Will a lower speed limit help slow down traffic?

Contrary to popular belief, lowering speed limits and posting more speed limits signs will not cause drivers to drive slower and reduce accidents.

Research reveals that drivers are most influenced by roadway appearance, traffic, and weather conditions, NOT the posted speed limit.

Drivers are expected to know the BASIC speed limits of 15 miles per hour in alleys and 30 miles per hour on residential streets within the City of Amarillo. School zones are posted 20 miles per hour effective on school days only from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. If the school zone is controlled by electronic flashers, the speed limit and hours of operation may vary.

All other speed limits in Amarillo are established using Traffic Engineering surveys. The surveys analyze roadway conditions, accident records, and the prevailing speed of prudent drivers.

The prevailing speed of prudent drivers takes a radar sample of vehicle speeds and determines the speed at or below which 85% of the drivers are traveling. 

Studies have shown that where uniformity of speed is NOT maintained, traffic accidents increase. Realistic speed zoning serves to protect the public and to regulate the unreasonable behavior of an individual.

How are Speed Zones set?

Speed zones in Amarillo are set in accordance with Texas Law regarding the establishment of speed zones and based upon nationwide standard Traffic Engineering practice.

How are Speed Zones adjusted?

The Traffic Engineering Department continues to review and adjust speed zones in response to the changing traffic needs within the City of Amarillo.

If you have questions or comments regarding speed limits or traffic problems within city limits, email traffic@amarillo.gov.

Why are there not more stop and yield signs in my neighborhood?

Many intersections in Amarillo have no STOP or YIELD signs. They are regulated under the Transportation Code of Texas Traffic Laws Section 545.151(D)(1) which states that: A vehicle operator approaching an intersection not controlled by official traffic control devices shall stop, yield and grant immediate use of the intersection to traffic approaching the intersection from the operator’s right.

This is commonly referred to as the “Yield to the Right Rule”.

There are two exceptions to the rule: A “T” intersection where through street traffic has the right-of-way, and the intersection of a paved and unpaved roadway where the driver on the paved roadway has the right-of-way.

Low-volume residential streets operate best using the state’s yield-to-the-right rule stated above. This rule forces drivers to approach the intersection with more caution than would be necessary at STOP or YIELD controlled locations.

YIELD signs are considered at residential intersections where visibility is limited or accidents indicate a need to assign right-of-way, but vehicles do not have to stop at all times. Ordinarily the signs are placed on the street with the lower traffic volume.

STOP signs are considered at residential intersections where one or more of the following conditions exist:

• The intersection of a less important road with a main road where the “yield to the right rule” may be unduly hazardous.
• A street entering a through highway or street
• Where a combination of speed, restricted view, and accident record indicates a need for traffic control by STOP signs.

In most cases, two-way stop control is sufficient to define right-of-way. Four way stops are helpful only when traffic volumes are high and approximately equal on all 4 approaches. Locations that experience traffic volumes of at least 500 vehicles per hour for at least 8 hours of an average day may benefit from 4-way STOP control.

STOP and YIELD signs are used to assign right-of-way. They are not installed to divert traffic or control speeding. Studies have shown that the use of signs to control speed does not have the desired effect. Speeds may be reduced in the immediate vicinity of the signs, however speeds are usually higher between intersections than before the signs were installed. Unnecessary STOP and YIELD signs also increase air pollution, waste fuel, and create more neighborhood traffic noise.

Under the right conditions, STOP and YIELD signs play an important role in neighborhood traffic safety. However, the misuse of them as a driver nuisance, speed break, or traffic diverter causes drivers to violate them and develop a disrespect for all traffic control devices…resulting in more traffic accidents overall.

How do I request a review for signs?

If you feel there is a residential intersection which may need additional control based on the criteria listed here, email traffic@amarillo.gov.

Will a traffic signal make an intersection safer?

Occasionally, signal installation results in an increase in pedestrian accidents. Many pedestrians feel secure with a painted crosswalk and red light between them and approaching vehicles. However, drivers are not always so quick to recognize these "barriers".

When will a traffic signal help more than hurt? To answer this question correctly, Traffic Engineers must first ask and answer a number of other questions:

• Are there so many cars on both streets that signal control is necessary to clear up driver confusion or relieve traffic congestion?
• Is main street traffic so heavy that drivers on the side street try to cross when it is unsafe?
• Are there lots of pedestrians crossing a busy, main street?
  Does this result in confusing, congested, or hazardous conditions?
• Are there so many school children crossing the street that special controls are necessary for their protection? If so, is a traffic signal the best solution?
• Does an intersection’s accident history indicate that a signal will reduce the possibility of a collision?
• Will a traffic signal at this location help improve traffic flow and help drivers maintain a uniform pace without stopping unnecessarily?
• Can gridlock with a nearby signal be avoided?
• Is there a combination of the above conditions which indicates that a traffic signal will be an asset rather than a liability to safety?

To help answer these questions, Traffic Engineers compare existing conditions against minimum guidelines established from many years of study throughout the country. Where these guidelines (often called "warrants") are met, traffic signals generally operate effectively with good driver compliance. Where the guidelines are not met, driver compliance is reduced and more traffic hazards result.

A traffic signal installed at the right location can improve the flow traffic and reduce accident. However, a traffic signal placed unnecessarily or for the convenience of a few will be a source of danger and annoyance for all who use the intersection: pedestrians and drivers alike.

How do I submit an area for review?

The Traffic Engineering Department conducts traffic signal studies at intersections around the City of Amarillo on a regular basis using the guidelines discussed above. If you feel there is an intersection which may benefit from traffic signal control, email traffic@amarillo.gov.

Will more traffic signs help?

Traffic signs are an important part of the driver information system on streets and highways. Signs provide drivers with the information which makes the driving tasks easier and safer. This fact leads some people to believe that whenever more signs are put up, the streets are safer.

Traffic Engineers are frequently asked to place signs which confirm rules of the road or warn drivers of the obvious. This potential for the increase in unnecessary traffic signs has led to the establishment of nationwide standardized traffic signs and criteria for the installation of signs. Some of the most requested traffic signs are discussed below.

Speed Limit Signs: Alleys And Residential Streets   

All drivers are expected to know the basic speed limits of 15 miles per hour in alleys and 30 miles per hour on residential streets in Amarillo. Drivers realize when they are entering these areas and should adjust their speed accordingly. Studies have shown that posting speed limit signs as “reminders” does not deter speeding drivers.

“Children At Play” Signs      

Children playing is a condition drivers should reasonably expect to encounter in any residential neighborhood. Since children live on nearly every residential block, there would have to be signs on each street. Blocks with no signs might imply that children won’t be playing there, so caution is unnecessary.

Federal standards reject Children at Play sighs because they are a direct and open suggestion that playing in the street is acceptable behavior. Worst of all, the signs mislead parents and children to believe they have an added measure of protection which the signs cannot provide.

“No Parking” Signs     

“No Parking” signs are placed most often for traffic safety or movement. They alert drivers to areas where parking a vehicle may be hazardous or impede traffic flow.

“No Parking” signs are not ordinarily installed at crosswalks, intersections, moving traffic lanes, or fire hydrants. All drivers should know that parking in these areas is prohibited.

When considering traffic sign placement, traffic engineers must determine which signs are necessary based upon roadway conditions. The placement of too many signs or signs which are unnecessary teaches drivers to ignore all traffic control devices. Traffic signs uniformly and consistently placed fulfill a vital role in traffic safety.

If you have any questions about traffic sign placement, please call us at 806-378-6294 or email us at traffic@amarillo.gov.

Click the link below for residential driveway/parking permits and construction requirements.

◼ Driveway & Parking Manual

Traffic control plans need not be prepared or stamped by a professional engineer, nor must they be drawn to scale or on full-size plan sheets. HOWEVER, they must be prepared based on a review of actual field conditions, they must demonstrate that the preparer actually understands the stuff in “the book” (currently the Texas MUTCD) and the stuff that’s not in the book because it comes with experience, and they must communicate clearly to the crew that will be doing the setup. If you have any doubts about your qualifications in this field, be a responsible professional and delegate this work to a specialist; if not, here are some important items you should include:

1. State the type of work being done.
2. Identify relevant parties such as a developer; agency, general contractor, traffic control contractor, preparer of traffic control plans, etc. include contact information, including a 24-hour number for whoever is responsible for traffic control.
3. State the expected project duration. 
4. State the traffic control hours. (Be aware that work hours are different from traffic control hours – no activities of any kind that might affect traffic can occur outside the approved traffic control hours.) Traffic control shall comply with Texas MUTCD. 
5. Traffic control shall comply with Texas MUTCD or referencing typical drawings contained in this manual.   
6. If work will entail excavation, note on plan that DigAlert shall be notified at least two working days prior to excavating. 
7. Show a north arrow 
8. If plan is to scale, identify the scale. 
9. Label street names and try to spell them correctly.
10. Show dimensions as appropriate. This may or may not include right of way, sidewalk, median, etc. 
11. Double-check and clearly define all tapers. Most design problems relate to tapers, so this is your opportunity to demonstrate that you know your stuff. 
12. Traffic control should be designed for existing prevailing speeds, which may typically be approximated by the posted speed limit.   
13. Identify any conflicting signs or markings that must be covered.
14. Identify special measures for any night-time traffic control.
15. If temporary parking restrictions are necessary, state that appropriate signs shall be posted 72 hours in advance.
16. Most arterial streets in Amarillo have Class II bike lanes. In the event hat No. 2 travel lane must be closed, the cones should typically be placed 4’ offset from the lane line to provide a relocated bike lane. 
17. If a lane is being closed downstream of an intersection, determine if it is necessary to close or modify any upstream lanes (remember to check for dual turn lanes turning into single receiving lanes). 
18. If traffic control will span a City boundary, show the boundary. 
19. Include general notes as appropriate, beginning with standard notes that can be furnished by the City Traffic Engineer upon request. Here are a few, just to serve as examples:

◼ Traffic control shall conform to the latest edition of the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 

◼ All traffic control devices shall be kept in their proper positions at all times and shall be repaired, replaced, or cleaned as necessary to preserve their appearance and continuity. 

◼ Channelizing devices shall be either 28” cones or 39” tubular markers. 

◼ Channelizing devices spacing shall be __ feet on tapers, __ feet on tangents, and __ feet on radii. 

◼ All open excavation or construction work shall be a minimum of five feet from any operating traffic lanes where possible. 

20. Traffic control plans shall be submitted to the Traffic Engineering Department for review and acceptance prior to implementation.   

Click here for the vehicle intersection counts.