8800
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)
Fresno’s Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is a state-of-the-art technology to monitor, model, and coordinate traffic, connecting the City’s Traffic Operations Center to a fiber network for efficient citywide traffic coordination. ITS has helped to reduce commute times up to 18% and reduce the resulting emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), Nitrogen Oxide (NOX), Greenhouse Gasses (CO2).
ITS Plans are prepared by private engineers at the request of the City of Fresno or a developer, and they are submitted to the Department of Public Works. The ITS Plans are reviewed to verify that Federal, State, Regional Architecture, and City of Fresno standards have been followed.
Fiber Optic Infrastructure: Miles of fiber optic cable that connect to the busiest intersections are buried under the ground. Traffic Operation Center (TOC) provides a single location to manage the fiber optic cable traffic routes.
Traffic Controllers: Traffic signal timing is controlled by computerized controllers which optimizes traffic for each intersection and Provides timed traffic corridors down major streets
IP Cameras: Cameras are set up at major intersections. “Real” time traffic levels help signal coordination.
Vehicle Detectors: Vehicle sensors are embedded in the pavement or mounted above the freeway to provide: Vehicle volume, Speed, Traffic Counts, and Accurate time of traffic signals
Traffic Map: Computer generated map compiled with data is displayed by various colors for differing road conditions. This data gives a real-time picture of the current traffic speeds, construction areas, and access to view traffic cameras.
Changeable Message Sign (CMS): Electronic message sign capable of displaying real-time traffic information. Permanent CMS signs are installed on some freeways and managed by Caltrans. Portable CMS signs are used to help manage road construction.