New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 16 - TRANSPORTATION
Chapter 47 - STATE HIGHWAY ACCESS MANAGEMENT CODE
Appendix G - TRAFFIC SIGNALS

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 18, September 16, 2024

G-1 General

a. Traffic signals are traffic control devices that may be incorporated into the design plans for an access application. Approval of an access permit that includes a new or modified traffic signal in the design does not guarantee that the Department will not modify or remove the traffic signal if future conditions warrant, as provided in the traffic signal electrical agreement. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted as requiring the Department to authorize a traffic signal at any location. The Department may grant the access as proposed with a traffic signal, require design modifications as deemed necessary, including elimination of the traffic signal from the design, restrict one or more turning movements to reduce impacts, or deny the access.

b. The construction of a driveway or street at or near a signalized intersection usually necessitates the installation of additional traffic signal equipment. The Department will review the application proposing additional equipment and will determine whether the additional equipment is sufficient. All approved equipment shall be installed in accordance with the Department's Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction and Standard Electrical Details under the Department's supervision. Traffic signal modification work and all electrical equipment shall be at the lot or site owner's expense.

G-2 Traffic Signal Study

a. Traffic signals may be approved by the Department during the application process. A study is required to be reviewed and approved by the Department for any proposed traffic signals, for revisions to existing traffic signals, or as required by the Department for operational analysis. The study shall be based on appropriate standards and manuals, which may include, but not be limited to, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the Highway Capacity Manual (MUTCD) (see N.J.A.C. 16:47 Appendix E for availability).

b. The study shall be completed and sealed by a New Jersey licensed professional engineer and shall include:

1. Consideration of all existing access locations and permitted future access locations, as well as advertised roadway and traffic signal improvements, for a distance of at least one traffic signal spacing standard in each direction. The Bureau of Major Access Permits should be contacted for this information at the address found at N.J.A.C. 16:47-9.5(g);

2. Substantiation that a traffic signal is warranted utilizing the criteria listed in the current MUTCD. The warrant analysis shall address all warrants and how the proposed location either satisfies or does not satisfy the criteria for each warrant. Satisfying a traffic signal warrant shall not guarantee Department approval to install a traffic signal;

3. Analysis of current traffic data assuming permitted developments are in place, based on their estimated build-out years;

4. Documentation that the location of the proposed traffic signal is consistent with the minimum spacing requirements for signalized intersections based on posted speed and cycle length. Information on existing signal cycle length can be obtained from the Bureau of Traffic Engineering;

5. A progression analysis, consistent with the requirements of this appendix, for a new traffic signal, or if existing traffic signals do not meet the minimum spacing requirements found in Table G-1, or if changes to phasing/timing of existing traffic signals are proposed without adding a new traffic signal;

6. Documentation of information, data, assumptions, adjustment factors, and reference sources;

7. Evaluation of the LOS and delays for all traffic movements, including a comparative analysis of existing, no-build, build, and build with mitigation. If project construction is to be phased, an analysis shall be done for each phase;

8. A summary that clearly indicates when LOS and delay standards are or are not met;

9. A safety evaluation, including the interaction of adjacent conflict points and movements, as well as curvature, profile, and sight lines; and

10. A conceptual design showing all geometric elements and dimensions with a detailed explanation of any design elements that may need an exception.

G-3 Location of Traffic Signals

a. The minimum spacing for traffic signals is shown in Table G-1. Traffic circles, roundabouts, and interchanges are treated the same as existing traffic signals when determining the location of a proposed signal. Where a proposed signal is located within the limits of an AMP, as designated in N.J.A.C. 16:47-12, the proposed traffic signal can be placed only at locations identified in the AMP.

b. The Department may designate optimal traffic signal location plans. In designating optimal locations for future traffic signals, the Department may apply Table G-1 in whichever direction along the State highway is deemed appropriate and may exclude locations where specific circumstances, as determined by the Department, preclude future signalization. Such plans will be incorporated by reference into this chapter.

TABLE G-1

G-4 Traffic Signal Progression Analysis

a. Where a new traffic signal is proposed for a State highway corridor or when existing traffic signals do not meet minimum signal spacing requirements or when changes to phasing/timing of existing signals are proposed without adding a new traffic signal, a traffic signal progression analysis is required to demonstrate that traffic will continue to move through the corridor efficiently. The progression analysis requires comparison of the calculated percentage through band width, that is based upon posted speed limits and existing cycle lengths for the segment involved, with the minimum through band width as found in Table G-2. The segment length to be analyzed for through band width shall be established by referencing the Department's Straight Line Diagram found at http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/ for the location of proximate signals along the corridor, in conjunction with signal timing information, including existing cycle lengths, obtained from the Bureau of Traffic Engineering. When a traffic impact study is required, the limits of the segment for analyzing band width shall not extend more than one traffic signal outside of the study area established for the traffic impact study, unless the existing area of progression extends further. In that case, the limits shall encompass the existing area of progression.

b. The progression analysis should include the following:

1. Documentation of information, data, and reference sources;

2. Accurate and legible diagrams; and

3. Documentation of all assumptions and adjustment factors.

Table G-2

MINIMUM THROUGH BAND WIDTH FOR STATE HIGHWAYS

Access classification may be determined by using N.J.A.C. 16:47 Appendix B-2 to find the cell number and then using N.J.A.C. 16:47 Appendix A to find the access classification related to that cell number for that segment of highway.

G-5 Traffic Signal Electrical Agreements

a. A cost-sharing traffic signal electrical agreement, independent of any developer agreement, will be prepared by the Bureau of Traffic Engineering for a new traffic signal or a change to an existing traffic signal that involves:

1. The addition of a new approach leg;

2. A new lot or site owner of a privately owned approach leg; or

3. A physical realignment of the approach to a different block and lot number.

b. Execution of a traffic signal electrical agreement shall be a condition of the access permit. It shall provide for the participation of the lot or site owner, the Department and any other parties involved, in the cost of installation, maintenance, and operation of any proposed traffic signal or traffic signal equipment. All parties to the traffic signal electrical agreement must sign the agreement before the traffic signal will be activated and put into operation. In addition, the traffic signal must be inspected by the Department prior to being put into operation.

G-6 Contact Information

Bureau of Traffic Engineering

New Jersey Department of Transportation

1035 Parkway Avenue

PO Box 600

Trenton, NJ 08625-0600

609-530-2600