A limited number of street lights are installed by Seminole County, primarily to eliminate a traffic safety problem correctable by enhanced visibility. Power companies will install street lighting for private citizens and HOA's who are willing to absorb certain costs. For additional information, contact your local power company.

Pedestrian signal indications are often misunderstood.  The walking person symbol indicates when it is okay to start crossing the intersection.  This walk time is usually only 4 to 7 seconds in length and depends on the number of pedestrians usually crossing.  The flashing hand lets pedestrians know that you should not start walking (do not leave the curb), but should finish crossing if already within the crosswalk.  This time varies and is based on the time it will take the pedestrian to cross from curb to curb at a conservative rate of 3.5 feet per second.  This means as long as you have left the curb during the walk indication, you have enough time to cross before vehicle traffic is allowed to proceed.  This last point is often confusing to pedestrians.  The solid hand indicates that pedestrians should not be in the crosswalk whatsoever.

The installation of a Traffic Signal does not prevent crashes.

An evaluation (signal warrant analysis) is conducted to determine if the installation of a traffic signal is warranted. Consideration for installation of a traffic signal include, but are not limited to:

a. How much traffic is there?
b. Are the high levels of traffic consistent throughout the day?
c. Are there pedestrians? Is this a pedestrian route for school children?
d. Is the street wide? Are there high speeds? Is it a busy thoroughfare?
e. Will the installation of the signal improve the traffic flow or create grid-lock with other nearby signals?

Once this data is collected, they are compared to standards as set forth in the M.U.T.C.D. (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices).

A properly placed signal can improve the safety and efficiency of traffic flow through an intersection. An unwarranted signal can be the source of danger and annoyance to all who use the intersection.

Click here to visit the Traffic Engineering web page.

At select intersections, blue confirmation lights have been installed.  These lights turn blue when the signal indication for that particular direction turns red.  This allows law enforcement the ability to monitor vehicles that may run the red light from any place within an intersection.  This tactic is intended to reduce the number of red-light running violations within the County, which contribute significantly to the number of crashes.  In order for an intersection to be equipped with these confirmation lights, a study must first be undertaken that demonstrates a red-light running crash history at the particular intersection.

Nearly all fire, rescue and ambulatory vehicles in Seminole County are equipped with transmitters that can pre-empt signals during an emergency.  The transmitters allow the vehicles to change the signal indications to green for their desired direction in order to travel to their destination quicker.  Once the vehicle passes through the intersection, the signal will return to normal operation within a few minutes.

This often occurs while waiting for a green light on the side street approach of a major intersection.  Most major corridors in Seminole County have coordinated signal systems to allow progression of vehicles on the major routes.  The downside of this progression is commonly the time that vehicles on the side street must wait.  The wait time can vary depending on time of day and day of week.  Since signal timings are commonly based on past traffic volume counts, there may be periods when there are no vehicles on the major route and vehicles waiting on the side streets.  This is all in an effort to provide the best quality of service for the majority of the vehicles while balancing the green times for all users.

It is a common myth that posting a lower speed limit sign will force drivers to slow down. Unfortunately, these speeding drivers are already ignoring the posted speed limit. To reduce the speed will only create conflict with a variety of speeds being traveled at the same time.

Traffic Engineering studies help to determine the prevailing speed of the majority of drivers using a certain street. Studies take into account crash data, traffic volumes, speeds traveled and road conditions to determine the appropriate speed limit.

Click here to visit the Traffic Engineering web page.

If a resident wants consideration for a special warning sign related to a specific disability, please submit "Request for Safety Warning Zone" form with acknowledgement from doctor.  Residents are also advised to inform if they move or if condition changes to where signs are no longer warranted.  Traffic Engineering can be reached at 407-665-5677.

STOP signs play an important role in traffic safety. However, under the wrong conditions or installed without meeting the justification proven through a Traffic Engineering study, traffic problems could be created.

Click here to visit the Traffic Engineering web page.

Children At Play Sign:  This signing is not recognized as an official traffic control device by the national, state, and local standards and posting such can promote a false sense of security to parents.

Dumping in itself is illegal and posting signing stating as such could be misunderstood that dumping is allowed where signing is not posted. Signing will not deter those whose violate the law. Report violators to Seminole County Code Enforcement at 407-665-6650.

Click here to visit the Traffic Engineering web page.