Traffic Signal & Communication Shop

Purpose

The Traffic Signal & Communication Shop:
  • maintains traffic signals, pedestrian crossing signals, and flashing lights at school crossings throughout the city;
  • maintains the decorative City-owned street lights; and 
  • installs and maintains emergency light and communication equipment in City-owned vehicles.

Street Lights

Most street lights around Missoula are owned and maintained by NorthWestern Energy, but the Traffic Signal & Communication Shop maintains the newer decorative street lights downtown and in other areas around the city.

To report a burned out street light, call NorthWestern Energy at 1-888-467-2669, or use their online form.

Traffic Signals

The Traffic Signal & Communication Shop repairs and maintains:
  • 57 traffic signals within Missoula and 8 nearby signals, which are all owned and regulated by the Montana Department of Transportation through a maintenance contract,
  • 11 traffic signals owned by the City of Missoula, and
  • amber flashing lights at 23 school crossings.

Locations

Traffic signals are placed at a location only when that location meets specific requirements, which are detailed in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD is a Federal Highway Administration publication that all governmental entities involved with traffic signals, street signs, striping, and other road safety elements follow exactly to ensure roadway safety features are consistent throughout the United States.

Design
Traffic signals in Missoula vary in style because each is uniquely configured for its environment, and they were designed by a number of project engineers over the years as each was newly installed. Also, as new signals are installed or old ones are replaced, new designs and vehicle recognition technology are used.
  1. How do traffic signals work?
  2. How does a traffic signal sense cars?
  3. Why do some lights stay green when there are no cars present?
  4. How does an emergency vehicle, such as a fire truck or ambulance, change the signal to give them a green light in the direction they are traveling?
  5. Can I make a light change to green by flashing my headlights?
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