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Department of Public Works

Traffic Operations and Planning

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.

Featured Project – Active Transportation Plan

The Fresno Active Transportation Plan (ATP) is a comprehensive guide outlining the vision for active transportation in the City of Fresno and a roadmap for achieving that vision.  The ATP can be downloaded by clicking the following link: Active Transportation Plan.

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

Street Lighting

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 Cable

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 Controller

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 Camera

IP Cameras: Cameras are set up at major intersections. “Real” time traffic levels help signal coordination.

Radar

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

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

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.

Traffic Map

Street Work Permit

Street Work Permits are used to allow construction work in the public right-of-way. They includes, but not limited to, work such as:

  • Sewer Lateral installation or repair
  • Drive Approach installation or repair
  • Landscaping with in the right-of-way
  • Street Improvements
  • Sidewalk installation or repair
  • Curb and Gutter work

These permits are issued to licensed contractors only. Typically, a plan showing the work proposed is required, as well as fees and surety to ensure the proper completion of the work.

In order to obtain a Street Work Permit, you will need:

  • Contractor’s License
  • Proof of General Liability Insurance
  • Proof of Automobile Liability Insurance
  • Proof of Workers Compensation Insurance
  • Signed Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement
  • $25,000 Street work and Excavation Bond

Example of requirements in pdf format 

For more information, call (559) 621-8800